Dodging Client Calls? AI Handles Tax Season Questions for You

Tax season is hectic for even the most organized firms. Between juggling client deadlines, managing paperwork, and ensuring compliance, finding time to answer client questions can feel impossible. Yet those questions still need answers — and often, they’re urgent.

That’s where AI-powered tax prep tools like TruePrep can help. By automating responses, organizing client information, and providing fast, personalized answers, TruePrep makes it easier to manage client inquiries without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency. Whether clients need clarification on a deduction, want to know why their refund changed, or need to confirm a payment amount, TruePrep can provide quick and accurate responses — even when your bandwidth is stretched thin.

Why Client Questions Are Harder to Manage During Busy Season

When workloads are already stretched thin, client questions can feel like an interruption — but ignoring them isn’t an option. Inquiries about missing documents, estimated payments, or tax-saving strategies are often time-sensitive.

Common busy season challenges include:

• Limited Bandwidth: Teams are focused on filing deadlines, leaving little time to address routine questions.

• Information Overload: With multiple clients submitting documents at once, locating the right details quickly can be challenging.

• Repetitive Questions: Clients often ask similar questions — like "What’s my refund status?" — requiring frequent, repetitive responses.

Without an efficient system for handling inquiries, these questions can consume valuable time and delay progress.

How TruePrep Helps Tax Professionals Manage Client Questions

TruePrep streamlines client communication, providing quick, accurate, and personalized responses — even during peak season.

1. Automated Responses to Routine Questions
TruePrep automatically generates responses to common client questions, saving you from drafting the same explanations multiple times.

Example: A client emails asking, "Did you get my 1099?" TruePrep checks the system, verifies the 1099 was received, and generates a confirmation response — reducing back-and-forth communication.

2. Personalized Recommendations in Real Time
TruePrep analyzes client data and tax law to provide tailored responses based on each client’s financial situation.

Example: A client asks, "How much more can I contribute to my IRA this year?" TruePrep reviews the client’s income, age, and filing status, then recommends the exact contribution limit.

3. Fast, Accurate Answers to Complex Questions
TruePrep compares current and prior-year returns to explain changes and address discrepancies.

Example: A client asks, "Why is my refund lower than last year?" TruePrep identifies changes (e.g., reduced deductions or lower withholding) and summarizes the findings into a client-friendly explanation.

4. Streamlining Manual Tasks
TruePrep eliminates manual workflows by organizing and extracting client data from tax returns, W-2s, and 1099s.

Example: A client asks about their self-employment income. TruePrep searches the client’s profile, locates their Schedule C, and generates a response detailing reported income and applicable deductions.

5. Easy Access to Tax Law and Guidelines
TruePrep’s Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system retrieves the latest IRS regulations, ensuring accurate responses to legal questions.

Example: A client asks, "Do I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit this year?" TruePrep reviews the client’s data and references current IRS guidelines to provide a clear answer.

6. Handling High Client Volumes Without Compromising Quality
TruePrep allows tax professionals to handle multiple client inquiries simultaneously, improving responsiveness and reducing bottlenecks.

Example: AI auto-responds to common client concerns (e.g., filing status or refund estimates), freeing up time for high-value cases.

7. Advanced Tax Modeling and Strategy
TruePrep can calculate real-time tax impacts and recommend the best filing strategy.

Example: A client asks about the impact of a large charitable donation. TruePrep calculates the effect on their adjusted gross income and suggests the most tax-efficient strategy.

8. Proactive Client Engagement
TruePrep flags opportunities for tax savings and recommends outreach to keep clients informed and aligned.

Example: A client’s income increases, making them eligible for new deductions. TruePrep alerts the CPA to notify the client and adjust their return.

Example Email Using TruePrep

Subject: Missing Documents for Your 2024 Tax Return

Hi [Client Name],

We’ve received most of your documents, but we’re still missing a few key items:

• Form 1099-INT (Interest Income)

• Form 8283 (Charitable Contributions over $500)

Once you provide these documents, we can finalize your return. Let me know if you need help retrieving them.

Thanks for your help in keeping things on track!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Firm Name]

The Bottom Line

During busy season, client questions are inevitable — but they don’t have to slow you down. By using TruePrep’s AI-powered tools, you can provide fast, accurate, and personalized answers while still focusing on your most important work.

With automated responses, data-driven insights, and proactive alerts, TruePrep helps you manage client communication efficiently — improving both your workflow and your clients’ experience.

For more insights on enhancing your tax preparation process, read more here: How To Avoid In-Person Meetings This Tax Season

You can also start your free trial today and see how automation can transform your firm’s workflows.