How to Make Your Tax Return Better... by Making Your Accountant’s Life Easier
Tax season has a way of sneaking up, even on people who are otherwise organized, successful, and on top of things. And if you’re a high earner with multiple income streams, a bonus, partnership distributions, or self-employed income, taxes are... a project. And a project that involves multiple people, multiple deadlines, and at least one document hunting mission you’d rather not participate in.
But the good news is that you don’t need to become a tax expert to have a smoother experience. You just need to be the kind of client your accountant can actually work with.
Because the easier you make your accountant’s job, the better your tax return tends to be.
1. Respond Quickly (Even If You Don’t Have the Answer Yet)
This is the number one rule. If your accountant emails you a question, respond. Even if your response is, “Got it. I’m tracking this down and will send it by Friday.”
Tax professionals are juggling dozens (sometimes hundreds) of returns. The clients who get the best experience aren’t always the most financially sophisticated, they’re just the most responsive.
And when you disappear for two weeks in March, your return gets delayed and squeezed into the most chaotic part of the season.
2. Send Clean, Complete Documents (Not a Screenshot Dump)
Yes, gathering documents is a task in itself. But the format in which you send the document also matters in making your accountant's life easier (aka your return better).
A few best practices include:
Send PDFs whenever possible
Label files clearly (e.g., “2024 W-2 – Employer Name”)
Avoid sending 19 screenshots with no explanation (if you are sending pictures, please make sure you can read the words on the documents)
If you have multiple accounts, consolidate statements into one folder
Your accountant isn’t judging you, but they are trying to avoid mistakes. Unfortunately, messy documentation increases the risk of missed forms, duplicated numbers, or overlooked deductions. Just a little pre-organization goes a long way.
3. Don’t Make Them Chase Your Life Updates
Although your accountant is keeping track of a lot of things, they can't read your mind won’t know if you had a major life change unless you tell them. So be sure to tell them about important changes such as:
Marriage or divorce
A new baby
A home purchase or sale
A move to another state
Starting a side business
Major charitable gifts
Stock compensation changes
These events can affect your tax situation in ways that aren’t obvious from a W-2 alone. A short, proactive note saves time and keeps things accurate.
4. Ask Questions in One Message (Not Five)
This one sounds small, but it’s a big deal during tax season. Instead of sending multiple one-off emails like:
“Do you need my W-2?”
“Also I donated to charity.”
“FYI I moved.”
“Here’s an extra 1099.”
Try sending one consolidated message, such as, “Here are the key updates from last year. Let me know what else you need.”
It keeps communication clear, reduces back-and-forth, and helps your accountant see the full picture.
5. Plan Earlier Next Year (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
If this tax season feels stressful, the solution usually isn’t working harder in March and April. Instead, it’s about making a few small adjustments earlier in the year, which might look like:
Automating quarterly estimated payments
Tracking business expenses monthly
Running a mid-year tax projection
Setting up a dedicated tax savings account
The goal is a smoother process accompanied by more confidence, not perfection.
A Little Team Work Goes a Long Way
Tax season doesn’t have to be miserable and you don’t need to become the world’s most organized person to make it easier. But if you want a faster, cleaner, less stressful experience, the best thing you can do is show up as a responsive, prepared partner to your accountant.
At Hark, we help clients build financial systems that make tax season easier (and returns better) because good planning is a year-round project that’s aligned with your goals. If you want help getting organized, staying ahead of estimated payments, or coordinating your financial plan with your tax strategy, we’re here to help.
