Signature control settings apply to the entire firm and are defined by a System Administrator. They change what signature controls the user can access while processing an extension. This guide will help you understand the available options.
A system administrator starts by choosing one of three options that can be set separately for individual extension packages or entity extension packages. They are:
- Allow e-signatures on extensions (for authorities that support them).
- Restrict extensions to a review only state. Users cannot apply signature controls.
- Begin extensions in a review only state but allow users to place signature controls when needed.
The impact of these settings is described in more detail below. To learn how to change the setting for your organization, please see Configuring signature control settings for the firm.
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While reading about the options below, keep in mind that ERO Signature Stamps are only available if they are enabled and configured in SafeSend.
When e-signatures are allowed for 1040 or Business & Trust Returns, users who process an extension can choose between E-Sign or Manual Sign for the taxpayer in Delivery Options. Review Extension is not an available option.
Important
If a user changes the Delivery Options setting from E-Sign to Manual Sign, all e-sign controls will be removed from the forms. Changing the extension back to E-Sign will return previously recognized controls.
E-sign selected in Delivery Options
When the taxpayer is expected to e-sign, users will get the following options for placing signature controls in the Filing Forms and Additional E-Sign Documents tabs:
Filing Forms
- Recognized forms and vouchers appear in the left panel.
- Clicking on a recognized form shows the appropriate controls in the right panel.
- Users can edit recognized forms and change whether taxpayer signatures are required or designate the form as a voucher.
- If the user changes a form to require signatures:
- A Taxing Authority and Form Name must be entered in the pop-up.
- Signature controls are available in the right panel and can be placed on the form.
- The ERO stamp control becomes available in the right panel and can be placed on the form.
- If the user changes a form to indicate it is a voucher:
- A Taxing Authority, Payment Type, and other details must be entered in the pop-up.
- The ERO stamp control becomes available in the right panel and can be placed on the form.
- The Voucher Details section becomes available in the right panel and can be adjusted.
Additional E-Sign Documents
Any documents uploaded to the Additional E-Sign Documents tab have the following options available:
- Signature controls are available and can be placed on uploaded documents.
- The ERO stamp control is available and can be placed on uploaded documents.
Manual Sign selected in Delivery Options
When the taxpayer is expected to manually sign, users will get the following options for placing signature controls in the Filing Forms and Additional E-Sign Documents tabs:
Filing Forms
- Recognized forms and vouchers appear in the left panel.
- Controls for signatures are not available, since the user is expected to manually sign. Only the ERO stamp can be placed on the form.
- Clicking on a recognized voucher shows the appropriate controls in the right panel.
- Users can edit recognized forms and adjust whether taxpayer signatures are required or if the form is a voucher.
- If the user indicates that the form requires signatures:
- A Taxing Authority and Form Name must be entered in the pop-up.
- Controls for signatures are not available, since the user is expected to manually sign. Only the ERO stamp can be placed on the form.
- If the user indicates that the form is a voucher:
- A Taxing Authority, Payment Type, and other details must be entered in the pop-up.
- Only the ERO stamp control becomes available in the right panel and can be placed on the form.
- The Voucher Details section becomes available in the right panel and can be adjusted.
Additional E-Sign Documents
Uploaded documents have the following options available:
- Only the ERO stamp control is available in the right panel and can be placed on uploaded documents.
Review Extension Only is typically enabled when the firm wants strict control over how users edit forms in extension packages. When enabled, users processing an extension only see the Review Extension option selected in Delivery Options. The E-Sign and Manual Sign options are not available.
Filing Forms
- Recognized forms and vouchers appear in the left panel.
- Controls for signatures are not available, since the extension is Review Only. Only the ERO stamp can be placed on the form.
- Clicking on a recognized voucher will show appropriate controls in the right panel.
- Users can edit recognized forms and specify if the form is a voucher. They cannot specify that a form requires taxpayer signatures.
- If the user indicates that the form is a voucher:
- A Taxing Authority, Payment Type, and other details must be entered in the pop-up.
- Only the ERO stamp control becomes available in the right panel and can be placed on the form.
- The Voucher Details section becomes available in the right panel and can be adjusted.
Additional E-Sign Documents
Uploaded documents have the following options available:
- Only the ERO stamp control is available in the right panel and can be placed on uploaded documents.
To provide the greatest flexibility for signature controls to users, the firm can enable Allow user to place signature control when applicable. This setting can only be turned on if Review Extensions Only is selected for the firm.
When placing signature controls is enabled, Review Extension is selected by default in Delivery Options. The user can, however, manually change it to E-Sign, Manual Sign, or back to Review Extension.
If the user manually changes the Delivery Options to E-Sign, Manual Sign, or Review Extension, the same signature controls as listed in the sections above become available.
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When place signature controls is enabled, if the user adds a signature control to a form, SafeSend will automatically switch the extension package to E-Sign in Delivery Options.
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