A well-designed remote tax relationship should feel organized and personal—not anonymous.
Secure document collection
Clients typically upload tax documents to a secure portal rather than emailing sensitive attachments. The firm can track what has been received and what remains outstanding.
Questions and meetings
Telephone and video meetings can handle the same substantive conversations that once required an office visit. Screen sharing can also make it easier to review projections or discuss specific documents together.
Electronic signatures and filing
Many engagement letters, authorizations, and tax-return forms can be signed electronically, subject to applicable requirements. Returns are generally filed electronically.
What to evaluate
- Does the firm use a secure client portal?
- Is multifactor authentication available?
- How are meetings scheduled?
- Who is your point of contact?
- How are original documents handled if any are required?
- How does the firm verify identity and protect sensitive information?
Reviewed for accuracy · October 2026 · Editorial Standards · Sources & Authorities