Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What file formats does TidalForms support?
TidalForms accepts PDF documents (single or multi-document bundles), JPEG images, and PNG images. Multi-page PDFs containing multiple tax forms are automatically separated into individual documents for processing.
For the full list of supported tax forms, see Uploading Documents.
Q: How do I invite team members?
Workspace administrators can invite team members from the Team Management section in Settings. Navigate to Settings, select Team Management, click Invite User, and enter the team member's email address. You can assign roles (Admin, Reviewer, or Preparer) based on their responsibilities.
For a complete walkthrough, see Account Setup.
Q: How is my data secured?
All data is encrypted at rest and in transit using industry-standard encryption protocols. Documents are stored in firm-scoped storage with row-level security, meaning your data is isolated from other organizations using the platform.
Q: What tax forms are supported?
TidalForms supports the most common US tax information returns including W-2, W-2G, and the full 1099 series (NEC, MISC, INT, DIV, B, R, G, K, OID, S, A, C, SA, QA, Q, SB, and SSA). We also support 1095-A, 1095-C, 1098-T, 1098-E, and 1098 forms.
Q: How long does document processing take?
Most documents process in 30 seconds to 2 minutes per page. Processing time depends on file size, document complexity, and current queue volume. Multi-document PDFs may take longer as they require separation before individual form processing.
You can monitor processing status in real time on the upload page. Status updates from Uploaded to Processing to OCR Complete as documents move through the pipeline.
Q: Can I upload multiple documents at once?
Yes. You can drag and drop multiple files into the upload area, or select several files using the file browser. TidalForms processes each file independently and creates separate review cases.
If you upload a multi-document PDF (such as a client packet with 12 forms), the system automatically identifies and separates each form, creating individual review cases for each document.
For details on the upload workflow, see Uploading Documents.
Q: What if the OCR extraction has errors?
The Review Hub displays extracted fields alongside the original document image, with confidence scores for each field. Low-confidence fields are flagged for your attention. You can correct any field value before approving the document for export.
All extracted data is verified by a human reviewer before export. This human-in-the-loop workflow ensures accuracy even when OCR confidence is lower on handwritten forms or lower-quality scans.
To learn more about reviewing extracted data, see the Review Hub guide.
Q: How do I export my processed data?
After reviewing and approving documents, navigate to Export in the main navigation. Select the documents you want to export, choose your output format (CSV, Excel, or JSON), and click Generate Export. The system creates a downloadable package with your verified data.
Export format preferences can be configured in workspace settings. For more information, see Exporting Data.
Q: What if the form type is identified incorrectly?
If a document is classified as the wrong form type, you can manually correct it in the Review Hub. Open the document, update the form type field, and the system will reload the appropriate field template for that form.
Misclassification is uncommon but can happen with non-standard form layouts or lower-quality scans. If you encounter repeated classification issues, ensure your source documents are legible and use standard IRS layouts.
Q: How do I get started with my first document?
If you have login credentials and a tax document ready, follow the Quick Start guide. It walks you through uploading a document, waiting for OCR processing, reviewing the extracted data, and exporting your results in five steps.
If you need to set up your account or invite team members first, start with Account Setup.
Q: Can I re-process a document?
If you need to re-run OCR on a document, contact your firm administrator or TidalForms support. Re-processing is typically used when a document was uploaded with quality issues that have since been resolved, or when form processing rules have been updated.
Q: What do the document statuses mean?
- Uploaded: Document received and stored, waiting to be submitted for processing
- Processing: Document is in the OCR pipeline
- OCR Complete: Extraction finished, document ready for review
- Needs Review: Document requires human verification (standard status after OCR)
- Reviewed: Document has been verified and approved
- Exported: Document data has been included in an export package
Status updates appear in real time on the upload page and in the Review Hub queue.