SurePrep’s Outsource Services

SurePrep’s outsourced tax preparation services can help your firm prepare more returns without adding staff. Whether your firm is looking to grow its practice or simply combat workload compression, our full-time staff of trained professionals is here to provide year-round assistance.

Our team prepares 1040s, 1041s, and business tax return Forms 990, 1065, 1120, and 1120S. The turnaround time for 1040s and 1041s with fewer than 250 pages is 3 business days. Our expedited processing option is 1 business day.

We can prepare returns for firms that use the following tax software: CCH Axcess™ Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, Lacerte, and UltraTax CS.

How SurePrep Outsourcing Works:

1. Your firm scans all source documents for a return and submits them to SurePrep, along with the proforma tax file and any notes for the preparer.
2. Our staff prepares the return using SPbinder and your firm’s tax software.
3. We deliver the tax file to your firm, along with the bookmarked, indexed, and annotated workpapers.
4. Your firm reviews the fully prepared workpapers using SPbinder. The cloud-based Notes features lets you collaborate with the SurePrep preparer on any outstanding items. Our staff engages in as much back-and-forth as necessary until the return is finalized.
5. Your firm signs off on the finalized return and delivers it to the taxpayer.

Why outsource tax preparation to SurePrep?

Ironclad security protocols

The security of taxpayer information is as important to us as it is to you. SurePrep has been tested and validated by Whistic. All SurePrep data centers and cloud services are SOC 2 Type 2 and SSAE 16/18 certified. Our servers are managed by SurePrep staff and hosted in restricted access IBM data centers in Dallas, San Jose, and Washington D.C. Our processes have passed independent security reviews conducted by our Big 4 client firms.

To ensure that client information does not leave an outsourcing facility, our preparers process returns in a paperless environment without internet access. Workstations only provide inputs for the keyboard, mouse, and screen. There are no USB ports, optical drives, or floppy disk readers. Work areas are closely surveilled and no mobile devices are permitted. All Outsource staff sign comprehensive non-disclosure agreements.

Onshore and offshore availability

SurePrep offers both onshore and offshore preparation. Our onshore facility is located in Irvine, California and our offshore facility is located in Mumbai, India. Both locations are owned by SurePrep and staffed by SurePrep employees who adhere to the same training requirements and strict security protocols. Whether you choose onshore or offshore, you’ll enjoy the same turnaround time and high accuracy.

There are only three notable differences between onshore and offshore services:

1. Offshore services are more cost-effective.
2. Offshore services for 1040 returns require 7216 consent.* Offshore services for business returns do not require 7216 consent.
3. Business tax returns are only available as an offshore service. (Both onshore and offshore facilities process 1040s and 10401s.)

*Section 7216 requires that firms obtain a taxpayer’s signed consent in two scenarios for 1040 returns. Firstly, if your firm plans to use the taxpayer’s information to provide any services besides tax preparation, such as financial advising. And secondly, if your firm plans to disclose taxpayer information to a party outside the United States.

There is a common misconception that 7216 consent causes friction with 1040 clients. SurePrep works with over 33,000 tax professionals and in our experience, this problem is almost non-existent. Most firms send the 7216 consent form along with the engagement letter and receive signatures without issue. In the rare case that a client raises an objection, that client’s return can simply be processed in our onshore facility.

Expert staff, experience, and trust

All SurePrep outsourcing staff are required to complete a comprehensive 10-week training program. The training consists of classroom sessions, group discussions, and testing. Staff must periodically complete refresher programs to stay up to date with changing policies and procedures. We set high standards for accuracy and continuously monitor performance.

SurePrep was founded as a tax preparation outsourcing service provider in 2002. In subsequent years, we branched into tax automation technology and became a leader in the space. Our tax preparation services have remained a core part of our mission throughout. We use our own industry-leading technology to prepare returns and pass the time savings to our clients. Our outsourcing services have been around longer than any competitor’s. Some of the world’s largest CPA firms trust our experience and use our services.

Partial outsourced tax preparation services with 1040SCANverify

SurePrep offers a unique partial outsourcing option called 1040SCANverify. Our advanced OCR software extracts data from tax documents like W-2s, 1099s, etc. and our expert staff verify the information. Your firm receives fully organized workpapers and clean data that is ready for export to tax software. This service eliminates up to 80% of the work for just 20% the cost of full preparation outsourcing. Our verified reviews highlight why 1040SCANverify is SurePrep’s most popular and fastest-growing option.1040SCANverify is our most popular and fastest-growing option. To learn more, download our informational whitepaper below.

Reduce Costs and Optimize Productivity with a Combination of Software and Service with 1040SCANverify

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