What is Prep for Pro?

Last modified 6/9/2025 3:12:42 AM EST

When tax professionals sign up with TaxBandits, we recommend configuring a few key settings to ensure a smoother filing experience. 

This step isn't mandatory, but we highly recommend going through it, especially if you manage multiple clients or work with a team. If you prefer to complete this later, you can do so by navigating to ‘Account Settings’.

Why is this recommended?

Prep for Pro is about more than just getting started—it's about setting up your account to run efficiently throughout tax season and beyond. 

• A structured workflow that’s easier to manage during peak filing periods
• Better collaboration across your team
• Faster filings with all client data preloaded
• A consistent brand experience for your clients and recipients

What can you configure in Prep for Pro?

Here’s a breakdown of each setting available in the Prep for Pro setup:

Team Management

If you work with a team, this step lets you add members to your TaxBandits account and assign them roles based on their responsibilities. You can define who can prepare filings, who can approve them, and who can transmit them.

This allows you to:

• Reduce bottlenecks by sharing the workload
• Maintain clear access controls and responsibilities
• Streamline collaboration across your staff

It’s ideal for firms with multiple preparers or support staff handling filings at scale.

Client (Payer) Management

Adding payer information up front allows you to begin filing forms for them without delays.

You’ll be able to:

• Add EINs, business names, and contact details for each client
• Import payers in bulk using a CSV template, your own file, or simply copy and paste data
• You can also import payers from Zoho Books, FreshBooks, Xero, and QuickBooks.

If you're managing filings for several businesses or individuals, this step keeps your client data organized and ready.

Print Settings

Before you generate or send form copies, you can configure how those forms appear when printed or saved as PDFs.

This setting allows you to:

• Choose the layout (1UP, 2UP, etc.)
• Customize the PDF format (Single, Consolidated or Perforated)

Setting this up ensures your printed forms are consistent, clean, and professional, whether you’re distributing them by mail or saving them for internal records.

Email Customization

Every email that goes out to your clients or recipients—whether it’s a filing confirmation, a signature request, or a portal invite—can be branded with your firm’s identity.

This includes customizing sender name and ‘From’ email address

Branded emails help reinforce trust and create a polished communication experience throughout the filing season.

Client Portal Customization

This step helps you set up a branded, secure online portal for your clients. Through this portal, your clients can:

• Review and approve filings
• Upload or download supporting documents
• View their filing history and current status

You can customize the portal with your logo, firm name, and secure access settings to deliver a unified and professional digital experience for your clients.

Online Access Portal Customization

This portal is for recipients, such as employees or contractors, who need to access their tax forms (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) securely online.

With this feature, you can:

• Offer a secure way for recipients to retrieve their copies
• Add your firm’s branding to the access page
• Reduce reliance on mail distribution

This not only improves recipient satisfaction but also lowers distribution costs and errors.