A tax folder sorted before the meeting with the preparer
JJ Englert pointed Claude Cowork at a folder of W-2s, 1099s and bank statements. Cowork sorted, made a spreadsheet and a one-page note for the preparer. He writes that it probably saved 6-8 hours. Cowork did not submit the return in the post.
Done with Claude CoworkModerate
This is a public report, not advice from Skatteetaten, NAV, Altinn or an accountant. Check figures, deadlines and decisions against the original.
What was done
On 8 April 2026 JJ Englert writes that he used Claude Cowork for bookkeeping and tax preparation. He made a folder called Taxes and put in the source documents. Those were W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, mortgage documents and the business profit and loss. Cowork sorted the documents into subfolders by year and category. He asked it to make a Context.md with status, income sources, entities, the preparer, key figures and open questions. He also added last year's finished return, so it could compare year to year. Cowork read the bank CSVs and made a spreadsheet with income, expenses, write-offs and the home office. It wrote a tax summary with an estimated refund. It wrote a review of deductions he was missing. It made a one-page note for the preparer. He writes that it probably saved 6-8 hours. The profile says Rochester, NY.
How it went
He went to the meeting with a one-page note. The post does not say Cowork submitted the tax return.
Worth knowing
The estimate is his, probably 6-8 hours. The post does not show the spreadsheet. Check the original.
How to do it
- Put the records in one folder, and ask Cowork to sort them by year and category.
- Ask for a spreadsheet, a short context file and a one-page note for the preparer.
- Do not submit a tax return, and do not delete a document, until you say yes.
Try it with Claude Cowork
Sort the documents in [folder] by year and category. Make a short context file and a spreadsheet of income and expenses. Write a one-page note for [preparer]. Do not submit a tax return. Do not delete a document. Do not file anything until I say yes.
Replace text in brackets with your own.
Done when. The note has been read, and no tax return has been submitted.
Safety rule. No submission and no deletion until you have said yes.
Read the original
Read the original · @JJEnglert on X ·