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Safesend debuts Next Gen Gather AI as part of larger rebrand

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Accounting solutions provider SafeSend announced the rebranding of its SafeSend Suite product to SafeSend One in order to emphasize the addition of its brand new Next Gen Gather AI, included as part of a new Premium Tier package. The software package now offers secure and compliant engagement letters, file transfers, organizers, e-signatures, tax return assembly and delivery, and a new AI-driven gathering capability. 

“The rebranding from SafeSend Suite to SafeSend One marks the launch of the innovative next gen Gather AI feature and a new premium packaging tier,” said SafeSend in a fact sheet on the rebranding. “These exciting updates help solidify SafeSend’s goal to be the trusted partner in providing an end-to-end client experience for accounting firms. This rebrand reflects our commitment to constant evolution, setting trends, supporting firms’ needs, defining the future, and establishing the ‘gold standard’ for an end-to-end taxpayer journey.”

Next Gen Gather AI was described by Steven Lyon, senior product manager, during a demo as a completely new feature that is meant to help accountants do tasks like collect e-signatures on engagement letters, generate questionnaires and collect important documents. 

Once client information is entered, the software begins collecting client information through generating a fillable yes/no organizer. Users can upload their own if they want but it’s not strictly necessary; nor is even sending the fillable organizer in the first place, if the user doesn’t want to do so. 

After that, it adds room for e-signatures on the engagement letter and lets people drag and drop their signatures into the appropriate space. 

Next, the system generates a customizable questionnaire, which can either be built manually or from a template, with space for yes/no, multiple choice and fillable text boxes. 

Then the system makes the document request list using AI. Lyon said “one of the big features” of this part is that if the user uploads the previous year’s organizer, it will automatically generate a document request list based on the information there. People can also choose to use templates, or manually modify the AI-generated list by adding or removing different requests. He noted that users do not necessarily need to send the organizer in order to auto generate the document request list.

Finally, the user chooses their delivery and notification options, as well as sets reminders to the client if they’re taking too long to upload their documents. 

On the clients’ side, said Lyon, they will see an email asking them to please complete their “Gather Request.” After verifying their identities via a one-time code, they can start by signing the engagement letter, then answering the questionnaire. Once completed, they’re taken to the organizer with the fillable yes/no questions and places to enter personal information. Finally they’re taken to the upload screen where they see the requested source documents for the firm. The client can upload many source documents at once, and the software will use AI to recognize those items and automatically map them to the document request list. Those that cannot be auto-categorized will appear on the right of the screen for further inspection. 

The rebranding will also involve a phase-out of individual product logos for SafeSend Returns, SafeSend Exchange and other solutions, as they will be unified under the combined product portfolio of SafeSend One. This shift emphasizes the broader suite’s key features rather than individual product names.

“Our goal has always been to provide a singular, comprehensive solution that enhances the firm-client experience while simplifying the tax process for firms,” said Andrew Hatfield, SafeSend co-founder and chief growth officer. “SafeSend One and Gather AI are the latest demonstrations of our commitment to innovate on behalf of our customers.”

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Accounting

In the blogs: Just in time

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BOI is back; phantom stocks; continuous compliance; and other highlights from our favorite tax bloggers.

Just in time

  • Tax Vox (https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox): Who benefits and who loses from extending major provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?
  • Taxing Subjects (https://www.drakesoftware.com/blog): The Republican party can shape legislative priorities for the next two years, setting the stage for long-term policy changes. A downloadable resource offers a breakdown of key policy areas and action steps for tax pros and small businesses. 
  • AICPA & CIMA Insights (https://www.aicpa-cima.com/blog): How the IRS and tax pros can both start prepping for any government shutdown.
  • Eide Bailly (https://www.eidebailly.com/taxblog): “Just in time for the holidays,” a federal appeals court has restored the Corporate Transparency Act requirement for businesses to disclose their beneficial owners.
  • Taxable Talk (http://www.taxabletalk.com/): And just like that, yet again, with an injunction’s stay, course is reversed.
  • Current Federal Tax Developments (https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/): At least they extended the deadlines a whisker.
  • The Tax Times (https://www.thetaxtimes.com): The IRS continues to claw back from non-filers, to the tune of 10 figures and counting.
  • The National Association of Tax Professionals (https://blog.natptax.com/): Favorite headline of the week: “The best gifts for the tax pro in your life this holiday season.”
  • National Taxpayer Advocate (https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/taxnews-information/blogs-nta/): “‘Twas the night before tax season, and all through the land; Tax professionals were working, each with pen in hand; The forms were all sorted with numbers just right; who says tax accounting can’t thrill and excite?”

2025

Continuity

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Accounting

H&R Block releases Santa Claus’s tax return

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That doesn’t look like a 1040 … .

H&R Block has given the world just what it wants to see this holiday season: Santa Claus’s tax return.

Santa has a lot of itemizations to consider. Eight tiny reindeer depend on him for food and shelter, for instance, but are they dependents? How much can you give to one person before reporting it? Does Santa keep good mileage records for his 41.5 million miles? Santa isn’t an employee, so compensation (even in cookie form) over the threshold may create a 1099-NEC.

Old St. Nick, who files MFJ with Mrs. Claus, did all right on 1040 Line 34, but some of his numbers do bear examination: 6.3 million cookies and 2 million gallons of milk means a third of a gallon of milk per cookie. Will the deduction of coal, magic dust and sleighbells stand up to audit? At least Santa has plenty of time on his hands between January and April to find a good preparer.

Santa's tax return

“Even the jolly man in red takes time to report taxes,” reads the announcement from the tax prep giant. “He’s probably the world’s most famous small-business owner, running a gift-giving workshop and distribution network across the globe … Santa is giving us the first ever peek at his tax return and showing us how he used H&R Block Online and AI Tax Assist to get his maximum refund.”

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Accounting

5 changes coming to IRAs and 401(k)s in 2025

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The SECURE 2.0 Act contained several changes to traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans that are being phased in over the coming years, with several notable changes coming in 2025. The Illinois CPA Society highlighted five changes coming to IRAs and 401(k)s in 2025:

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