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FileCabinet CS Is Sunsetting — What Should You Do Now?

FileCabinet CS Is Sunsetting — What Should You Do Now?

“FC seems to be slowing down, and NetClient is just awful. We've been using both for years. We're not leaving UltraTax, but need a better client portal solution, and seems like we need to start thinking about FC sunsetting or being over capacity.” — Reddit user on r/taxpros
Published: July 31, 2025

If you’ve been in the accounting world for a while, you’ve likely heard the rumors for years: “There’s no way they’ll keep FileCabinet CS running much longer.”

Whether it came from a colleague, a sales rep pushing Onvio, or the threads lighting up on r/taxpros, everyone could sense it coming. And honestly? That alone says a lot about how outdated the software had become.

It’s Official: FileCabinet CS Will Reach End-of-Life in 2027

Thomson Reuters has now confirmed it: support for FileCabinet CS will end in 2027.

That might feel like a distant deadline, but if you’ve lived through even one busy season, you know the truth: Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for chaos. Plus, you’ll lose 2+ years of competitive advantage and efficiency gains if you wait to move.

Make the Move and Make It Count

Yes, switching software is a big deal. We get it. There’s real concern around downtime, confused staff, migration mistakes, and business disruption. But staying put comes with hidden costs, and they’re getting harder to ignore.

  • That 100GB storage cap? It’s limiting your client base.
  • Manual document routing? That’s time you could be billing.
  • Outdated tech? It’s driving away the talent you worked hard to hire.
  • And your clients? They expect modern, mobile, seamless.

Firms that approach this as more than a software replacement avoid disruption and accelerate growth, boost profits, and deliver the client experience modern firms are built on.

Think of This as More Than a Software Upgrade

Before we dive into the step-by-step plan for moving off FileCabinet CS, let’s reframe the situation:

FileCabinet CS going away isn’t a loss. Yes, the change can be overwhelming, especially for firms who have relied on FCCS for decades. But we’ve seen it again and again with our customers: the firms that lean into this transition end up significantly improving how their entire practice runs.

The benefits touch every part of your business:

When firms move to SmartVault, they’re:

  • Eliminating paper-based workflows and the chaos they cause
  • Replacing clunky portals that frustrate clients
  • Reclaiming hours lost to manual routing and filing
  • Empowering remote teams with secure, consistent access
  • Delivering a seamless, professional client experience

The comment we hear most from clients who made the move? “I wish we had done this sooner.”

So yes, FileCabinet CS is sunsetting. We encourage you to embrace the change and see this for what it really is: your chance to upgrade your firm.

Step-by-Step Guide to Replace FileCabinet CS

The good news? Hundreds of firms have already made the move, and not just away from FCCS, but toward something far better.

SmartVault gives your firm a modern, cloud-based document management and client portal solution that replaces both FileCabinet CS and NetClient CS, without forcing you to abandon UltraTax CS or your existing workflows.

We’ll show you how to make the transition smooth, secure, and worth it.

Step 1: Audit Your Current Tools and Workflows

Many firms say technology is a strategic priority, but very few actually measure whether their tools are improving workflows or just adding noise. Before you switch from FileCabinet CS, you need a clear, honest picture of your current tech stack.

To-do list:
  • Map out your current systems: What are you using for document storage, eSignature, tax prep, portals, and internal communication? Make a full inventory.
  • Look for gaps: Where are files handled manually? Are staff downloading, renaming, and re-uploading files between disconnected systems?
  • Identify pain points: Look at recurring friction around file collection, storage, and client communication. Are you relying on email attachments or scanning in paper?
  • Talk to your team: Ask what slows them down. They know exactly where the inefficiencies are hiding.

Bonus Question: How can your tech support your end-to-end tax prep workflow?

Moving away from FileCabinet CS is your opportunity to streamline your entire tax preparation process from client onboarding through final delivery. When evaluating replacement solutions, consider how they support your complete workflow:

  • Client Engagement & Onboarding: Transform how you turn prospects into clients with streamlined proposals, engagement letters, and digital signatures. Instead of back-and-forth emails and manual processes, automate client outreach and capture intake information through secure portals.
  • Document Collection & Organization: Eliminate the chaos of scattered client submissions with structured digital intake forms, bulk document requests, and automated tracking. Mobile-friendly scanning mean no more chasing clients for missing paperwork.
  • Tax Preparation Integration: Seamlessly print and auto-route documents to UltraTax CS while maintaining team collaboration with role-based access.
  • Secure Delivery & Compliance: Complete the process with secure tax return delivery, automated eSignatures with IRS-compliant identity verification, and built-in payment controls.
  • Long-term Archival: Protect data with a SOC 2 Type 2 compliant storage platform and meet requirements for IRS 4557 and FTC Safeguards Rule.

Step 2: Define Goals for Your Cloud-Based Setup

Moving off FileCabinet CS is the perfect chance to rethink how your firm operates and build something better.

To-do list:
  • Define what “better” looks like: Are you trying to eliminate paper? Speed up reviews? Improve client experience? Support remote teams?
  • Visualize your ideal document workflow: How should files move from client to preparer to reviewer to delivery? What should your staff and clients never have to do again?
  • Evaluate SmartVault as your cloud DMS + portal solution:
    • Replaces FCCS with unlimited cloud storage
    • Replaces NetClient CS with a modern, branded client portal
    • Directly prints and auto-routes documents from UltraTax CS
    • Auto-organizes documents by client, year, and engagement
    • Unlimited eSignatures, custom proposals, engagement letters, and client requests — all in one place

Step 3: Inventory Your Clients and Files

Garbage in = garbage out. Don’t migrate a mess. SmartVault’s migration services make this a prime opportunity to clean up and standardize how you store files.

To-do list:
  • Sort clients into categories: Active, inactive, seasonal, long-term — so you know what’s critical vs. what can be archived.
  • Audit file types: Are you storing PDFs, scans, Excel sheets, Word docs, etc.? Know what’s moving over.
  • Review permissions: Which files are confidential? Who should have access? SmartVault makes it easy to assign permissions automatically during setup.

Step 4: Create a Migration Plan

The key to a smooth migration is planning ahead. Rushed transitions lead to mistakes, burnout, and client confusion.

To-do list:
  • Pick a smart timeline: Avoid tax season. Give yourself breathing room for training, cleanup, and rollout.
  • Assign responsibilities: Designate point people for file migration, internal training, and client communication.
  • Work with an expert: Partner with our onboarding team for a guided, hands-on experience

SmartVault has helped hundreds of firms migrate from FCCS. You don’t have to do it alone.

Step 5: Prep Your Team

Even the best platform will flop if your staff isn’t ready. Don’t just hand them a login — give them the “why” and the “how.”

To-do list:
  • Schedule team training: SmartVault offers role-specific training modules, live webinars, certifications, and custom sessions.
  • Build a team FAQ doc: Cover the basics like login steps, folder structure, how to invite clients, and how to get support.
  • Collect feedback early: Run weekly check-ins, short surveys, or open Slack threads to catch issues before they grow.

Step 6: Communicate With Clients

Clients notice when systems change, especially when it affects how they send, sign, or access documents. Communicate proactively.

To-do list:

Send a clear announcement: Tell clients what’s changing, when, and why. Focus on the benefits for them: faster service, better security, mobile access.

  • Set expectations: Share new login instructions, deadlines, and FAQs. Include support contact info.
  • Use your branded portal to reinforce trust: A professional, clean portal experience reflects positively on your firm.
  • Share how-to guides or videos: SmartVault can help you create short, branded tutorials for clients.

Step 7: Run a Pilot

Start small to test and refine before rolling out to your entire firm.

To-do list:
  • Pick a pilot group: A few internal staff or a batch of clients
  • Track performance: How fast can documents be collected? Are staff and clients adapting smoothly?
  • Refine as needed: Adjust folder templates, permissions, or workflows based on feedback.

Step 8: Go Live (and Keep Evolving)

The official launch might feel like the finish line, but in reality, it’s just the beginning. A successful go-live depends on how well your firm supports the team, captures feedback, and adapts in real-time.

To-do list:
  • Assign a go-live support lead: Make sure someone is on-call to handle real-time questions or issues. It doesn’t have to be IT; it just needs to be someone with answers (or the ability to escalate quickly).
  • Log common questions or friction points: Every issue is a chance to improve. Keep a running log of what goes wrong, what confuses people, and how it was resolved.
  • Lean on SmartVault’s ongoing support: We offer onboarding managers, live office hours, and SmartHour sessions for refresher training — long after go-live.

Wrapping Up: This is Your Chance to Build a Better Firm

Replacing FileCabinet CS might feel like a hassle now, but firms that have already moved tend to say the same thing: “We wish we had done it sooner.”

This is your chance to move to the cloud, streamline how your team works, and deliver the modern client experience your firm deserves. With SmartVault, you don’t have to start from scratch or figure it out alone. We’ve helped thousands of firms transition off FileCabinet CS with guided migration, best-practice workflows, and personalized support from day one.

Ready to see what SmartVault can do for your firm? Request a SmartVault demo and get a firsthand look at how we help firms break free from FCCS.