Tax preparation intake form
A tax preparation intake form collects a new client's basic information and tells you which documents they will provide before you start their return. This reduces follow-up emails and sets clear expectations.
The form beside this text is live. Fill it in and submit it — it validates exactly as it would for a real respondent, and saves nothing.
Document checklist prevents back-and-forth discovery
Checking W-2 vs. 1099 upfront signals whether the client is an employee or self-employed.
Asking about life changes identifies deductions and filing status changes early
A client who married mid-year or started a business will tell you in this field, not after you've already started the return.
No card required.
Tax Preparation Intake Form
Live previewHow to build this form
6 steps in the editor. Nothing here needs a paid plan.
- Add text fields for client first and last name.
- Add email and phone fields for contact.
- Add a dropdown for filing status: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household.
- Add a number field for tax year (e.g., 2024).
- Add a checkbox group for documents the client will provide: W-2, 1099, 1098 (mortgage interest), Capital Gains/Losses, Business Income/Loss, Charitable Contributions, Medical Expenses, Other.
- Add an optional textarea for "Life changes this year?" (e.g., new job, home purchase, marriage, self-employment start).
Fields in this form
8 fields, using 7 of the 19 field types available.
| Question | Field type | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Client first name | Short text | Yes |
| Client last name | Short text | Yes |
| Email address | Yes | |
| Phone number | Phone | Yes |
| Filing status | Dropdown | Yes |
| Tax year | Number | Yes |
| Which documents will you provide? (select all that apply) | Checkboxes | Optional |
| Any major life changes this year? (optional) | Long text | Optional |
What goes wrong with this form
Specific to a tax preparation intake form, not general advice about forms.
Accepting actual tax documents (W-2 PDFs, SSN) through this form
Files submitted via this form are not encrypted or secure. Never collect sensitive tax data here; handle via secure email or portal.
Requiring a document checklist answer for every possible form
Most individual returns only need W-2 and 1099s. A long list overwhelms and confuses clients; keep it short and optional.
Forgetting to ask about major life changes
A client who switched jobs, got married, or started a side business will miss deductions if you don't ask and they assume you already know.
Questions about this form
Does this form securely accept tax documents like SSNs and W-2 PDFs?
No. This form collects non-sensitive intake info only. For sensitive documents, use a secure document portal or ask clients to email through a certified channel.
What if a client doesn't know which forms they'll have?
Leave the documents field optional and note "unsure" as an option, or add a note that you'll follow up by phone.
Can I ask about estimated tax payments or prior-year adjustments?
Yes. Add optional textareas for prior-year issues, estimated payments, or other notes to surface during intake.