Filing taxes each year can be daunting for clients, and they may not have an accurate understanding of what information or paperwork they need. A client organizer removes any guesswork; these handy forms break down the essential information and documents needed for a client’s tax-filing scenario.
In addition to keeping your clients organized, client organizers streamline the filing process and can boost your efficiency.
Successful tax seasons need organization
Delivered to your client with an engagement letter before you begin filing, organizers prompt each client to think critically about their needs, situation and tax-filing requirements.
Whether your client is filing for employee benefit plans, estates, individuals, partnerships or another tax scenario, you can find a client organizer option through the AICPA® Tax Section’s Annual Tax Compliance Kit.
A lot can change for a business or individual in a year, and reviewing each step on the organizer could prompt them to provide information they may not have thought was pertinent or they simply forgot. Organizers can signal if a client needs to file in an additional state, if a recent property purchase qualifies for energy credits or if they need to account for their newly started business. As you review the organizer and plan, you may need to send your client an addendum to their engagement letter to expand the scope of work.
Organizers act as an additional tool for communication. They can detail deadlines, partnership instructions, future meeting dates, client portal login instructions and other information needed to keep all parties organized and on track.
These forms are robust and thorough. When you present the form to the client, walk them through the pages and explain why these early preparations are beneficial to both of you. Remind them that because all the important documentation will be presented to you before you start filing, time won’t be wasted chasing down any missing forms or information later on.
With documentation of your client’s answers, the organizer sets a foundation of due diligence. Along with other engagement documentation, this helps ensure that information from the client has been captured completely and accurately.
Boost your efficiency and value
When you have all the information and paperwork you need to serve your clients, you can be the most efficient and provide them the most value.
You and your clients deserve to head into the upcoming tax season confidently. In addition to organizers suited for different tax situations, the AICPA Tax Section’s Annual Tax Compliance Kit has engagement letters, tax return checklists, practice guides and other resources to help you manage your tax season workflow — all available for Tax Section members.
Not a member? You can download a C corporation tax return checklist to sample what the Annual Tax Compliance Kit offers. Join the AICPA Tax Section today to access invaluable resources like the Annual Tax Compliance Kit.