Prerequisites and Access
This page covers what you need before using TidalForms, including system requirements, account permissions, and preparation steps for your first document upload.
System requirements
TidalForms runs in your web browser. There's no software to install or maintain.
Supported browsers:
- Google Chrome (recommended, latest two versions)
- Mozilla Firefox (latest two versions)
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based, latest two versions)
- Safari (latest two versions on macOS)
Hardware recommendations:
- Screen resolution of 1280x720 or higher
- Stable internet connection (10 Mbps or faster recommended for large PDF uploads)
- Modern processor and 4GB+ RAM for smooth performance when reviewing documents
File requirements for uploads:
- PDF format (multi-document PDFs are supported and will be split automatically)
- Maximum file size: 10MB per upload
- Clear, legible scans work best for OCR accuracy
Access and permissions
Your firm administrator controls who can access TidalForms and what actions each person can perform.
User roles
| Role | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Admin | Manage users, configure firm settings, view all documents, export |
| Preparer | Upload documents, review and edit extracted data, export |
| Reviewer | Review and edit extracted data, limited export access |
| View Only | View documents and extracted data without editing |
Getting access
To create a firm workspace, use /auth/sign-up, check Create Firm Account, and provide a firm name. The firm is created during signup and the creator is its Admin. Verify your email before accessing protected product routes; verification does not create the firm.
Leaving Create Firm Account unchecked creates an individual Preparer account, not a firm administrator. Its personal firm record is still created during signup, before verification.
Firm administrators can create pending team-invitation records for existing firms. The current interface records invitation status and role; do not rely on it for a documented email-link acceptance or automatic account-provisioning workflow. These team records are separate from retired public signup invites.
Firm-level data isolation
Each accounting firm's data is kept separate from others. You can only see documents and data belonging to your firm. This isolation is enforced automatically, so you don't need to worry about accidentally accessing another firm's information.
Before your first upload
Prepare your documents and workspace for the smoothest first experience.
Document preparation checklist
- Remove staples, paper clips, or bindings that could cause scanning issues
- Ensure scans are straight, not rotated or skewed
- Check that all text is legible, especially numbers and form identifiers
- Combine related pages into single PDFs if needed (multi-document PDFs will be split automatically)
- Remove any pages with sensitive information you don't want processed
Account readiness
Before uploading, confirm that:
- You can log into TidalForms successfully
- Your user role permits document uploads (Preparer or Admin)
- Your firm's workspace is configured with the correct export settings
What happens after you upload
Understanding the workflow helps set expectations:
- Upload: Files are stored securely and validated
- Processing: OCR extracts data from your tax documents
- Review: Extracted data appears in the Review Hub for verification
- Export: Approved data can be exported in your chosen format
Processing time varies based on document complexity and current queue volume. Most documents complete OCR within minutes.
Next steps
Once you've confirmed your access and prepared your documents:
- Follow the Quick Start guide to upload your first document
- Complete your Account Setup to configure team access and firm settings