07/24/2026
DUE DILIGENCE TIP
Tax pros, asking the same generic questions for every client is not enough.
Yes, you should have standard questions that you ask every client to help determine whether they qualify for credits like EITC, CTC, AOTC, and Head of Household.
But here is the part many tax professionals miss:
Your additional inquiries should not look the same in every client file.
Every client has a different tax situation. Your follow-up questions should be based on:
The answers they gave to your general qualifying questions
The documents they provided
Any inconsistencies or information that does not make sense
And the documents you marked on Form 8867 as the records you relied on
You cannot just copy and paste the same questions and notes from one client file to the next and expect that to prove due diligence.
The IRS wants to see that you reviewed that specific client’s situation, asked the questions necessary to resolve their facts, and documented how you reached your conclusion.
Your notes should tell the story of that return.
Tailor your inquiries.
Ask the additional questions.
Document the client’s answers.
Because when it comes to due diligence, if it is not written, it did not happen.
Save this post and share it with a tax professional who needs to strengthen their audit-ready files.