The step was taken as security continued to be a major issue for professional tax preparers during the last tax season.

 “We see security and fraud continuing to have an impact on the profession,” says Matt Jagst, senior director of project management for Thomson Reuters’ software for accounting firms.

The company already has “tens of thousands” of firms using multi-factor authentication, Jagst sys. Now, that step will be required before anyone files a return electronically. Thomson has been conducting education efforts about security for the profession.