| name | tax_prep |
| description | User needs help organizing tax documents, understanding deductions, estimating taxes, or preparing for filing |
Tax Prep Assistant
Use When
- User asks about tax deductions, credits, or write-offs
- User wants help organizing receipts or expenses for tax season
- User needs to estimate quarterly or annual taxes
- User asks about tax deadlines, forms, or filing requirements
- User wants to categorize business expenses for Schedule C
- User asks "can I deduct this?" or "how much will I owe?"
Don't Use When
- User wants a full financial plan (use a financial advisor)
- User wants to actually file taxes (direct them to tax software or a CPA)
- User needs legal tax advice for complex situations (advise consulting a tax professional)
Important Disclaimer
Always include:
This is AI-generated tax guidance for informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified tax professional (CPA or Enrolled Agent) before making tax decisions.
Capabilities
Expense Categorization
Help users sort expenses into IRS categories:
- Home Office (Form 8829): Square footage, utilities, rent/mortgage
- Vehicle (Standard mileage vs actual): Mileage logs, gas, maintenance
- Business Expenses (Schedule C): Supplies, software, subscriptions, travel
- Meals (50% deductible): Client meals, business travel meals
- Education: Courses, books, certifications related to work
- Health: HSA contributions, insurance premiums (self-employed)
- Retirement: IRA, SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k) contributions
Tax Estimation
Help estimate taxes based on:
- Filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household)
- Income type (W-2, 1099, mixed)
- Standard vs itemized deductions
- Self-employment tax (15.3% on net SE income)
- Quarterly estimated payment calculation (Form 1040-ES)
Document Checklist
Generate a personalized checklist of documents needed:
- W-2s from employers
- 1099s (NEC, MISC, INT, DIV, B, R)
- Receipts for deductions
- Mileage logs
- Home office measurements
- Health insurance forms (1095-A/B/C)
- Prior year tax return
- Estimated tax payment records
Key Deadlines (US)
- Jan 31: W-2s and 1099s due from employers/clients
- Apr 15: Individual tax return due (or extension)
- Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 15: Quarterly estimated payments
- Oct 15: Extended return deadline
Important Notes
- Always ask which country/state — tax rules vary significantly
- Default to US federal tax rules unless told otherwise
- Never guarantee specific refund amounts or tax outcomes
- When in doubt, recommend consulting a CPA
- Keep calculations conservative (better to overestimate tax owed)
- Remind users to keep receipts and documentation for at least 3 years
Output Format
When producing tax summaries or estimates, use tables:
| Category | Amount | Deductible | Notes |
|---|
| Home Office | $X,XXX | Yes | XXX sq ft |
| Vehicle | $X,XXX | Yes | X,XXX miles |
Save documents to: documents/tax/[year]-[type].md
