Tax Preparation Engagement Letter
Every tax season starts with the same job: get a signed engagement letter back from every client before you prepare a return. This template starts from your client list. Each client gets a personal link with their name, tax year, the returns you'll prepare and your fee already filled in and locked. They confirm their details, and FormSign turns the answers into your own engagement letter for them to sign electronically. Try it with a sample client before you send anything.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026 by FormSign team.
Edit it, try it, then create an account to save and share.
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Questions in this template
Engagement
- Client legal name (required)As it appears on your tax return.
- Spouse name (if filing jointly)
- Filing statusSingle · Married filing jointly · Married filing separately · Head of household · Qualifying surviving spouse · Not sure
- Tax year (required)
- Returns in scope (required)The federal and state returns this letter covers. Anything not listed is outside this engagement.
- Fee (required)The fee or fee basis agreed for this engagement.
Your contact details
- Email (required)
- Phone
- Mailing address (required)
Your firm
- Firm name (required)
- Firm contact email (required)
- Preparer
Before you sign
- Anything new since last year? (required)No changes · Yes (tell us below)
- If yes, what changed?For example a move, a new job, a new dependent, a business or a property sale.
- Are the engagement details above correct? (required)Yes, everything is correct · Something needs to change
- If something needs to change, tell us what
- Send me the engagement letter to review and sign electronically. (required)
What is a tax preparation engagement letter?
A tax preparation engagement letter is the agreement between a tax firm and a client for preparing specific returns for a specific year. It usually names the client, lists the returns in scope, sets out what the client must provide and by when, states the fee, and explains what's outside the engagement. Most firms send one to every client every season.
When to use it
- At the start of every tax season, for every returning client.
- When a new tax client signs on, after your intake.
- When the scope changes, such as adding a state return or an amended return.
- When you want every signed letter stored next to the client's details.
What to include
Who the engagement is with
Your firm and the client's legal name (and spouse, for joint returns).
The tax year
One letter per year keeps scope clear.
Returns in scope
List each federal and state return plainly.
The fee
Lock it so it can't be edited on the form.
Changes since last year
One question catches moves, new dependents and new income early.
A way to flag changes
A "something needs to change" question saves a round of emails.
What to leave out
Don't collect Social Security numbers or bank details on this form; keep those in your tax software or client portal. This template is not for IRS e-file authorizations such as Form 8879.
Why FormSign
Import your client list once and FormSign creates a personal link for each client with the tax year, returns and fee filled in. You decide which details are locked. Every confirmation lands as a row on your board, so you can see who has confirmed, who asked for a change and who hasn't opened it. Add your own letter as a document and FormSign fills it from each client's answers and sends it for e-signature.
This template is a starting point, not legal or tax advice. FormSign doesn't supply engagement letter wording. Have your own attorney or professional advisor review your letter before you use it.
What gets filled in from your client list
| Part | Filled by | Client can change |
|---|---|---|
| Client legal name, tax year, returns in scope, fee | You, from your client list | No (locked) |
| Filing status | You, from your client list | Yes |
| Email, phone, address, spouse name | Pre-filled where you have it | Yes |
| Firm name, contact email, preparer | You, from your client list | No (locked) |
| Changes since last year, confirmation | The client | Yes |
| The engagement letter | Your firm's own letter, filled from the answers | Signed electronically by the client |
Spreadsheet header
Client legal name,Client email,Spouse name,Filing status,Tax year,Returns in scope,Fee,Client phone,Client address,Firm name,Firm contact email,Preparer
Questions
Does FormSign provide the engagement letter wording?
No. You use your firm's own letter; FormSign fills in each client's details and sends it for e-signature.
Can I send letters to all my tax clients at once?
Yes. Import your client list as a spreadsheet and FormSign creates one personal link per client.
Can clients change the fee or the returns in scope?
Not if you lock those fields. They can flag a problem in the "something needs to change" question.
What about joint returns?
Include the spouse's name in your client list. Whether both spouses sign is set in your own letter and process; check with your advisor.
Can I use this for Form 8879?
No. IRS e-file authorizations have their own signature requirements.
Do I need an account to try it?
No. Open the template, edit it and try it with a sample client. You'll create an account when you want to import your client list and send it.
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