01
Build the expected-document baseline
You turn the filing profile, prior-year return, and current-year changes into a list of documents and facts that should be present. This keeps the review from relying only on what was uploaded.
Made for CPAs
Check an Individual Tax File Before Preparation Starts
Also useful for: Tax Advisors, people in Finance
30 min
Intermediate
Financial Organization
Get Organized
Review an individual tax file against the filing profile, prior-year return, current uploads, and payment history. Finish with a clear start, limited-start, or hold decision.
We'll use them to write your prompt.
Completed ✓
Make Your Play
Give us the situation. We’ll build the prompt.
You catch missing forms and open questions before preparation starts, when they are easier to resolve.
Your answers save as you type.
What you'll do
This is the plan inside your prompt. Add your details first. Then follow these steps with ChatGPT or Claude.
02
Reconcile the upload inventory
You match each expected item to the current file and check whether the upload is usable, final, and assigned to the correct taxpayer and year.
03
Check payments, carryovers, and state items
You run a focused check on details that are often absent from a basic document list but can stop or materially change preparation.
04
Separate blockers from later follow-up
You apply your firm's start rules so missing items don't all receive the same priority.
05
Set the readiness decision
You make a documented decision that another team member can understand without reopening every source document.
06
Verify and save the checklist
You confirm the AI-assisted findings against the source file and preserve the review trail.
Make Your Play
Check an Individual Tax File Before Preparation Starts
Tell us what the prompt needs to know
Start with the questions below. Each answer personalizes the playbook and builds the prompt you’ll use at the end.
Your situation
Describe the expected filing status, dependents, federal return type, states, local filings, and identity-verification status. Mask sensitive identifiers.
0/10000
List prior-year income sources, carryovers, elections, state filings, notices, and recurring documents that may matter this year.
0/10000
List each current-year upload with its document type, issuer, recipient, tax year, condition, and any visible gaps or duplicate versions.
0/10000
List claimed federal and state estimated or extension payments with dates, amounts, sources, and verification status.
0/10000
Describe moves, job changes, property transactions, new accounts, business activity, family changes, notices, and work performed across state lines.
0/10000
State which missing items require a hold and which items may remain open after preparation begins.
0/10000
This playbook was updated. Review your inputs before copying.
What you'll do
Check a step when you finish it.
01
Build the expected-document baseline
You turn the filing profile, prior-year return, and current-year changes into a list of documents and facts that should be present. This keeps the review from relying only on what was uploaded.
02
Reconcile the upload inventory
You match each expected item to the current file and check whether the upload is usable, final, and assigned to the correct taxpayer and year.
03
Check payments, carryovers, and state items
You run a focused check on details that are often absent from a basic document list but can stop or materially change preparation.
04
Separate blockers from later follow-up
You apply your firm's start rules so missing items don't all receive the same priority.
05
Set the readiness decision
You make a documented decision that another team member can understand without reopening every source document.
06
Verify and save the checklist
You confirm the AI-assisted findings against the source file and preserve the review trail.
Fill in the fields above to generate your prompt preview.
Assembled prompt
Beginner instructions
Start with a masked filing profile, the prior-year return, and a simple list of current uploads. If you aren’t sure whether an item blocks preparation, mark it “CPA review needed” instead of guessing. Confirm every AI finding against the source file before changing the return status.
Advanced instructions
Add your firm’s start rules so the result separates hard blockers from items that can stay open during preparation. Compare the inventory with organizer answers, source-document import logs, payment transcripts, and state questionnaires when available. Use your document management system as the final record, not the AI output.
Use this when
Use this after the main document deadline or intake upload, but before assigning or starting an individual return. It also works when a file looks complete but hasn't had a formal readiness check.
You'll need
- Filing profile
- Prior-year signals and carryovers
- Current-year document inventory
- Payment records
- Current-year changes and state details
- Firm start rules
You'll get
- One readiness checklist covering every relevant category
- A status and evidence note for each category, a separated list of blocking and nonblocking items, an owner for every next action, and a documented Start, Limited start, or Hold decision
- The result against the source documents confirmed
By the end of this playbook
You will have:
- One readiness checklist covering every relevant category
- A status and evidence note for each category, a separated list of blocking and nonblocking items, an owner for every next action, and a documented Start, Limited start, or Hold decision
- The result against the source documents confirmed
Examples
Progress 1 of 6