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11 steps to better client tax instructions

help them help you.

by ed mendlowitz
tax season opportunity guide

providing instructions of what a client needs to do must be clear enough so that the client doesn’t call you to find out what to do.

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sometimes taking an extra minute to lay out what the client should do can eliminate that call or indecisive moment a client might feel.

  1. the object of the instructions is to have the client do what you want them to do.
  2. make the instructions clear and brief.
  3. many times the instructions from our tax software isn’t clear, or is too long, or covers multiple things that need to be done, which will confuse some clients. the object is to make it as easy as possible for the client. if necessary, do not use those instructions and make up your own.
  4. user-friendly should be the guidepost.
  5. one way is to make up a single instruction sheet for each form the client needs to file.
  6. another way is to send separate emails (make sure the email is secure and meets firm client confidentiality policies) for each form being provided to the client.
  7. if returns or forms are sent to client with short deadlines, or if the client is not the type of person who will go to the post office to have it weighed and posted, then place stamps with the correct postage on the envelope.
  8. to perform a really high-class service for clients out of the country or who cannot easily do things for themselves, ask them to provide you with the signature pages of whatever authorization you need and actually mail the forms for them. this includes you putting it in the envelope.
  9. the point is do whatever you can to make it easy for the client to do business with you.
  10. the fees should be commensurate with the services you deliver to the client. if the fees aren’t, and you feel it is necessary to do the extra work to properly service the client, then consider telling the client that they should consider going elsewhere.
  11. make your deliverables user-friendly.

one response to “11 steps to better client tax instructions”

  1. frank stitely

    i think this wins for most useful advice for the day. instructions really need to be viewed from the clients’ eyes. otherwise, you can waste hundreds of hours in phone calls and e-mails.