WilsonCA wrote:costs less (free)
Are costs always cash out the door? What about opportunity costs? Drain due to inefficiency and mistakes? Aren't those "soft" costs on a practice?
WilsonCA wrote:more secure
Debatable. Are they still sending IP PINs through the mail? Anyone can snag a letter out of grandpa's mailbox. Not likely they'll be able to pass grandpa's KBA test reliably. They've gotten a lot better. Around 25% of my older client's have trouble passing their own KBA tests because they ask about a relative's address from 30 years ago.
WilsonCA wrote:simple to use
So we have: (1) one process for all 1040 clients --- open up the e-signature platform and toggle the KBA button to on for return e-file authorizations OR (2) two different potential processes for 1040 clients --- open up the e-signature platform and get it 90% done, then switch windows, open up the return software, confirm there is at least one IP PIN in there, then switch windows back to the e-signature platform, and make a decision about whether to toggle on KBA or leave it off based on what was in the return software.
You're asserting #2 is more simple than #1? Is that right?
WilsonCA wrote:functionality already built into software.
Irrelevant. Doesn't negate that what you're proposing will create more inefficiency and pain points for the average firm.
WilsonCA wrote:But that doesn't make it efficient for the client.
So the solution to a minor inefficiency for the average client is to make things much more inefficient for the greater industry?
WilsonCA wrote:My point is that for the client, having an IP PIN should eliminate the need to pass KBA.
It doesn't though. An IP PIN can be intercepted just like any other document or data delivery. KBA is a higher level of authentication, as it is based on the
knowledge of the client.
I'm not going to go back and forth with you forever. What you're proposing isn't going to happen. And it's not a great idea.
If you have that much trouble with KBA, why not FedEx overnight the signature pages to each client along with a return envelope and prepaid postage. Sure, it's going to cost you megabucks, but it aligns with your primary motivation of making things most efficient for your clients. Please don't wish for industry-wide changes to cure a firm-level issue.