Drake Portals - Request Files Feature

Article #: 18158

Last Updated: November 06, 2024

 


Tags: SFP

Drake Portals logo

You can now select the option Request Files on the Drake Portals website. This sends an email to the client with a secure link that can be used to upload files directly to the Documents to Preparer folder without having to login to their portal. The link can only be clicked one time, however, they can choose as many files as needed during that upload session. Once the browser window is closed, they will have to either login to the portal to upload more files, or you can send another request link. Detailed steps are below.

Tip  This article is also available in Spanish (para Español, ver Drake Portals – Opción para Solicitar Archivos).

Preparer

  1. Log in to your Drake Portals website and locate the client in the list.

  2. On the right, choose the hamburger icon and click Request Files.

    Image showing the request files menu.

    Note  This option is also available by choosing the hamburger menu after loading the client's portal page.

  3. On the Request Files pop-up, enter a message (optional) and click Submit.

    Image showing the request files window with a place to enter a message.

  4. A notice will display along the bottom that says File request sent to client.

    Image showing that the file request has been sent.

  5. Once the client/taxpayer has uploaded a file, you will get an email notification. To retrieve the files, log into Drake Portals and navigate to the client's Documents to Preparer folder.

Note  This feature is only available from the Drake Portals website, and is not available in the SFP Pane of Drake Documents.

Client/Taxpayer

You (taxpayer/client) will receive an email that says "[Firm Name] has requested files." with two links. If the preparer entered an optional message (in step 3 above), it will also appear in the email. The first link is the direct upload and the second is a link to your regular portal login. The first link can only be clicked one time.

Image showing what the request files email looks like (taxpayer receives).

When you click the first link, you will see the following window. If the preparer included a message, it will also be shown above the Select icon.

Request files select window

To upload files,

  1. Click Select.

  2. A file browser window opens, locate the first file to upload and click Open.

  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as needed to choose additional files.

  4. When all files have been chosen, click Upload.

    Image showing that one file has been selected to upload.

  5. The window displays a success message. Additional files can be selected for upload from this window, if needed.

    Image showing that the file was sucessfully uploaded.

Important  Once the browser window is closed, the client will have to login to their portal to upload additional files. The email link will only launch the Upload files to your Portal window once. Subsequent clicks will redirect to the regular log in window.