Share Tax and Legal Documents Securely with Your Accountant

Why shared folders aren’t ideal for one-off delivery

Permanent folders linger, permissions drift, and old links get forwarded. If you only need to deliver documents once, keep it ephemeral.

A safer workflow (your accountant will thank you)

• One-time, expiring link with an access code sent by phone/SMS. Basics: The Safe Way to Share Passwords in 2025 (No Email).
• Verify identity on a quick call before sharing high-impact data. Anti-phishing habits: Verify Links Like a Pro.
• Prefer zero-knowledge delivery so providers can’t read content. Primer: Zero-Knowledge Sharing.

Before you send: document hygiene

• Convert to PDF to reduce active content (macros).
• Strip metadata (author, location, EXIF). Many editors support “remove properties.”
• Optional watermark with recipient name/date for accountability.
• Zip encryption as an extra layer; send the zip password via a different channel.

After delivery

• Ask for confirmation of receipt, then delete the link or let it expire.
• Avoid email archives—don’t attach the same PDFs in threads later.

If the docs were emailed already

• Replace and rotate: Re-send via one-time link, then ask both sides to delete the email copies.
• Do a quick sweep for other exposures: Audit Your Old Messages for Leaked Secrets.

Useful external resources

• EFF on strong passwords 🔗 — great refresher to pair with secure delivery.
• NIST resources 🔗 — general guidance that informs many best practices.

Related reading

Deliver files without long-lived folders: Share Sensitive Photos and Documents Safely

What to do if something leaks: The Simple Incident Playbook for Leaked Passwords

Teach non-tech clients a simple routine: Plain-English Guide for Clients/Family

Bottom line

Short-lived, verified delivery beats permanent folders—especially for sensitive tax and legal data. Keep it ephemeral, verified, and documented.

Secure One-Time Messages - Send confidential messages that self-destruct after being read once. Your privacy is our priority. →.