SmartRequestAI helps firms collect client information and documents for tax preparation more efficiently. It automatically generates a questionnaire and document requests based on the client’s prior-year tax return stored in SmartVault or, for firms that use ProConnect Tax Online, on client details pulled directly from ProConnect.
By analyzing the prior-year return or pulling client details from ProConnect, SmartRequestAI identifies the information and documents needed for the current tax year and organizes them into a structured request that you can send directly to your client.
Purchasing SmartRequests
SmartRequestAI requires the SmartRequests add-on to be enabled for your SmartVault account.
If SmartRequests is not yet enabled, Account Administrators can purchase the add-on directly from the Billing page in SmartVault.
Once purchased, the SmartRequests tab becomes available on the Doc Requests page, allowing you to create and send SmartRequests.
Learn how to purchase SmartRequests in SmartVault.
Check SmartRequests Usage
To view the number of SmartRequests your firm has used or has available:
- Click your initials in the upper-right corner and select Settings.
- Go to Account Settings > Manage Account.
- Select Usage Statistics.
From the Usage Statistics page, you can view the number of SmartRequests:
- Used
- Available
- Purchased
Watch a Quick Walkthrough
The following video walks you through getting started with SmartRequestAI.
Before You Send Your First SmartRequest
SmartRequestAI personalizes each questionnaire and document request using one of two sources: a tagged prior-year return stored in SmartVault, or client details pulled from ProConnect Tax Online. Choose the setup that fits your firm.
If a client has both, ProConnect takes priority. SmartRequestAI uses the information from ProConnect rather than the tagged prior-year return.
Option A: Prior-Year Return in SmartVault
Before creating a SmartRequest, confirm the following:
- The client’s prior-year Form 1040 is stored in SmartVault
- The return is tagged "Client Copy of Tax Return"
- The document is associated with the correct engagement year
- The client has been invited to SmartVault
If needed, see:
Option B: ProConnect Tax Online
With this option, you do not need a tagged prior-year return stored in SmartVault. Before creating a SmartRequest, confirm the following:
- Your ProConnect account is connected to your SmartVault account
- The client exists in ProConnect and has been linked using the Client Matching Tool
- The client has been invited to SmartVault
When the SmartRequest is created, SmartRequestAI prefills the questionnaire with static client information from ProConnect, such as demographic and dependent details. It also pre-selects the income and deduction categories that appeared on the client’s prior-year return in ProConnect. Prior-year figures are not included at this time, so clients still enter those themselves.
If needed, see:
If You Have Neither
If a client has no tagged prior-year return and is not linked in ProConnect, SmartRequestAI builds the request from your firm’s questionnaire template. The request is based on your firm’s standard questions rather than the client’s prior-year information, so the client answers from scratch.
Send Your First SmartRequest
Once your client’s information source is set up (a tagged prior-year return or a ProConnect link), you can create and send a SmartRequest to your client. The steps are the same either way.
- Sign in to SmartVault.
- Click Doc Requests in the navigation bar.
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Select the SmartRequests tab. This opens your SmartRequest dashboard, where you can create, send, and track SmartRequests for your clients.
Tip
If this is your first time using Doc Requests and no requests have been created yet, an onboarding message sequence guides you through the main steps.
- Click SmartRequest +.
- Select the client and click Create SmartRequest.
SmartVault sends the client an email with a secure link to access and complete the SmartRequest.
For detailed steps, see Creating a SmartRequest.
What Happens After You Send a SmartRequest
After sending the request, your client receives an email notification with a secure link to their SmartRequest.
The client can:
- Complete the questionnaire, which is prefilled from their prior-year return or from ProConnect, and confirm or update the information already filled in
- Upload the requested tax documents
- Provide additional information required for tax preparation
As the client progresses, you can monitor the request from the SmartRequests dashboard.
Common request statuses include:
- Sent – The request has been delivered to the client.
- Active – The client has started completing the request.
- Submitted – The client has finished and submitted their responses.
- Completed – The SmartRequest workflow has been finalized.
To learn how to monitor and manage requests, see: Managing SmartRequests
Review Client Submissions
When the client submits their SmartRequest, you can review their responses and uploaded documents directly in SmartVault.
This allows you to:
- Verify questionnaire responses
- Access uploaded tax documents
- Confirm that all required information has been provided
See: Reviewing Client SmartRequest Submissions
If Information Needs to Be Updated
If a client submits incomplete or incorrect information, you can send the SmartRequest back to them to update specific responses.
See: Sending a SmartRequest Back to the Taxpayer
Explore Additional SmartRequest Workflows
After sending your first SmartRequest, you may want to explore additional SmartRequestAI workflows.
- Managing SmartRequests – Track request progress and status
- Reviewing Client SmartRequest Submissions – Access responses and uploaded documents
- Acting as the Taxpayer in SmartRequests – Review and update a client's questionnaire on their behalf
- Sending a SmartRequest Back to the Taxpayer – Request updates and corrections from the client
Additional Setup and Configuration
Depending on your firm’s workflow, you may also need to configure integrations or ensure documents are tagged correctly.
- Tagging the Client Copy of the 1040 for SmartRequestAI
- Configuring UltraTax to Use SmartRequestAI
- The Client Matching Tool: Linking Intuit ProConnect Tax to SmartVault
- Manually Tagging Documents in SmartVault
Why Firms Use SmartRequestAI
SmartRequestAI reduces the time spent gathering client information by automatically generating a structured request from the client’s prior-year tax return stored in SmartVault or from client details pulled directly from ProConnect. This helps firms streamline the tax preparation process and ensures clients provide the documents and information needed to complete the return.