Signatures in Adobe® Reader

Updated: 2021-01-13

If you prefer a free option for sending PDF files for signature, you can email a PDF to your client. Your client signs the PDF in Adobe Reader and sends it back to you.

TaxCycle has supported this type of electronic signature for several years through its PDF email feature. With this free solution, you cannot download signed documents directly from TaxCycle and TaxCycle will not automatically track the status of documents sent for signature. You must manually update those tasks. 

Email a PDF for Signature

The example below shows how to send the T183 for signature by printing a single form. You can use the same settings when configuring a print set, or when printing a different template or form.

1. Make sure to enter the client's (or signing officer's) first name, last name and email address on the Info worksheet.
   
2. Open the T183 form.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+P, click Print/PDF Form in the Tools menu, or right-click on the form and select Print/PDF Form. (If configuring a print set, click the edit link for the print set in the Print/PDF sidebar.)
4. From the Printer/Output menu, select PDF.
5. From the Email menu, select Email.
6. From the Message menu, select Adobe PDF Signature Cover Email. This cover email includes links to instructions on Adobe's website on how to sign a PDF in Adobe Reader.
7. From the SIN/BN menu, select Mask first five digits for security to obscure social insurance numbers and business numbers from the forms. (We strongly recommend using this option when sending documents for signatures.)
8. Set any other PDF options as required. See printer/output options for details.
9. To save these settings and use them every time you print the T183, click the link to Save these settings for T183.
10. Click Generate PDF to attach the PDF to a new email message in your desktop email client (such as Microsoft^® Outlook).
    
11. Review the message, then press Send to email your client.

Downloads and Help from Adobe^®

1. Your clients can download Adobe^® Reader for free from here: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Download.
2. Instructions on how to sign any PDF file are available here: Sign PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Receiving and Tracking Signed Documents

With this free solution, you cannot download signed documents directly from links in TaxCycle and TaxCycle will not automatically track the status of documents sent for signature. You must manually update those tasks.

1. Your client must attach the signed document and send it back to you by email.
2. When you receive the email attachment, you must verify the signature and track its receipt in TaxCycle workflow tasks.