You should allow an hour to complete the steps in this guide. It will walk you through the recommended way to configure Glasscubes to request and gather your client’s personal tax information more efficiently.
It will save time by chasing outstanding items for you.
Responses and any follow-on discussions will be contained and organised, making them quick to find.
Real-time reporting monitors the progress of your client's requests in a transparent environment.
Administrators only
The following steps must be completed by a platform Administrator. You can have more than one Administrator, but we recommend that they be kept to a minimum.
An Administrator can change the platform’s configuration settings, add and remove users, and has full access to the contents of the account.
To access the account settings, click on your initials at the top right corner of the screen and select Account settings from the drop-down menu.
Now, follow the simple steps below:
1. Add a payment method
1. Add a payment method
Monthly subscription payments must be automated. Either add a payment card to the billing section of your account, or contact us and we will set up a Direct Debit for you.
2. Brand your account
2. Brand your account
Add your firm’s name and logo to the branding section; they will appear in system-generated email notifications.
3. Create your workspace structure
3. Create your workspace structure
A workspace is a permission-controlled area where you can send requests for information, manage the client's responses, and organise any ongoing correspondence.
The most common configuration is to create a workspace for each client, giving access to any other team members who support that client or require visibility.
Each workspace must have a unique name. We recommend including a unique reference, such as the client ID allocated by your practice management system, the client's surname, the client's first name, and the tag Personal Tax, which will be helpful for grouping and reporting.
It should look similar to this: ID1234 - Smith, Ann - Personal Tax
When you create your workspaces, several features can be enabled.
Initially, we recommend enabling only the ‘Requests’ feature (other features can be added later if required).
If you need to create workspaces in bulk rather than individually, don't hesitate to contact us.
4. Set up your information request template
4. Set up your information request template
For convenience and consistency, it’s a good idea to create an information request template to quickly distribute personal tax information requests.
To create a template, navigate to Account settings > Advanced options and click the Manage templates button. When the pop-up appears, click the blue Create button.
Now, simply enter the description of the information you require. You can request a list of items by adding one on each line. However, for personal tax information requests, our most successful customers use a single-line request.
We recommend using the description: 'Please use this secure transfer facility for all communication relating to your tax return.'
Single-Line vs Multiple-Line Request - why a single-line item is the best option for personal tax.
Then click 'Next' to continue.
You can now enhance your request by adding supporting guidance or files. Simply click the pencil icon to edit. We recommend attaching relevant materials to encourage your clients to engage with your information request. Here’s a generic checklist you can customise to fit your needs.
We highly recommend adding the instruction: 'Click on your tax checklist below to review and download a copy.'
In the example above, we have also added a generic tax checklist to the request. If you prefer to add a customised list or aide-memoire to each request, you do not need to add a file to the template.
To continue, click Save, then click Next.
Give your template a name, a subject line, and a message for the email notification that will be sent to the client. We recommend using:
For the template name: 'Tax Return Information Request - Year Ended 5 April 2026'
Subject line: '$CLIENT FIRSTNAME$ $CLIENT SURNAME$ - Tax Return Information Request - Year Ended 5 April 2026'
The Email notification message as below:
Dear $CLIENT PREFERRED NAME$,
Your tax checklist for the year to 5 April 2026 is now available to view and download.
'IMPORTANT NOTE: Please use this secure transfer facility for all communication relating to your tax return.'
With thanks and kind regards.
$SENDERS FIRSTNAME$
* Please note: The variables with dollar signs on each side will be personalised for each request, and will not work for any requests sent outside of the bulk distribution.
Click next to continue.
Assign a due date to your information request; we recommend 30th November. Then click Advanced reminder options.
Create your own automated reminder schedule. We recommend the frequency above to deliver the best results.
You can also add a customised message to any of your reminders.
Finally, click Save to complete the template.
5. Sending a test information request
5. Sending a test information request
Navigate to a workspace, create a request using the template you created, and send a request to a colleague. This will allow you to view a request from a client's perspective.
Click the New request button, and select New request from the dropdown.
Click on the Select template (optional) drop-down and select your template.
Click Next to continue.
Enter the email address(es) to which you want to send the request, then follow the remaining steps of the wizard to send the request.
This is an example of the email notification that the client will receive.
When the recipient clicks the green button, they are directed to the upload panel with your instructions.
6. Adding team members
6. Adding team members
Users are invited to the platform by navigating to Account settings > User management.
Add their email address, select the workspaces you want to grant them access to, and assign the appropriate permissions. This will typically be a Contributor. Here are some more detailed instructions.
Top Tip: As Glasscubes is a client-facing communication tool, we highly recommend that all team members upload their profile pictures. This makes the platform feel more personal and welcoming to your clients.
7. Client communication
7. Client communication
It is important that you introduce Glasscubes to your clients no more than seven days before you plan to send out your information requests.
This is a valuable opportunity to explain that you have implemented a new secure transfer facility, providing a secure communication channel directly to their trusted advisor.
This is our recommended email communication:
Subject: Important update: Tax Return - Year Ended 5 April 2026
Dear Sir/Madam
We have introduced a new secure transfer facility for sending us your personal tax information. Please do not send us your information by email. Instead, use this secure facility for all communication relating to your tax return.
You will receive an email from this facility on [Date]. If you do not receive it, please check your junk email folder and mark it as ‘not junk’. It will give you access to your tax return information checklist. The checklist contains figures from the previous tax year, if applicable, and will help you collate the information we require.
The tax return submission deadline is 31 January 2027. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will impose automatic non-refundable penalties for late filing, regardless of whether there is any liability. We therefore kindly request that you provide us with the relevant information as soon as possible and no later than 30th November 2026.
We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
8. Sending information requests to clients
8. Sending information requests to clients
Information requests can be sent in bulk, up to 300 at a time, and may be increased upon request.
If you need to send personalised requests in bulk, e.g., those containing a client-specific aide-memoire, please contact your Glasscubes Customer Success Manager.
We highly recommend engaging with your Glasscubes Customer Success Manager before sending any client requests.
If you need any assistance with your onboarding, please contact us.















