Tracking and retrieving eSignature documents

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After sending eSignature documents to your clients with a client organizer or a business organizer or with the client's tax return, you can do the following:

  • Track eSignature progress via the eSignature Status Live section of the UltraTax CS Home Page
  • Retrieve updated eSignatures via CS Connect
  • Review Form 8879 eSignature status via the ELF Status dialog (1040 only)

Tracking eSignature documents

To check the status of an eSignature document that you've sent to a client, review the eSignature Transmission Status - Live section of the UltraTax CS Home Page. 

  1. In UltraTax CS, click the Home Page button in the upper-right.
  2. Click the eSignature Status Live link in the left column on the Home Page.
  3. On the eSignature Transmission Status - Live page, you can review a list of all eSignature documents previously transmitted by your office. This list includes the client ID, name, originator at your firm who transmitted the eSignature (typically a preparer, reviewer, or other staff member), the application (1040, 1120, etc.), the associated entity type (organizer, return, etc.), the date of the transmission, and the current status of each document at the Thomson Reuters data center.

Notes

  • Click the column headings (Client IDNameOriginator, and so on) to sort the list by the selected column. For example, to view all eSignature documents transmitted by a specific preparer, click the Originator column heading.
  • Use the search fields under each column heading to search the list for a keyword within that column. For example, to find a particular client in the list, enter the client's name in the search field under the Name heading. 
  • Use the drop-down lists at the top of the ProductType, and Status at Thomson Reuters data center columns to restrict the list to a specific entity, by Return or Organizer, or by the status of the transmitted eSignature documents. For example, to view only those eSignature documents that the client declined, choose Declined from the drop-down list in the Status at Thomson Reuters data center column.
  • To recall a document transmitted for eSignature, click the [Revoke] link next to the desired document in the Status at Thomson Reuters data center column. This link is available only when the status of a document is "Electronic Signature Sent." Once a client has signed or declined to sign that document, you can no longer recall that document. There is no fee for revoking eSignature document, and you will not be charged for transmission if you successfully revoke a document.

Retrieving eSigned documents via CS Connect

After a client completes the eSignature process, you will receive an email notification and can confirm the status as "Electronic Signature eSigned" in the Status at Thomson Reuters data center column of the eSignature Transmission Status - Live section of the Home Page. You can retrieve the signed documents via CS Connect.

  1. Choose Utilities > CS Connect or click the CS Connect button in the toolbar to open the CS Connect dialog.
  2. Verify that the Retrieve updated eSignature status and documents checkbox is marked in the Purpose of this call group box. 
  3. Click the Connect button. 

Notes

  • To see the destination of the signed documents, choose Setup > Office Configuration and click the eSignature tab.
  • If you cannot locate the signed documents, retrieve the documents again by choosing Help > Repair. In the Repair dialog, click on the client so that it is highlighted, and then click the Retrieve eSign Info button.

Reviewing Form 8879 eSignature status (1040 only)

You can check the status of Forms 8879 sent to clients for electronic signatures via the Electronic Filing Status dialog.

  1. Choose Utilities > Electronic Filing Status or click the Electronic Filing Status button on the toolbar.
  2. Review the information in the Signature Document column to check the status of the Forms 8879 you previously transmitted to clients for eSignatures.

    Notes

    • To sort the list in this dialog or filter a column according to the entries in that column, click any column heading.
    • The possible status values displayed in this column are ESign Sent, To Sign, ESigned, ESign Failed, ESign Declined, or Paper Signed and Returned.
  3. Click Close to exit the Electronic Filing Status dialog. 

Viewing eSignature status events

To view the eSignature status events that UltraTax CS logged for the open client, click the down-arrow on the Client Status button Client Status button in the toolbar and move your mouse over a particular date to see the events logged on that date.

  • Electronic Signature Sent: Indicates that you have sent documents such as the Individual Engagement Letter to the client for electronic signature via CS Connect. 
  • Electronic Signature Failed: 1040 only - Indicates that the Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) process failed to verify the client's identity. You can either obtain a handwritten signature, or reassemble the eSignature document and send it to the client again. The KBA process can be attempted three times before a handwritten signature is required. 
  • ESigned: Indicates that the client successfully completed the electronic signature process. 
  • Electronic Signature Declined: Indicates that the electronic signature was not completed by the client. This can be the result of a few different situations, which are explained as follows:
    • Expired: Indicates that the electronic signature document was not signed within the allotted time limit.
    • Revoked: Indicates that the electronic signature document was recalled by a preparer or other staff member by clicking the [Revoke] link on the eSignature Status Live section of the UltraTax CS Home Page. 
    • Authentication failure: Indicates that the client did not correctly enter the last four digits of their Social Security Number. Verify that the SSN was entered correctly in Screen 1040 (for 1040 returns), in Screen Contact (for 1120, 1065, and 1041 returns), or the Officer Information Window (for 990 returns) and that the client email address is accurate.
    • If no other reason is included, the client clicked the Decline Signature button. If the client entered a reason for declining the signature, UltraTax CS includes that reason in the logged events drop-down list.

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