Take The Guesswork Out Of Working Together.

Prospective Clients

Schedule your 15-minute Initial Consultation.

This meeting is to see if we are best suited to work together. No specific tax matters will be discussed, and no tax advice will be given.

Upload your prior year tax returns via our secure link.

Meet with Kat to review your tax needs and estimate your price for services.

New Clients

  1. Review and sign our engagement letter.
  2. If not already done so, upload all pages of your last IRS and State tax filings by replying to our email request to create an account in our portal.
  3. Upload color copies of a valid photo ID, so we can verify your identity (as well as your spouse, if applicable).
  4. Answer our compliance questions and submit your responses.
  5. Upload all your current year tax forms and information, including birthdates of any dependents if applicable. Let us know when you’re done by emailing team@whitneyandassociates.org
  6. We’ll process your return based on the tax information you provide. Our team will communicate via email (team@whitneyandassociates.org) should we have questions, require additional documents or information.
  7. Once your returns are complete, SmartVault will email you that your invoice is in your Client Documents folder ready for review.
  8. Pay the tax preparation fee, and SmartVault will email you when the paid invoice is added to your Client Documents folder.
  9. SmartVault will then send email notification that your draft return is in your Client Tax Return and Questionnaire folder and ready for review.
  10. Schedule a 30-minute meeting as a New Client with Kat to review and ensure we have captured and reported everything correctly.

  11. DocuSign will send an email for you to download your returns and examine for accuracy and completion. The downloaded return is a valid final copy of your returns with a watermark ‘Do Not File’.

  12. Electronically sign your federal and state returns via DocuSign KBA (knowledge-based authorization), authorizing us to e-file your returns.

  13. We will file and wait for acceptance (1 – 5 days, but usually faster).

  14. Once your returns have been electronically accepted, we’ll upload a copy watermarked ‘Client Copy’ to your Client Tax Return and Questionnaire folder in your SmartVault portal – where you can access anytime. SmartVault will email to let you know they are there.

  15. You’re all complete!

Current Clients

  1. Thoroughly read our annual email that is sent in January announcing the opening of the tax season.

  2. Review and sign our engagement letter before you proceed with uploading tax documents. This notifies us you are an active customer using our services for the current year. Download the engagement letter here.

  3. Answer our compliance questions and submit your responses.

  4. Login to your portal to review your tax organizer in your Client Organizer folder.

  5. Upload your current year tax documents by March 20th to ensure we can file you by the deadline. Let us know when you’re done by emailing team@whitneyandassociates.org

  6. We’ll process your return based on the tax information you provide. Our team will communicate via email (team@whitneyandassociates.org) should we have questions, require additional documents or information.

  7. Once your returns are complete, SmartVault will email you that your invoice is in your Client Documents folder ready for review.

  8. Pay the tax preparation fee, and SmartVault will email you when the paid invoice is added to your Client Documents folder.

  9. SmartVault will then send email notification that your draft return is in your Client Tax Return and Questionnaire folder and ready for review.

  10. Review options:
    a. Review draft and email team@whitneyandassociates.org with any questions, or let them know the returns are ready for filing.

    b. Schedule a 20-minute meeting with Kat to review as a Returning Client (if questions, changes expected in the upcoming year, or upon our office request).

  11. DocuSign will send an email for you to download your returns and examine for accuracy and completion. The downloaded return is a valid final copy of your returns with a watermark ‘Do Not File’.

  12. Electronically sign your federal and state returns via DocuSign KBA (knowledge-based authorization), authorizing us to e-file your returns.

  13. We will file and wait for acceptance (1 – 5 days, but usually faster).

  14. Once your returns have been electronically accepted, we’ll upload a copy watermarked ‘Client Copy’ to your Client Tax Return and Questionnaire folder in your SmartVault portal – where you can access anytime. SmartVault will email to let you know they are there.

  15. You’re all complete!