What is third-party access?
Third-party access is when a taxpayer gives someone (for example, a paid tax preparer) access to their tax accounts. After approval, a taxpayer’s tax accounts will be added to the logon of the third party.
Does a third party start the process to work on a taxpayer’s behalf?
Yes. A third party initiates the process to request access rights to provide services to a taxpayer on MassTaxConnect.
When a third party requests access to a taxpayer’s tax account(s):
- The taxpayer has final authority on who has access and
- What type of access is given.
Additionally, a taxpayer can revoke a third party's access at any time.
How does a third party request access to a taxpayer’s account(s)?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select Manage My Profile in the top right section of the panel.
- Select More.
- Select Request to Manage Other Taxpayer’s Accounts in the Third-party Access section.
- Select the taxpayer's ID type.
- Enter taxpayer’s ID number and legal name.
- Select account(s) and level of access.
- Choose one of two options for the taxpayer to approve the request:
- Printed form or
- MassTaxConnect.
If the printed form option is selected, once the request is submitted, the third party will:
- Select the Print Client Authorization button from the confirmation page
- Complete the form and follow the instructions on the form to send it to DOR.
If the MassTaxConnect option is selected, the taxpayer will:
- Receive an email with the request from the third party and
- Complete the request for access online.
- The third party and taxpayer will be notified by email from DOR once the request has been approved or denied.
How does a taxpayer approve a third party's request for access on MassTaxConnect?
There are two options to approve the request:
- Printed form or
- MassTaxConnect.
To approve a third-party initiated access request from MassTaxConnect, a taxpayer will:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect (individual taxpayers can learn how to create a MassTaxConnect logon by reviewing this video)
- Select the Manage My Profile hyperlink in the top right section of the panel
- Select the More… tab and then the View Access Requests from Third Parties hyperlink in the Third-party Access panel
- Select the Approve/Deny hyperlink for the request
- Select the check box in the Give Rights column
- Select the access type in the Granted Rights column.
The third party will receive an e-message from DOR once a taxpayer approves or denies the request for access.
How does a taxpayer increase or decrease a third party's access?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select the Manage My Profile hyperlink and then the More…tab.
- Select the Manage Third-party Access hyperlink in the Third-party Access panel.
- Select the Username hyperlink for the third party.
- Select the Access tab or Manage Access in the upper right-hand side of the panel.
- To change the current access to a tax account, select the Access Type hyperlink (e.g., File and Pay).
- Select Change under Account Security.
- Select the new access type from the drop-down list.
- Select the Save button to complete the change.
If a taxpayer ends a relationship with a third party, they should cancel access for the third party for security purposes.
How does a taxpayer cancel a third party's access?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select the Manage My Profile tab and then the More… tab.
- Select Manage Third Party Access in the Third Party Access panel.
- Select the Username hyperlink for the third party.
- Select Manage Account Access located in the upper right corner.
- Cancel Access across from General Access.
- Answer Yes to prompt confirmation.
Once access is canceled, it cannot be undone. It will be up to the third party to request access again for the taxpayer’s approval.
Can a third party cancel access to a client’s account(s) on MassTaxConnect?
Yes. Access to a client’s account(s) is managed through the third party’s logon. To manage a third party’s logon, the third party must:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect
- Select Manage My Profile
- Select More…
- Select Manage My Access in the Access panel
- Locate the Client and Account type that you want to manage and select Tax Administrator
- Select Cancel My Access.
A third party can manage logon access for its own business using the same steps.
Should a third-party tax professional sign up a client for a username and password if asked?
No. A tax professional can assist a client with the registration process.
- A taxpayer should choose their username and password.
- A taxpayer should add their username and password to MassTaxConnect to protect confidentiality.
- Once the taxpayer has a MassTaxConnect account, the third party can request access.
- When a business or taxpayer registers for online access, an email address is required. Shared email addresses are not allowed.
What are the security risks of impersonating a user?
There are many security risks when impersonating a user.
- A username and password determine the access roles and rights.
- Sharing passwords opens access to the original taxpayer’s personal information.
- No MassTaxConnect account holder should share their password with anyone.
Where can a third party view clients who have assigned access rights to them?
- To view all clients, a third-party designee will log in to MassTaxConnect.
- The list of clients, and the third party’s own business, will be displayed on the All tab.
Can a tax practitioner use an ITIN rather than an SSN when creating a third party account?
No. A practitioner cannot use an ITIN number. DOR requires an SSN or FEIN for security and identification purposes when creating an online account.
How can a taxpayer reactivate access for a third party?
To reactivate access, a taxpayer will contact the third party to ask them to send a new request through MassTaxConnect.
Will a third party be notified that their client has been sent a letter or notice from DOR?
Yes. The authorized third party will receive an email notifying them that correspondence has been mailed to the client on an account level.
What is the difference between POA and third party?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is required if the representative is requesting taxpayer information from DOR including:
- Tax returns and
- Other documentation.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Executing waivers and offers of waivers of restrictions on assessments or collection of deficiencies in taxes and
- Waivers of notice of disallowance of a claim for credit or refund.
A client may designate a third party on MassTaxConnect to:
- File
- Pay
- Amend tax returns and
- Conduct work on their behalf.
How does a third party access the Manage My Clients feature on MassTaxConnect?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Choose Manage My Profile.
- Select Manage My Clients.
What if a third party does not see Manage My Clients?
- Select the Manage My Profile hyperlink.
- Select the More... tab.
- Select the Change Client View hyperlink in the Access panel.
- Select the check box and Submit to access the client management features.
- Otherwise, select Cancel.
After access is approved, will the third party see their client when they log on to MassTaxConnect?
Yes. Once the approval has been granted by the taxpayer, the third party will see that taxpayer listed when they log on to MassTaxConnect.
A third party can designate favorite status to the clients they work with regularly so that they appear on the screen when they log in. Visit How to designate a client as a favorite (PDF) for more information.