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.
By analyzing the prior-year return, 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 requires the client’s prior-year tax return to be stored and tagged correctly in SmartVault. The system uses this tagged return to generate the questionnaire and document requests.
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 the prior-year return is not stored or tagged correctly, SmartRequestAI cannot generate the questionnaire.
If needed, see:
Send Your First SmartRequest
Once the prior-year return is available and tagged, you can create and send a SmartRequest to your client.
- 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 generated from their prior-year return
- 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
- 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. This helps firms streamline the tax preparation process and ensures clients provide the documents and information needed to complete the return.