Stage 1: Onboarding
What happens when you first work with a practice: agreement, secure access and the first document list.
Tax season · Version 1 · 2 min read · Reviewed by Meridian Review Team · Sep 15, 2026
What this stage means
Onboarding is setup. The practice confirms what service you want, which tax year it covers, and who is authorized to work on it.
What you will usually do
- Review and accept the engagement agreement your practice sends.
- Set up access to the secure portal.
- Receive a document list for your situation.
What the practice does
- Opens a record for the right tax year.
- Notes your preferred way to be contacted.
- Records only the authorizations you give.
Common questions
Can my spouse see my records? Not automatically. Authorization is set up with your preparer.
Is this when I send my documents? Often the first list arrives here, but sending usually happens in the next stage.
Where the hub fits
The hub teaches and explains. Your record, your agreement and your documents live in the secure portal.