Secure File Pro

• FTCG uses Secure File Pro to securely and electronically transfer files between our office and your computer. Secure File Pro is a service of Drake Software, a professional tax and accounting software provider we’ve used for years to prepare and e-file your returns securely.
• The FTCG portal provides a secure way to exchange confidential tax documents safely and conveniently. You can send and receive documents anytime, anywhere.
• Tough, industry-standard security measures always protect your files. All transmissions are secured with 256-bit SSL encryption, and files are encrypted at rest on the server.
• The FTCG portal offers a smart and responsible way to share and transfer your confidential tax documents. Security, reliability, and privacy are built-in, which cannot be said for sending documents openly by fax and email.

Registering (THIS LINK WILL EXPIRE IN 48 HOURS):

• We will begin the registration process for new clients before your first appointment. If you are an existing client without a portal account, please get in touch with [email protected] to initiate registration.
• You will receive an email notification that an FTCG portal account has been created. Please check your spam folder before attempting to re-register.

This email contains a link to the portal. In addition, there are step-by-step instructions to activate your portal account and begin uploading documents. Note: The portal link is only active for 48 hours for security reasons. The link will expire if you have not set up your account within this time frame.

To access your file(s): 

1. When the following window appears, please enter the last four digits of the SSN or EIN.
2. Create a password for your account. The password must contain an upper case letter, a lower case letter, a number, and a unique character (such as !, #, $, etc.).
3. Click the Submit button—the Sign In screen displays.
4. Enter your username and password and click the Sign In button.
5. Notice the My Folder menu to the left when the home page displays.
6. Click Documents from Preparer.
7. In the right window, your documents should appear. Click the Download link for a copy.
8. Select to open or save the file.
9. If you select Save, follow the procedure you use when saving a file to your computer.

To submit a document to your preparer:

1. Click the Documents to Preparer link under the My Folder section.
2. In the right window, click the Upload link.
3. Click the Browse Files button to search for the file you want to upload.
4. The file should display under the button. Click the Upload button.
5. The file will display in the right window. You have the opportunity at this time to rename or delete the file if necessary.
6. Your preparer will be notified that a file is ready for downloading from you. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your tax preparer.

To begin, click the link in the “Getting Started” email. You will be redirected to the FTCG portal and prompted to enter the last four digits of your Social Security number. If this account is for a business, you will be prompted to enter the last four digits of your EIN. You can then create a new password and begin accessing your account.

Note: You are the only person with access to your password. This information is not available to FTCG or its employees. There is a password reset feature that you can access should you ever forget your password.

Once your password has been set up, you can log in to your account. Below is an example of what your homepage will look like. From this screen, you can upload documents securely and access documents uploaded by your tax preparer.

Uploading Your Documents:

1. To begin uploading your documents, you will need access to a scanner. All documents you intend to upload should be saved in PDF format. Once you have scanned everything to your computer, rename your PDF files with a 1- or 2-word description of the file contents. For example, if you have W-2 wage information statements from your employer to upload, rename the scanned PDF “W2 info.” After everything has been saved, you will be ready to upload.
2. Click on the ‘Upload’ button in the upper left of the portal screen.
3. By clicking the ‘Select’ button, you can locate your PDF files to upload.
   Once the first PDF file has been selected, you will automatically be given the option to select additional files to upload. After you have chosen the necessary documents, click the ‘Upload’ button.
4. You can now view all the files that have been uploaded and delete them. Your tax preparer will receive an automatically generated email to let them know your documents are in the portal.

Downloading Documents from your Preparer:

You will receive an email notification every time your tax preparer uploads documents into your portal account. This email will contain a link to the FTCG portal and instructions for downloading your documents.

1. Enter your username and password and click the Sign In button.
2. Notice the My Folder menu to the left when the home page displays.
3. Click Documents from Preparer.
4. In the right window, your documents should appear. Click the Download link for a document.
5. Select to open or save the file.
6. If you select Save, follow the normal procedure you use when saving a file to your computer.

To submit a document to your preparer:

1. Click the Documents to Preparer link under the My Folder section.
2. In the right window, click the Upload link.
3. Click the Browse Files button to search for the file you would like to upload.
4. The file should display under the button. Click the Upload button.
5. The file will display in the right window. You have the opportunity at this time to rename or delete the file if necessary.
6. Your preparer will be notified that a file is ready for downloading from you.

If you have any questions, please contact your tax preparer.

Once you have been redirected to the FTCG portal you can begin downloading. If there are multiple documents, you can use the ‘Batch’ button which allows you to download everything at the same time.

As you download documents, your tax preparer will receive an automatically generated email confirmation that the documents have been downloaded. You will have access to these documents throughout the tax filing season – October 15th. Please see below for further details.

Document Retention Policy:

FTCG, Inc. portal retention policy is to keep all original tax documents on the portal through the end of filing season – October 15th. Tax returns will be maintained on the portal for 2 years. We reserve the right to modify our portal retention policy at any time, without notice.

Tips for Successful Portal Use:

• Scan and save all documents as PDF files. Do not use JPEG formatting.
  • Give your PDF files a descriptive name. This will help us complete your return faster by being better organized.
  • Download and upload multiple files all at the same time using the ‘Batch’ feature.
  • Make tax time easier by uploading important documents as soon as you receive them.
  • Download up to 2 years’ worth of your saved information any time, any place for a third party (loan officer, etc.)