What is Online Access?
Online Access is a recipient copy distribution service that enables employers/payers to instantly share recipient copies through a secure online portal.
Key points to remember
- The Online Access emails will be sent at 10:00 PM (EST) on the order completion date.
- If there are any TIN validation errors, the Online Access emails will be put on hold until the errors are fixed or the forms are transmitted, whichever happens first.
How does it work?
- Enable Online Access: To enable Online Access while preparing tax forms, navigate to the Form Distribution page. There, you can enable Online Access. If you wish to enable it after transmitting, simply navigate to the ‘Online Access’ menu.
- Recipient Notification: After transmitting the return, an email will be sent to recipients with a secure portal link.
- Recipient Verification: Upon clicking the link, recipients are prompted to enter their email address and the last four digits of their TIN for verification.
- Recipient Consent: Recipients must provide consent before accessing their tax forms electronically through the portal, as required by law. Once consent is granted, they can view and download their form copies anytime, from anywhere.
Why is the recipient’s consent needed for online access? According to the guidelines outlined in IRS Publication 1179, recipients must provide consent to receive their form(s) electronically. If consent is not granted, a paper copy must be provided. To learn how to enable the online access feature in TaxBandits, click here. Recipients have the flexibility to revoke their consent at any time. If consent is revoked, payers are notified immediately. |
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