Using Blindfold

1. Subscribe

   Choose Start subscription on the pricing page and enter how many preparers you need. Your first seat is $50 a month and each additional seat is $35. Payment is handled by Stripe.

2. Invite your preparers

   From your firm page, send an invitation to each preparer's work email. They sign in with a link, with no password to manage.

3. Decide your firm defaults

   Agree as a team on two things before the first release:

   • Whether employer and payer names stay in the clean copy (they're often useful context for the AI)
   • Where locked keys are saved in your document system, and how passphrases are shared

4. Change seats any time

   Open Billing to add or remove preparers. Added seats are prorated for the month.

1. Drop in the file

   Drag a PDF, a scan or a phone photo onto Load the return, or tap it to choose a file. You can also paste text straight into the box.

   • Software PDFs read instantly, including fillable form values.
   • Scans and photos are read with OCR on your computer. A multi-page scan takes a minute or two.

2. Note the reference code

   Each document gets a reference like TA-7KQ2M. Write it on the client's file. The audit log uses this code instead of the client's name.

1. Check the found names

   Names in labeled boxes (W-2 box e, 1099 recipient, K-1 partner, 1040 header) are added automatically and marked found. Remove any that aren't people.

2. Add anyone missing

   Type a name and choose Add person or Add organization. Add dependents, ex-spouses, and anyone named in notes or statements.

3. Decide on organizations

   Employers, banks and payers appear under Also found. Tap one to remove it, or leave it in if the AI needs the context.

The original sits on the left and the clean copy on the right, scrolling together. On a phone, switch between them with the tabs.

1. Clear every red and amber mark

   The summary shows how many are left. Remove what identifies someone; leave what doesn't.

2. Read the free text

   Notes, statements and explanations are where names hide. Tap any word to remove it, or select a phrase and choose Redact selection.

3. Spot-check the numbers on OCR documents

   Compare a few amounts with the original. OCR can read a 5 as a 6.

1. Confirm the review

   Check I reviewed the clean copy against the original. The copy buttons unlock.

2. Copy for AI

   Copy for AI adds a two-line note telling the model what the tokens mean. Use Copy text only if you're pasting somewhere that doesn't need it.

3. The release is logged

   Your name, the time, the reference code and the counts go to the firm's audit log. Nothing from the return itself is recorded.

The key maps every token back to the real value. Blindfold forgets it when you close the tab, so save it before you move on.

1. Lock it

   Open Re-identification key, enter a passphrase of 10 or more characters, and choose Lock key.

2. Save the locked block

   Choose Copy locked key and paste it into the client's file. It starts with TAX-KEY v1 and the reference code.

3. Keep the passphrase separate

   Store passphrases where your firm keeps credentials, never in the same note as the locked key.

Paste the clean copy into Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini and ask your question. Ask the AI to refer to people by their tokens so the answer is easy to restore.

1. Same session

   Open Restore names in an AI answer and paste the reply. Tokens are replaced with real values on your computer.

2. Later session

   Choose Open a locked key, paste the locked block from the client file, enter the passphrase and choose Unlock. Then paste the AI's answer into the restore box.

Every release appears at the bottom of Blindfold. Use Mine or Everyone to filter, and Copy as CSV to export for your written information security plan.

• Recorded: preparer, time, reference code, document fingerprint, source type, forms found, items removed, manual edits, flags left, and whether the review was confirmed.
• Never recorded: names, ID numbers, addresses, amounts or any return text.
• Check column: Clear means nothing was flagged at release. A count means the preparer released with marks still showing.

To find the client behind an entry, match the reference code to the one written on the client's file.

• Reference code written on the client's file
• Every person in the return is in the name list
• No red or amber marks left, or each one checked and left on purpose
• Notes and statements read line by line
• Key locked and saved to the client file
• Passphrase stored separately