File Size Limit

Often the most efficient way to upload tax return PDFs is to get the electronic version directly from the tax preparer. These copies tend to be the most economical in size and best in terms of legibility.  Tax returns received in this way upload successfully despite being several hundred pages.

Alternatively, scanned PDFs work so long as they are legible and under 50MB. Here are some steps that can be taken to reduce the size of a file being uploaded:

1. Utilize the 'Print to PDF' or 'Save/Export as PDF' selection for an existing PDF of the return. This may create a PDF that is smaller in size than the original. 
2. If you have a paid Adobe or Foxit account, you can shrink the file size in the program to be below 50MB.
3. Delete extra pages from the return that are not read in by our OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software, like cover pages, state tax returns, statements, etc.
   
   
   On a PC or via Google Chrome:
   
   

    

   On a Mac computer:

   1. Go to the Preview app and open the PDF you want to compress.

   2. Choose File > Export. (Do not choose Export as PDF.)

   3. Select the Quartz Filter pop-up menu, then choose Reduce File Size.

   
   
   
   
4. Some advisors print a physical copy of the tax return then scan it back in with only the required pages. This may also reduce the file size.