Masking confidential information (SSN, EIN, and PTIN) on client tax returns

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By default, UltraTax CS conceals (blocks out) sensitive information on a client's tax return, such as the Social Security number (SSN), Preparer Tax Identification number (PTIN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), bank account numbers, and dates of birth. This information is hidden on the client and preparer collations of the tax return when previewed, printed to paper or PDF, or when stored digitally in FileCabinet CS or GoFileRoom (if licensed), and the selected items are also hidden on filing instructions, statements, letters, and any other documents that include the confidential information. 

Changing masking options

To hide or reveal the SSN, PTIN, EIN, bank information, or dates of birth on a tax return, complete the following steps.

Note: These options apply to all clients and preparers assigned to the current office profile. 

  1. Choose Setup > Office Configuration and click the Print Options tab.
  2. Mark or clear the  Field masking applies to checkboxes for the following items. These options are marked by default. 
    • SSNs/PTINs
    • EINs (##-###1234)
    • Bank Numbers
    • Dates of birth
  3. Click Done to close the Office Configuration dialog. 

Printing returns with masked fields

To print the client or preparer copy of a tax return with the selected field data hidden, complete the following steps. 

  1. Choose File > Print Returns.
  2. Mark the  Client copy and/or  Preparer copy checkbox and verify that  Client copy with field masking or Preparer copy with field masking are selected in the adjacent drop-down lists. 

    Note: You can simultaneously print any combination of preparer and client copies with masked or unmasked fields, such as both copies with masking, one copy with masking and one without, and so on.

  3. Use the checkboxes provided to choose the print destinations for the selected clients and items. 
  4. Click Print. 

When masked, the selected fields will only display the last four numbers:

  • SSNs/PTINs (###-##-1234)
  • EINs (##-###1234)
  • Bank Numbers (######1234)
  • Dates of birth (**/**/2000)

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