Tax organizer template for US CPA firms

Please complete this organizer and upload it, with the documents in section 9, to [portal link] by [date]. Answer every question, even if the answer is no. If you are not sure whether something matters, include it and we will decide. Do not email Social Security numbers, bank details or tax documents.

Social Security numbers: please confirm them through the secure portal only, not on this form if you are sending it any other way.

• Single
• Married, and we want to file jointly
• Married, and we want to discuss filing separately
• Head of household
• Qualifying surviving spouse

Tick everything that happened during the tax year:

• Married, divorced or separated.
• A child was born or adopted, or a dependent left home.
• Moved home, or moved to a different state (give the date).
• Bought, sold or refinanced a home or other property.
• Started, closed or sold a business or side income.
• Changed jobs, lost a job, or retired.
• Received an inheritance or a large gift.
• Took money out of a retirement account or converted to a Roth.
• Bought or sold cryptocurrency or other digital assets.
• Received a letter from the IRS or a state tax agency (please upload it).
• Were a victim of identity theft.

Tick each that applies, and upload the form or statement:

• Wages: Form W-2 from every employer.
• Tips or overtime pay (tell us; new deductions may apply for 2025 through 2028).
• Self-employment or contract income: Forms 1099-NEC, 1099-K and your own records of income and expenses.
• Interest and dividends: Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV.
• Sales of stocks, funds or other investments: Form 1099-B and the cost of anything bought before the broker reported it.
• Digital asset sales or exchanges: statements from every exchange or wallet.
• Retirement distributions: Form 1099-R.
• Social Security benefits: Form SSA-1099.
• Unemployment or state tax refunds: Form 1099-G.
• Partnership, S corporation, estate or trust income: Schedule K-1 (these often arrive late; tell us they are coming).
• Rental property income and expenses, for each property.
• Alimony received under an agreement made before 2019.
• Income from outside the United States.
• Anything else: gambling winnings (Form W-2G), prizes, jury duty, cancelled debt (Form 1099-C).

• Mortgage interest: Form 1098, and the date of any refinance.
• Property taxes paid.
• State and local income taxes paid, beyond what was withheld.
• Charitable gifts: receipts for cash gifts and written acknowledgements for larger ones; details of any non-cash gifts.
• Medical and dental expenses not reimbursed by insurance.
• Health savings account: Forms 5498-SA and 1099-SA.
• Retirement contributions: IRA, SEP or solo 401(k) contributions you made yourself.
• Education: Form 1098-T for tuition, Form 1098-E for student loan interest.
• Childcare and dependent care: provider name, address, tax identification number and amount paid.
• Interest on a loan for a new personal vehicle bought after 2024 (a new deduction for 2025 through 2028, with conditions): the loan statement and the vehicle details.
• Energy improvements to your home, or a clean vehicle purchase: receipts and manufacturer certifications.
• Educator expenses, if you are a teacher.
• Business use of your home or vehicle, if self-employed: square footage and mileage logs.

Age 65 or over during the year? Tell us: an additional deduction applies for 2025 through 2028, subject to income limits.

• Coverage through the Marketplace: Form 1095-A (needed to reconcile the premium tax credit).
• Coverage through an employer or government program: Form 1095-B or 1095-C, if you received one.

• At any time during the year, did you have a financial account outside the United States, or signature authority over one? If yes, tell us the institution, country and highest balance (a separate FBAR filing may be required).
• Did you receive, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a digital asset? The federal return asks this question directly.
• Do you own any interest in a foreign company, trust or pension?

• Last year’s federal and state returns (new clients only).
• Every W-2, 1099, 1098 and K-1 you received.
• Brokerage and digital asset year-end statements.
• Records of income and expenses for any business or rental property.
• Receipts for charitable gifts, medical costs, childcare and education.
• Estimated tax payment confirmations.
• Health coverage forms (1095-A, B or C).
• Any letter from the IRS or a state tax agency.
• A voided check or bank letter for direct deposit of your refund (upload through the portal only).
• Government photo ID for you and your spouse (new clients, or if your ID has changed).

I confirm that the information I have provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and that I will tell [Firm name] about anything I receive after sending this organizer.

Firm note: where you will use or disclose a client’s tax return information for any purpose other than preparing the return, including sending it to some third-party tools, check whether Section 7216 of the Internal Revenue Code requires the client’s written consent, and get it in the required form first. Tax law references checked as at October 2026; confirm each against IRS guidance for the tax year.

This template is a starting point, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on where you practise, your professional body and your clients; take advice on anything you are unsure of.