2023 Tax Filing Guide

Portal or Paper Policy

We have adopted a “portal or paper” policy. Any documents or information you need to send us should be uploaded to our secure portal, dropped off at the office, or sent to us in the mail. As your tax professional, we must abide by rules and regulations to protect your personal and financial information. Documents and information delivered via email and or through the use of password protected files is not safe. For your security, we will no longer accept or send documents via email.

Note on Dependents

If you have dependents who need to file tax returns, we strongly recommend you ask PTC to prepare them. This will allow proper coordination of tax deductions and credits available to taxpayers with dependents.

For example, education expenses like Tuition (1098-T) and Student Loan Interest (1098- E) can be deductions for students claimed on their parents’ tax return.  Therefore, Forms 1098-T and 1098-E should be uploaded to the parents’ file and be processed on the parents’ tax return. If the student files their own return, there is potential to lose these tax advantages if their return is not filed properly.

To get started, login into the Secure Portal here

  • Sign into your client portal. If you have forgotten your password, click on “Forgot Password” on the login page and follow the steps to reset your password. If you are a New Client, please activate your portal account through the invitation email or click “Forgot Password”. If the email address you are using to activate matches the address we have on file, you will get an email to choose your password.
  • E-Sign the Engagement Letter. This will be located on the HOME page of your portal as an item “Waiting for Action”. You can also find it in PROPOSALS & ELs from the left menu bar. Review the contents of the engagement letter, click in the e-sign field at the bottom, then enter your name. Click inside the I agree to the terms above checkbox, then click SIGN. For couples filing jointly, the Engagement Letter will not be complete until both parties sign.
  • Complete the Client Questionnaire. This will also be located on the HOME page of your portal as an item “Waiting for Action”. You can also find it in ORGANIZERS from the left menu bar. You will have a Return Client Questionnaire if you are a current client. You will have a New Client Questionnaire if you are a new client. We are required to collect this information from you to prepare your return in the most accurate manner possible.
  • Provide all TAX FORMS via the secure portal, drop them off at the office or mail them to the office. Review forms received to make sure you aren’t missing any! There is no way for PTC to know if you are missing forms. Please note the Sources of Income and Deductions checklists within the Questionnaire to help you gather your tax documents.

Let us know when you have submitted all your documents AND completed the questionnaire by sending us an email, portal message or phone call.

Once we have received all your documents, signed engagement letter, and completed questionnaire, our goal is to complete your return in 10 business days or less.

  • We will contact you with questions or missing documents.
  • We will contact you with the results of your return.
  • We will contact you when your return is ready for signing.
  • Sign for your return either in our office or using e-signature. We can mail you documents for your signature for an additional $10 mailing fee.
  • Pay for your services either in office or by paying an invoice located in the Billing section of your portal.
  • Once you have signed for your return and paid your tax preparation fee, we will electronically file your return. All returns will be e-filed within 72 hours after signing and payment.
  • If your return is rejected, we will contact you ASAP. Otherwise, your return has been filed and accepted!
  • If you had refund, watch your bank account for your deposit. You can track the progress of your federal refund here.
  • If you owed taxes, follow-up with your payments. You can mail in a check/money order along with a paper payment coupon OR you can pay online. Check here for online payment instructions.
  • Download or save a copy of your return from the Secure Portal (or file your paper copy for safekeeping).