How-To Guides

Accept credit card payments directly and keep 100% of your revenue (minus standard Stripe processing fees).

• Step 1: Subscribe to Restaurant PRO+ or Appointment Manager Plus plan from your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Navigate to "Payment Setup" in your dashboard sidebar.
• Step 3: Click the "Set Up Payments" button.
• Step 4: You'll be securely redirected to Stripe to create or connect your account.
• Step 5: Complete the Stripe onboarding form with your business and bank details.
• Step 6: Verify your identity (may require ID upload or additional documentation).
• Step 7: Once approved, you'll be redirected back to NearRise with payment processing enabled!

To successfully complete your Stripe account setup, you'll need to have the following information ready:

Business Information:

• Legal business name
• Business address
• Business phone number
• Tax ID (EIN or SSN for sole proprietors)
• Business website or description

Bank Account Details:

• Bank account number
• Routing number
• Account holder name

Personal Information (for verification):

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number (last 4 digits initially)
• Government-issued ID (may be required)

Once your Stripe account is active and you start receiving payments, you can track them in two places:

On NearRise (Financial Dashboard):

• Go to "Payment Setup" in your dashboard.
• Click the "Open Financial Dashboard" button to access detailed reports.
• View comprehensive analytics including revenue charts, transaction history, and payout data.
• Filter by time ranges: Today, 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or All Time.
• See all transaction types including orders, invoices, and deposit payments.

On Stripe Dashboard (Complete Details):

• Click the "View Dashboard" button on the Payment Setup page.
• You'll be taken to your Stripe account dashboard.
• View detailed analytics, payouts, refunds, and disputes.
• Export reports for accounting and tax purposes.

Access comprehensive financial analytics, revenue charts, and detailed transaction history.

Accessing Financial Dashboard:

• Step 1: Navigate to "Payment Setup" in your dashboard.
• Step 2: Scroll to the "View Financial Reports" card (only visible after Stripe is connected).
• Step 3: Click the "Open Financial Dashboard" button.

Revenue Analytics Available:

• Total Revenue: Complete earnings including all payment types
• Successful Payments: Count of completed transactions
• Deposit Revenue: Booking deposits from appointments and table reservations
• Revenue Trend Charts: Visual graphs showing daily revenue over time
• Transaction Volume Charts: See number of transactions per day
• Payment Type Breakdown: Pie chart showing distribution by payment type

Transaction History Features:

• View all transactions with customer email, amount, status, and date
• Filter by time range: Today, 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or All Time
• See payment types: Orders, Invoices, or Deposits
• Paginated view with 20 transactions per page
• Click "Refresh" to update with latest data from Stripe

Payout Information:

• View pending and completed payouts to your bank account
• See payout amounts, status, and expected arrival dates
• Track when funds will be deposited to your bank

When you accept credit card payments through Stripe, there are standard processing fees charged by Stripe (not NearRise).

Standard Stripe Fees:

• 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge (US domestic cards)
• Additional 1% for international cards
• Additional 1% for currency conversion

NearRise's 0% Commission:

• We take 0% commission on your sales - you keep 100% of your revenue!
• The only fees are Stripe's standard processing fees, which go directly to Stripe.
• No hidden fees, no monthly minimums, no surprise charges.

Example:

If a customer pays $100 for a service or order:
• Stripe fee: ($100 × 2.9%) + $0.30 = $3.20
• NearRise commission: $0.00
• You receive: $96.80

Common issues and how to resolve them:

Account Not Connected:

• Make sure you completed the entire Stripe onboarding process.
• Click "Refresh Status" to update your connection status.
• If issues persist, click "Set Up Payments" again to resume onboarding.

Charges Not Enabled:

• Your account may need additional verification.
• Check your email for messages from Stripe requesting more information.
• Click "Complete Setup" to provide any missing details.

Payouts Delayed:

• New accounts may have a holding period (up to 7 days) for first payouts.
• Verify your bank account details are correct in Stripe.
• Check Stripe Dashboard for payout schedule and status.

Let customers reserve tables directly through your NearRise profile - no phone calls needed!

• Step 1: Navigate to "Table Booking" in your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Toggle "Active" to make table booking visible to customers.
• Step 3: Set Minimum Party Size (e.g., 1 person).
• Step 4: Set Maximum Party Size (e.g., 20 people).
• Step 5: Set Advance Booking Days (how far ahead customers can book, e.g., 30 days).
• Step 6: Set Tables Available (how many tables you can accommodate simultaneously).
• Step 7: Configure Booking Hours for each day of the week (check enabled days and set open/close times).
• Step 8: Set Slot Duration (e.g., 120 minutes - typical dining time).
• Step 9: Add a Confirmation Message customers will see after booking.
• Step 10: Set your Cancellation Policy (e.g., "Cancellations must be made at least 2 hours before your reservation").
• Step 11: Click "Save Settings" to activate your table booking system.

When customers make table reservations, you'll see them in your dashboard and can manage them easily.

• Step 1: Go to the "Bookings" tab to view all reservations.
• Step 2: New reservations will show with status Pending.
• Step 3: Click the "View" button (eye icon) to see reservation details including:
  • • Customer name, email, and phone
  • • Date and time of reservation
  • • Party size (number of guests)
  • • Special requests or dietary restrictions
• Step 4: Change the status to:
  • • Confirmed - Table is reserved and ready
  • • Cancelled - Reservation is cancelled
  • • Completed - Customer dined successfully
  • • No-Show - Customer didn't show up
• Step 5: When you confirm a booking, an automatic confirmation email is sent to the customer!
• Step 6: Use "Load More" to view older reservations beyond the initial 20.

Need to close for a holiday or private event? Block specific dates so customers can't make reservations during those times.

• Step 1: In the "Settings" tab, find the "Blocked Dates" field.
• Step 2: Enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2025-12-25 for Christmas Day).
• Step 3: For multiple dates, separate them with commas (e.g., 2025-12-25,2025-12-31,2026-01-01).
• Step 4: Click "Save Settings".

Key settings explained:

• Slot Duration: How long each table reservation lasts (typically 90-120 minutes for full meals).
• Tables Available: Maximum number of concurrent reservations allowed per time slot. Set this based on your restaurant capacity.
• Min/Max Party Size: Controls who can book. For example, set min=2 if you don't accept single diners, or max=8 for parties larger than 8 to call directly.
• Advance Booking Days: Prevents customers from booking too far in advance. For example, 30 days means they can only book up to a month ahead.
• Booking Hours: Enable/disable specific days and set when reservations are available. For example, if you're closed Mondays, uncheck "Enabled" for Monday.

Example Setup:

• Min Party Size: 2 (couples and groups only)
• Max Party Size: 10 (larger groups call ahead)
• Tables Available: 15 (your restaurant has 15 tables)
• Slot Duration: 120 minutes (2-hour dining window)
• Booking Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun Closed

Create distance-based delivery fees so you can charge different amounts based on how far customers are from your restaurant!

• Step 1: Navigate to "In-House Delivery" in your Restaurant Dashboard.
• Step 2: Toggle "Delivery Service" to ON to enable delivery for customers.
• Step 3: In the "Add New Tier" section, enter:
  • • Max Distance: Maximum distance in miles (e.g., 5.0)
  • • Delivery Fee: Fee to charge (e.g., $5.00)
• Step 4: Click "Add" to create the delivery tier.
• Step 5: Repeat to add multiple tiers for different distances (e.g., 0-5 miles = $5, 5-10 miles = $8, 10-15 miles = $12).
• Step 6: Review your tiers in the table to make sure they're correct.
• Step 7: Click "Save Delivery Fees" to activate your delivery zones.

How It Works:

When customers enter their delivery address at checkout, we automatically calculate the distance from your restaurant. The appropriate delivery fee is added to their order total based on your tiers. Customers outside your maximum delivery distance can only select pickup.

Hire and manage your own delivery drivers with custom pay rates and employment types!

• Step 1: Navigate to "Drivers" in your Restaurant Dashboard.
• Step 2: Click "Add New Driver".
• Step 3: Enter the driver's Name.
• Step 4: Enter their Phone Number.
• Step 5: An Access Code is auto-generated (6 digits) - this is what drivers use to log in.
• Step 6: Select Pay Rate Type:
  • • Per Delivery: Driver gets paid per delivery completed
  • • Per Hour: Driver gets paid hourly
• Step 7: Enter the Pay Rate (e.g., $5.00 per delivery or $15.00 per hour).
• Step 8: (Optional) For per-delivery drivers, add Delivery Fee Percentage (e.g., driver gets 30% of the delivery fee in addition to base pay).
• Step 9: Select Employment Type:
  • • 1099: Independent contractor
  • • W2: Employee
• Step 10: Click "Save" to add the driver.

Choose the right pay structure for your drivers:

Per Delivery Payment:

• Driver earns a fixed amount for each delivery completed.
• You can set a Base Pay Rate (e.g., $5 per delivery).
• Optionally add Delivery Fee Percentage (e.g., driver gets 30% of the delivery fee).
• You must set either base pay rate OR delivery fee percentage (or both).

Example - Base Pay Only:

• Driver completes 10 deliveries at $5 each = $50 earned

Example - Base Pay + Percentage:

• Base pay: $3 per delivery
• Delivery fee percentage: 40%
• Customer pays $8 delivery fee
• Driver earns: $3 + ($8 × 40%) = $3 + $3.20 = $6.20 for that delivery

Per Hour Payment:

• Driver earns a fixed hourly wage regardless of deliveries completed.
• Good for busy times when you want consistent driver availability.
• Example: $15/hour means driver earns $60 for a 4-hour shift.

Control which drivers are available to receive delivery assignments.

• View All Drivers: See your complete driver roster in the Drivers table.
• Activate/Deactivate: Use the toggle switch to turn drivers on/off.
  • • Active = Can receive delivery assignments
  • • Inactive = Cannot receive assignments
• Edit Driver: Click the edit icon to update driver information or pay rates.
• Copy Access Code: Click the copy icon to copy the driver's access code.
• Delete Driver: Click the trash icon to permanently remove a driver.
• View Summary: Click on the "Summary" tab to see driver performance and earnings.

Once you've added a driver, they can log in and start accepting deliveries!

Driver Login Process:

• Step 1: Driver visits the NearRise driver portal.
• Step 2: Enters the 6-digit Access Code you provided.
• Step 3: Views assigned deliveries with customer address and order details.
• Step 4: Marks delivery as "Out for Delivery" when they leave the restaurant.
• Step 5: Marks delivery as "Delivered" when completed.
• Step 6: Driver can track their earnings and delivery history.

Track driver performance, earnings, and delivery statistics.

• Step 1: Go to the "Drivers" page.
• Step 2: Click the "Summary" tab to view overall stats.
• Step 3: See metrics like:
  • • Total deliveries completed
  • • Total earnings (by driver)
  • • Average delivery time
  • • Active vs. completed deliveries
• Step 4: Click "Delivery Report" tab for detailed delivery history.
• Step 5: Filter by date range to generate payroll reports.

Common issues and solutions:

Driver Can't Log In:

• Verify the access code is correct (6 digits).
• Make sure the driver is marked as "Active" in your driver list.
• Try generating a new access code for the driver.

No Drivers Available for Assignment:

• Check that you have at least one active driver in the system.
• Make sure drivers are toggled to "Active" status.

Customer Address Outside Delivery Zone:

• Review your delivery fee tiers and adjust the maximum distance if needed.
• Add additional tiers for longer distances.

Incorrect Driver Earnings:

• Double-check the pay rate type (per delivery vs. per hour).
• Verify the delivery fee percentage if using percentage-based pay.
• Review the delivery history to ensure all deliveries are marked as completed.

Perfect for salons, spas, barbershops, massage therapists, and other service-based businesses!

• Step 1: Navigate to "Appointments" in your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Toggle "Enable Appointment System" to ON.
• Step 3: Toggle "Active" to make it visible to customers.
• Step 4: Set your Advance Booking Days (how far ahead customers can book).
• Step 5: Configure Appointment Hours for each day of the week.
• Step 6: Set Slot Duration (e.g., 60 minutes per appointment).
• Step 7: Add your services, staff, and other details (see guides below).
• Step 8: Click "Save Settings" to activate.

If you run a service-based business (salon, spa, barbershop), you can create a menu of services for customers to choose from when booking.

• Step 1: In the Booking/Appointments page, click the "Services" tab.
• Step 2: Click "Add Service" button.
• Step 3: Enter the Service Name (e.g., "Haircut", "Massage", "Facial").
• Step 4: Set the Duration in minutes (e.g., 60 minutes).
• Step 5: Enter the Price for this service.
• Step 6: Add a Description (optional, or use AI to generate one!).
• Step 7: Upload a Service Image (optional).
• Step 8: Click "Save Service".
• Step 9: Repeat for all your services.

For service businesses with multiple staff members, you can create staff profiles and let customers choose who they want to book with.

• Step 1: Click the "Staff" tab in Booking/Appointments.
• Step 2: Click "Add Staff Member".
• Step 3: Enter the staff member's Name.
• Step 4: Add their Email and Phone (optional).
• Step 5: Enter their Title (e.g., "Master Stylist", "Massage Therapist").
• Step 6: Write a Bio (or use AI to generate one).
• Step 7: Toggle "Active" to make them available for bookings.
• Step 8: Click "Save Staff".

When customers make bookings, you'll need to confirm, manage, or cancel them as needed.

• Step 1: Go to the "Appointments" tab to view all bookings.
• Step 2: New bookings will show with status Pending.
• Step 3: Click the "View" button (eye icon) to see booking details.
• Step 4: Change the status to:
  • • Confirmed - Booking is approved
  • • Cancelled - Booking is cancelled
  • • Completed - Service was provided
  • • No-Show - Customer didn't show up
• Step 5: You can also assign the booking to a specific staff member if you have a team.
• Step 6: Click "Delete" (trash icon) to remove a booking permanently.

Need to close for a holiday or special event? You can block specific dates so customers can't book during those times.

• Step 1: In the "Settings" tab, scroll to "Blocked Dates".
• Step 2: Enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2025-12-25 for Christmas).
• Step 3: Add multiple dates separated by commas if needed.
• Step 4: Click "Save Settings".

Reward your repeat customers and encourage them to come back! Create a custom loyalty program in minutes.

• Step 1: Navigate to "Loyalty Program" in your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Toggle "Program Active" to ON.
• Step 3: Choose your Program Type:
  • • Spend-Based: Customers earn points based on how much they spend
  • • Purchase-Based: Buy X of a specific item, get 1 free
• Step 4: Enter a Program Name (e.g., "VIP Rewards Club").
• Step 5: Write a Program Description (or use AI to generate one!).
• Step 6: Configure the program rules (see next guides for details).
• Step 7: Click "Save Program".

With a spend-based program, customers earn points for every dollar they spend, then redeem those points for rewards.

Configuration:

• Minimum Spend: Set the minimum order amount to earn points (e.g., $15).
• Points Per Spend: How many points per dollar spent (e.g., 5 points per $1 = 75 points on a $15 order).
• Points Threshold: How many points needed for a reward (e.g., 50 points).
• Reward Item: Select which menu item customers get as a reward (e.g., Free Appetizer).
• Reward Description: Describe the reward (e.g., "Get a free appetizer of your choice!").

Example:

• Customer spends $15 → Earns 75 points (5 points × $15)
• Customer reaches 50 points → Gets a free appetizer reward
• Remaining points carry over to next reward

With a purchase-based program, customers buy a specific item multiple times and get one free. Perfect for "Buy 10 coffees, get 1 free" style programs!

Configuration:

• Target Menu Item: Select which item customers need to purchase (e.g., "Coffee").
• Purchases Required: How many times they need to buy it (e.g., 10).
• Reward Item: What they get for free (usually the same item, e.g., "Coffee").
• Reward Description: Describe the reward (e.g., "Get your 11th coffee free!").

Example:

• Customer orders a Coffee → Purchase count: 1/10
• After 10 coffee purchases → Gets the 11th coffee FREE
• Counter resets and starts over

Track your loyalty program performance and see which customers are your most loyal!

On the Loyalty Dashboard, you can view:

• Total Customers: How many customers have joined your loyalty program.
• Active Customers: Customers who've made purchases in the last 30 days.
• Pending Rewards: How many customers have earned a reward and need to redeem it.
• Total Rewards Claimed: Lifetime count of all rewards redeemed.
• Customer List: See individual customer points, purchases, and reward status.
• Recent Transactions: View all point earnings and redemptions.

Not sure how to describe your loyalty program? Let AI write it for you!

• In the "Program Description" field, click "Generate with AI".
• AI will create a customer-friendly description based on your program settings.
• If you want to refine it, add instructions like "Make it more exciting" or "Keep it simple".
• Click "Refine" to regenerate with your feedback.
• Edit manually if you want to add your own personal touch.

Send professional marketing emails directly from your own email address to customers and leads!

• Step 1: Navigate to "Email Marketing" in your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Click the "Settings" button (gear icon) to open Email Settings.
• Step 3: Enter your Email Address (the email you'll send from).
• Step 4: Enter your Display Name (how your name appears to recipients).
• Step 5: Configure SMTP settings (see detailed guides below for Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
• Step 6: Click "Verify Email" to test your connection.
• Step 7: Once verified, click "Save".

Using Gmail? You'll need to create an App Password instead of using your regular Gmail password!

Step 1: Create a Gmail App Password

• Go to Google App Passwords (you must be signed into your Gmail account).
• You may need to verify your identity with your Google password.
• Under "Select app", choose "Mail".
• Under "Select device", choose "Other (Custom name)".
• Enter a name like NearRise Email Marketing.
• Click "Generate".
• Google will show you a 16-character password (like abcd efgh ijkl mnop). Copy this!

Step 2: Configure Gmail SMTP in NearRise

• Email Address: Your Gmail address (e.g., yourname@gmail.com)
• Host: smtp.gmail.com
• Port: 587
• Username: Your Gmail address (e.g., yourname@gmail.com)
• Password: The 16-character App Password you just created (NOT your regular Gmail password!)
• Encryption: Select TLS

Using an Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, or Microsoft 365 email? Here's how to configure it:

SMTP Settings for Outlook/Hotmail:

• Email Address: Your Outlook/Hotmail address (e.g., yourname@outlook.com)
• Host: smtp-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 587
• Username: Your Outlook/Hotmail email address
• Password: Your regular Outlook/Hotmail password
• Encryption: Select TLS

Using Yahoo Mail? Follow these settings:

SMTP Settings for Yahoo Mail:

• Email Address: Your Yahoo email (e.g., yourname@yahoo.com)
• Host: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
• Port: 587 or 465
• Username: Your Yahoo email address
• Password: Your Yahoo password (or App Password if 2FA is enabled)
• Encryption: TLS for port 587, SSL for port 465

An email signature automatically appears at the bottom of every email you send, making your messages look professional.

• Step 1: In Email Settings, scroll to "Email Signature (Optional)".
• Step 2: Use the rich text editor to format your signature.
• Step 3: Include your name, business name, phone number, and website.
• Step 4: You can add formatting like bold, italics, and links.
• Step 5: Click "Save".

Example Signature:

Best regards,
John Smith
Owner, John's Restaurant
📞 (555) 123-4567
🌐 www.johnsrestaurant.com
📍 123 Main St, Your City

Once your email is set up and verified, you can start sending marketing campaigns to your customers!

• Step 1: Go to "Email Marketing" in your dashboard.
• Step 2: Click "Compose Email".
• Step 3: Choose recipient(s) from your customer list or enter email addresses manually.
• Step 4: Write a compelling subject line (this affects open rates!).
• Step 5: Compose your email using the rich text editor.
• Step 6: Click "Send Now" or "Schedule" to send later.

Common issues and solutions:

"Authentication Failed" Error:

• Gmail: Make sure you're using an App Password, NOT your regular password.
• Outlook/Yahoo: Check if 2-factor authentication is enabled and create an App Password if needed.
• Double-check your username and password for typos.

"Connection Timeout" Error:

• Verify your SMTP host is correct (e.g., smtp.gmail.com for Gmail).
• Check that the port number is correct (usually 587 for TLS).
• Make sure your firewall isn't blocking outgoing SMTP connections.

"Verification Email Not Received":

• Check your spam/junk folder.
• Make sure all settings are correct and try verifying again.
• Wait a few minutes - sometimes email delivery can be delayed.

Connect your Facebook Page to schedule posts and manage your social media presence from NearRise!

• Step 1: Navigate to "Social Media" in your Business Dashboard.
• Step 2: Find the Facebook section and click "Connect Facebook".
• Step 3: You'll be redirected to Facebook to authorize the connection.
• Step 4: Log in to your Facebook account if prompted.
• Step 5: Grant permissions for NearRise to manage and publish to your Pages.
• Step 6: Select which Facebook Page(s) you want to connect.
• Step 7: Click "Done" and you'll be redirected back to NearRise.
• Step 8: Your Facebook Page is now connected and ready for posting!

Connect Instagram to share stunning photos and videos of your business!

Prerequisites:

• You must have a Facebook Page (create one if needed).
• Convert your Instagram account to a Business account (Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account).
• Link your Instagram Business account to your Facebook Page (in Instagram settings).

Connection Steps:

• Step 1: First, connect your Facebook account (see guide above).
• Step 2: In the Social Media dashboard, find Instagram and click "Connect Instagram".
• Step 3: Facebook will detect your linked Instagram Business account.
• Step 4: Grant permissions for NearRise to post to Instagram.
• Step 5: Your Instagram Business account is now connected!

Once your social media accounts are connected, you can create and schedule posts to multiple platforms at once!

• Step 1: Go to "Social Media" in your dashboard.
• Step 2: In the "Create Post" section, write your post content.
• Step 3: Use the AI button to generate engaging content if you need inspiration!
• Step 4: Add hashtags from the suggestions or type your own (e.g., #foodie, #shoplocal).
• Step 5: Upload a photo or video by clicking "Upload Media".
• Step 6: Select which platforms to post to (Facebook, Instagram, or both).
• Step 7: Choose to post now or schedule for later:
  • • Post Now: Click "Post" to publish immediately
  • • Schedule: Toggle "Schedule Post", select date/time, then click "Schedule Post"

Tips to maximize engagement on your social media posts:

Content Quality:

• Always include high-quality photos or videos (especially on Instagram).
• Keep captions concise but engaging (50-150 characters works best).
• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags (too many can look spammy).
• Add emojis to make your posts more engaging and human 😊🎉.

Best Times to Post:

• Facebook: Weekdays 9AM-3PM work best (avoid late nights).
• Instagram: Weekdays 10AM-2PM and evenings 5PM-7PM.
• Experiment with different times and check analytics to see what works for your audience.

Content Ideas:

• Behind-the-scenes photos of your business.
• Special offers and promotions.
• Customer testimonials and reviews.
• New menu items or services.
• Community events and celebrations.

Manage your upcoming scheduled posts and see what's coming up on your content calendar.

• Step 1: Go to the Social Media page.
• Step 2: Click the "Scheduled Posts" tab.
• Step 3: View all your upcoming posts with their scheduled times.
• Step 4: Click the eye icon to preview a scheduled post.
• Step 5: Click the trash icon to cancel a scheduled post if needed.

Track how your posts are performing with engagement metrics and insights.

• Step 1: Go to the Social Media page.
• Step 2: Click the "Analytics" tab.
• Step 3: Click "Fetch Latest Analytics" for Facebook or Instagram.
• Step 4: Review metrics like:
  • • Likes, comments, and shares
  • • Impressions (how many people saw it)
  • • Reach (unique viewers)
  • • Engagement rate
  • • Content score
• Step 5: Use this data to improve future posts!

Common issues and solutions:

"Page Permissions Required":

• This means you connected Facebook but didn't grant page management permissions.
• Click "Disconnect" then reconnect and make sure to grant all requested permissions.

"No Facebook Page Found":

• You need a Facebook Page (not a personal profile) to post.
• Create one at facebook.com/pages/create first.

"Instagram Post Failed - No Media":

• Instagram requires photos or videos for all posts.
• Upload an image or video before posting to Instagram.

"Instagram Not Connecting":

• Make sure your Instagram is a Business account (not personal).
• Verify it's linked to a Facebook Page in Instagram settings.
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting Facebook with all permissions.

Professional tax return management for tax preparation businesses

Key Features:

• Upload & Track: Upload client tax return documents and track their refund status through the entire process.
• Filing Fee Management: Set and track filing fees for each tax return.
• Refund Tracking: Monitor refund amounts and update status (Pending, In Progress, Completed, Rejected, etc.).
• Client Directory: Unified view of all clients from appointments, imported contacts, and tax returns.
• Notifications: Automatically notify clients via email and SMS when status changes.
• Tax Questionnaires: Send questionnaires to clients to gather additional information.
• Statistics Dashboard: View total returns, filing fees, refunds, and status summaries.

Upload and track client tax returns with ease:

• Step 1: Navigate to "Tax Services" in your dashboard sidebar.
• Step 2: Click the "Upload Tax Return" button at the top right.
• Step 3: Fill in the client information:
  • Client's full name (required)
  • Email address (required for notifications)
  • Phone number (optional, but needed for SMS)
• Step 4: Select the Tax Year from the dropdown (e.g., 2024, 2023).
• Step 5: Enter the Filing Fee amount you're charging the client.
• Step 6: Optionally enter the Refund Amount if known.
• Step 7: Select the initial Refund Status (usually "Pending").
• Step 8: Add any Status Notes for internal tracking.
• Step 9: Click "Choose File" to upload the tax return document (PDF, DOC, DOCX, or images).
• Step 10: Choose notification preferences (Email and/or SMS).
• Step 11: Click "Upload Tax Return" to save.

View, edit, and manage all client tax returns from one central location.

Viewing Returns:

• All uploaded returns are displayed in a table with key information visible at a glance.
• Use the search bar to find specific clients by name, email, or phone number.
• Filter by Tax Year and Status using the dropdown filters.
• Click the "Clear" button to reset all filters.

Actions for Each Return:

• View Document: Click the three-dot menu and select "View Document" to open the tax return file.
• Download: Download the tax return document to your computer.
• Edit Details: Update client information, filing fee, refund amount, or status.
• View Questionnaire: If status is "Need More Info" or "In Review", view client responses.
• Delete: Permanently remove a tax return (this also deletes the uploaded document).

Statistics Dashboard:

At the top of the page, you'll see cards showing:

• Total number of returns uploaded
• Total filing fees collected
• Total refunds processed
• Status summary (Pending, In Progress, Completed)

Keep clients informed by updating their tax return status:

Available Status Options:

• Pending (Gray): Initial status when tax return is first uploaded.
• In Progress (Blue): Return is being processed or filed.
• Completed (Green): Refund has been processed and sent to the client.
• Rejected (Red): Return was rejected by the IRS and needs client action.
• Need More Info (Orange): Additional information is needed from the client.
• In Review (Yellow): Client has submitted a questionnaire or response, awaiting your review.

How to Update Status:

• Step 1: Find the client's return in the table.
• Step 2: Click the three-dot menu (⋮) on the right side of the row.
• Step 3: Select "Edit Details".
• Step 4: Change the Refund Status dropdown to the new status.
• Step 5: Add or update Status Notes to explain the change (especially important for rejections).
• Step 6: Ensure notification preferences are set (Email and/or SMS).
• Step 7: Click "Update Tax Return" to save changes.

The Client Directory provides a unified view of all your clients from multiple sources.

What's Included:

• Appointment Clients: Clients who have booked appointments with you.
• Tax Return Clients: Clients with uploaded tax returns.
• Imported Clients: Clients you've manually imported into your system.

Using the Directory:

• Search: Type in the search bar to find clients by name, email, or phone number.
• Client Information: Each entry shows the client's name, email, phone, and data source.
• Appointment History: See total appointments and last visit date for appointment clients.
• Tax Return Status: View the latest tax return status and year for clients with tax returns.
• Load More: The directory shows 20 clients at a time. Click "Load More" to see additional clients.

Tax questionnaires help you collect additional information from clients when needed.

When to Use Questionnaires:

• When you need more details about the client's income, deductions, or dependents.
• When the IRS requires additional documentation or clarification.
• To gather information for complex tax situations (business expenses, home office, etc.).

How It Works:

• Step 1: Set the client's tax return status to "Need More Info".
• Step 2: The client will receive a notification to complete the questionnaire.
• Step 3: Clients access the questionnaire using their tracking code at the "My Return" page.
• Step 4: Once submitted, the status automatically changes to "In Review".
• Step 5: Click the three-dot menu on the return and select "View Questionnaire" to see their responses.

Questionnaire Contents:

The questionnaire collects comprehensive information including:

• Personal and filing information
• Income sources (W-2, 1099, self-employment, etc.)
• Deductions and expenses
• Dependent information
• Business expenses and home office details
• Additional supporting documents

Keep clients informed with automatic email and SMS notifications.

Notification Types:

• Email Notifications: Detailed updates with tracking code and status information.
• SMS Notifications: Quick text message alerts (requires client phone number).

When Notifications Are Sent:

• When a new tax return is uploaded for the client.
• When the refund status is updated.
• When additional information is requested (Need More Info status).
• When the return is completed or rejected.

How to Enable/Disable Notifications:

• When uploading or editing a tax return, you'll see checkboxes for notifications.
• Email Notification: Checked by default. Requires valid email address.
• SMS Notification: Unchecked by default. Requires valid phone number.
• Toggle these checkboxes on or off based on client preferences.

What Clients Receive:

• Their unique tracking code to check status anytime.
• Current refund status and any notes you've added.
• Business name and contact information.
• Link to check their return status online.

When a tax return is rejected, clients can respond with corrections and additional documents.

The Rejection Process:

• Step 1: You set the status to "Rejected" and add detailed notes explaining the issue.
• Step 2: The client receives a notification with the rejection reason.
• Step 3: Using their tracking code, the client can submit a response with corrections.
• Step 4: Once submitted, the status changes to "In Review" and you're notified.

Viewing Client Responses:

• Find the tax return with "In Review" status.
• Click the three-dot menu (⋮) and select "View Rejection Response".
• Review the client's response notes and any documents they uploaded.
• Download any supporting documents for your review.

What Clients Can Submit:

• Written responses explaining corrections or providing clarifications.
• Multiple supporting documents (IDs, receipts, W-2s, etc.).
• Corrected information based on your rejection notes.

After Reviewing:

• If satisfied, update the status to "In Progress" to continue processing.
• If more information is still needed, set to "Need More Info" with clear instructions.
• If the issue persists, you can set back to "Rejected" with updated notes.