FAQs – How to Use SafeSend Returns

Doeren Mayhew partners with SafeSend Returns to automate the delivery, review and signature of tax returns. User-friendly and highly secure, SafeSend Returns easily allows those who qualify to manage their tax return, e-sign returns, get estimated tax payment reminders and pay taxes all in one convenient spot online from anywhere, at any time.

How It Works

Individuals

1. You will receive an email from Doeren Mayhew with a from address of noreply@safesendreturns.com.

2. The email will contain a safe link for you to access your tax return.

3. After clicking on the link, you will be asked to enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number to review your return.

4. SafeSend Returns will email you an access code to further verify your identity. Check your spam or junk folders if you don’t see it in your inbox. You must enter the code with 10 minutes of receipt. If you don’t enter the code within 10 minutes, you can request another.

5. When you are ready to sign your e-file authorization form(s), you’ll be asked to verify your birth date and answer three out of five questions to verify your identity.

6. Once you have signed the e-file authorization form(s), your Doeren Mayhew professional will be notified and will complete the e-filing process.

Watch this quick video to view the process from beginning to end.

Businesses

1. You will receive an email from Doeren Mayhew with a from address of noreply@safesendreturns.com.

2. The email will contain a safe link for you to access your tax return.

3. After clicking on the link, you will be asked to request an access code.

4. SafeSend Returns will email you an access code to further verify your identity. Check your spam or junk folders if you don’t see it in your inbox. You must enter the code with 10 minutes of receipt. If you don’t enter the code within 10 minutes, you can request another.

5. Once you have signed the e-file authorization form(s), your Doeren Mayhew professional will be notified and will complete the e-filing process.

Watch this quick video to view the process from beginning to end.

Frequently Asked Questions

About SafeSend Returns

Will I receive a notification when my return is ready for signing?
Yes! Email notifications regarding your return will come from noreply@safesendreturns.com or noreply@safesend.com.

How is this different from e-filing?
SafeSend Returns allows you to sign your e-file authorization form(s) electronically, but it won’t submit your return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Once signed, Doeren Mayhew is automatically notified, and your tax professional will complete the filing process for you, including submission to the IRS.

Accessing SafeSend

Where do the identity verification questions come from? What if I don’t remember the answer?
The questions SafeSend Returns ask are knowledge-based questions pulled from government and credit sources. You may be asked where you lived in a given year, when you bought your car or home, etc. If you don’t remember the answers to the questions or answer incorrectly, you won’t be able to sign your e-file authorization form(s) electronically. If you run into this situation, please contact us.

Is it safe to enter my Social Security number?
Yes. SafeSend Returns is a secure platform for viewing and signing your e-file authorization form(s). Look for HTTPS:// at the beginning of the site URL and a locked padlock symbol in your browser’s URL bar to confirm you’re using a secure site.

Will this work on any internet-connected device? Does SafeSend Returns offer an app for my smartphone?
You can complete this process on any computer, smartphone or tablet via a web browser. Currently, there’s no SafeSend Returns app.

Can I access SafeSend Returns using any internet browser?
For the best experience, we recommend using Google Chrome.  It will also work with Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Using SafeSend Returns

My spouse and I file our return jointly – how can we both sign the e-file authorization form(s)?

• • • • If both spouses have an email address on file, each will receive an email with a link to view the return, answer identity verification questions and sign the e-file authorization form(s).
      • If only one spouse has an email address on file, that spouse will first receive the link with identity verification questions specific to him/her.
        • He/she will sign the e-file authorization form(s) then enter an email address for the second spouse.
        • The second spouse will receive the email link with identity verification questions specific to him/her and sign the form(s).
      • If a couple shares an email address, you’ll receive an email with identity verification questions specific to one spouse.
        • After he/she answers the identity verification questions and signs the e-file authorization form(s), he/she can enter the shared email address again.
        • A new link will send to the shared email address with identity verification questions specific to the second spouse/signer. He/she will answer the identity verification questions, then sign the form(s).

Can I set up reminders for my quarterly estimated payments?
If estimated payments are included in your review copy, you’ll automatically receive an email reminder 14 days before your payment is due. If you choose to turn off email notifications, you won’t receive reminders for the remainder of the tax year.

If I need a copy of my return in a couple of years, how can I access it?
Your tax return will be available through SafeSend Returns for seven years. You can click on any link in any email from SafeSend Returns.  It doesn’t matter how old the e-mail is.  You will receive a link with an access code from noreply@safesendreutrns.com.

After signing my e-file authorization form(s), will I receive confirmation that it successfully sent to Doeren Mayhew?
Yes. Once you sign your e-file authorization form(s), you’ll receive an email stating it was successful. The email will also include a link to download a copy of your tax return for your records.

What is Signer Delegation?
Signer delegation allows someone other than the signer to review a tax return, then delegate the signature to the person authorized to sign the e-file authorization forms.  This is most commonly used with business returns where a CFO or Controller reviews a return, but the signer is a different person, such as the CEO.

Can I send K-1’s to recipients through SafeSend Returns?
After you sign the return, you will be given the opportunity to either securely e-mail the recipients directly once you’ve edited their details, or you can download and print the K-1’s to mail yourself. Check out this quick tutorial on how it works.

How do I track my return?
Within 24 hours of Doeren Mayhew e-filing your return, you’ll be able to track the status of your return here.

When is the deadline to sign my e-file authorization form(s) via SafeSend Returns?
The deadline to sign your e-file authorization form(s) aligns with the due date of your applicable tax return.

Additional Questions

What if I don’t receive an email with my access code?
Check your spam or junk email folders. If you don’t enter the code within the 10-minute time limit, request another.

I have questions. Who do I contact?
Please contact your engagement shareholder with any questions related to your tax returns.