How can we add a Privacy Letter detailing our office policy to each tax return that we prepare?
I do no wish to replace the current client letter. I want to add a blanket privacy letter to each tax return.
The letters function under Print, Database Reports will generate the letter. But it won't print automatically with the tax return, which I suspect is what you want.
Honestly, I'd muck around with the current letter, adding something at the very end that will wrap to a new page and put the privacy page there. So while it would be one letter in theory, it would appear as a separate sheet.
PhoebeRoberts' comment will work.
Another alternative would be that within the Lacerte organizer you actually have the ability to have 3 separate "letters" before the formal organizer begins. You have the "Client Letter", the "Engagement Letter" and the "Title Page" that can serve as a wordprocessing document ie letter. We incorporate our Privacy policy wording within our engagement letter. We try to get each client to sign the engagement letter which goes into our workpapers and give some assurance that they received and read the privacy policy information.
If you use the extra letters, make that letter part of the default printing options when you go to print each organizer so it will print in each package.
I too liked Phoebe's original comment, but it has it's limitations, especially if the letter automatically wraps to a second page - each letter is different based on the return and subsequently different lengths. If it's a "letter" you must have (vs. a screen 47 statement, for example), Chuck's (CWM) solution is best as it feels like making a part of the "engagement" agreement is where that discussion would happen, not with the tax return per se. You can also use the Database Reports like Phoebe suggested - you would just need a way to indicate which clients you have printed the letter for, and the Custom Filter in Screen 1 could help with that (as far as display/filtering are concerned). Another idea is that if you aren't using all the slip sheets (like the Return Folder one, for example) you could copy and paste into there, then set your print options to include it accordingly.
Bill
Yeah, there's no way to insert a page break into the standard letters. We use the Custom Letter screen to fix that kind of thing, but that editor isn't always WYSIWYG.
As CPAs, we're not required to do the privacy policies anymore, but when we were, we did them as an additional page in the organizer packet. Not a good fit for a practice with a lot of client turnover, though, because "people who didn't get organizers" still need special handling.
I actually really like Bill's suggestion of Screen 47 statement, but wouldn't that require "handling" for each client, in the form of pasting it into the detail screens one by one?
Low-tech workaround: have a pre-printed stack on the assembly table (or pre-inserted into the tax return folder) for the assembly person to incorporate.
Thank you very much for your responses. On Sunday I tried copying my letter into the signature part of the lacerte letter. The problem was I couldn't create a page break.
I also thought about your low tech solution to just print up the forms.
Thank you everyone for your help!!!
