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Pre-Season Tax Office Checklist

Client Materials

  • Prepare and mail organizers for prior year clients
  • Prepare letters, coupons, and any other items to be mailed to clients
  • Preseason scheduling
  • Develop a marketing strategy

Bank Products

  • Familiarize yourself with the various bank products and their fees
  • Complete and submit bank application from Account Hub (My Account)
  • Order checks and cards from the bank
  • Determine bank fee structure and configure these fees in the Fee Setup Menu
  • Set up your bank in Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
  • Print a test check from your bank’s website
  • Complete required compliance training (varies by bank)

IRS / Tax Provisions

  • Apply for an EFIN if you haven’t got one already
  • Renew your PTIN
  • Review Federal Tax Law Changes
  • Review Filing Thresholds / Changes
  • Familiarize yourself with Due Diligence Requirements

State Provisions

  • Familiarize yourself with your state’s e-filing mandates
  • Familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for bank products
  • Familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for filing extensions and for filing business returns

Computer Equipment

  • Ensure all computers meet the minimum recommended system requirements to run Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
  • Perform routine maintenance on computers (should be done by an IT professional)
    • Clean registry
    • Defragment hard drives
    • Remove old/unwanted programs
    • Check the operating system for damage or corruption
    • Ensure all Windows Updates have been installed
    • Use Windows Disk Cleanup Utility to remove other unneeded files
    • Clean up the Start Up programs list
  • Upgrade and/or replace any hardware (computers, printers, scanners) as needed
  • Test all printers for use with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
  • Update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or other PDF software
  • Test document scanners, barcode scanners, and signature pads for use with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
  • Test internet connection on all systems (wireless connections aren’t recommended)
  • Renew subscriptions to anti-virus and firewall software
  • Set exclusions for Keystone Tax Solutions Pro in anti-virus and firewall software
  • Train employees on computer policies and equipment
  • Train employees on office security
  • IRS: Protect Your Clients – Protect Yourself

Network Users

  • Network should be set up by an IT professional prior to downloading the software
  • To ensure a stable and secure connection, network computers together using network cable
  • Contact Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Support for assistance installing the software on a network

Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Desktop Software

  • Update information in Account Hub (My Account), including IRS Tracking Number
  • First-year customers: Convert any data from prior year to Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
    • Contact Sales to complete the conversion agreement
    • Contact Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Technical Support to convert prior year data
  • Install prior year programs on any new computers
  • Download and install update for prior year programs
  • Install the 2019 Keystone Tax Solutions Pro program on all computers
  • Customize Configuration settings (on the File Server)
    • Make changes to firm and ERO information as needed
    • Add preparers and edit existing information as needed
    • Set up preparer security and preparer roles
    • Determine fee structure and set up fees in the Fee Setup Menu
  • Customize Premium settings (on the File Server)
    • PaperCut Paperless Office Settings
    • Text Message and Secure E-Mail to clients
    • Set up your TaxesToGo mobile app in Account Hub (My Account)
  • Become familiar with program changes and enhancements
  • Explore the Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Knowledgebase and, if purchased, The Tax Book
  • Train staff to navigate and use Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
  • Create practice returns
  • Subscribe to the Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Support Blog

Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Web Software

  • Update information in Account Hub, including the IRS Tracking Number
  • First-year customers: Convert any data from prior year to Keystone Tax Solutions Pro
    • Contact Sales to complete the conversion agreement
    • Contact Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Technical Support to convert prior year data
  • Update Office Configuration
    • Make changes to firm and ERO information as needed
    • Add preparers and edit existing preparers as needed
    • Set up Preparer Security and Preparer Roles
    • Determine fee structure and set up fees in the Fee Setup Menu
  • Become familiar with program changes and enhancements
  • Explore the Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Knowledgebase and, if purchased, The Tax Book
  • Train staff to use and navigate Keystone Tax Solutions Pro software
  • Create practice returns
  • Set up your TaxesToGo mobile app
  • Subscribe to the Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Support Blog
Updated on September 9, 2020

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