Clear answers before tax season gets complicated.
Learn how onboarding, documents, appointments, payments, and the client portal work before you get started.
Every tax situation is different. Start an intake or contact the office so advice can be based on your actual facts.
How do I become a client?
Start with the tax intake. The office reviews the request and, if the engagement moves forward, sends secure client-portal onboarding instructions.
Should I upload tax documents on the public website?
No. Public forms are intentionally limited. W-2s, 1099s, identification, tax notices, bank-related tax records, and other sensitive documents should be provided only through an approved secure client channel.
What can I do in the client portal?
Clients can complete organizer items, upload requested documents, review agreements, send secure messages, request appointments, view invoices, manage account security, and follow recorded return progress.
Can Pathway prepare prior-year or amended returns?
Those services may be available depending on the facts, records, and filing year. Select the appropriate service on the intake so the office can review the scope.
Does submitting an intake reserve a filing deadline?
No. An intake or contact form does not create an engagement or extend a filing or payment deadline. The office must confirm the engagement and scope.
How are appointments scheduled?
You may request a preferred appointment time online. The time becomes final after the office confirms it.
How do payments work?
If online payment is offered, the client portal can direct you to the firm's hosted payment provider. The website is designed so ordinary card details do not need to be stored in the tax portal.
Can I email tax documents?
Unless the office specifically gives you an approved secure method, use the client portal rather than ordinary email for sensitive tax records.
When is my return considered filed?
Preparation and review are different from electronic filing. Your portal can show the filing status the office has recorded from its professional tax software.
What if I receive an IRS or state notice?
Contact the office promptly and provide every page of the notice through the secure portal. Notices often have response deadlines, so do not wait until the last day.