> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.filed.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.filed.com/guides/getting-started/adding-your-first-client.md). # Adding your first client ## Before you add a client Three things should be in place: * The workspace is set up ([Set up your workspace](/guides/getting-started/set-up-your-workspace.md)) * The client exists in your tax software with the correct name, SSN, date of birth, and filing status ([Before you start checklist](/guides/getting-started/before-you-start-checklist.md)) * Source documents are gathered and ready to upload ([Best practices for preparing your documents](/guides/getting-started/best-practices-for-preparing-your-documents.md)) ## How to open the add client flow The Add Client flow is a two-step modal opened from the clients list. For your first client, the clients list is the default landing page after workspace setup. {% embed url="" %} **Walkthrough: add your first client** 1. From the clients list, click **New client**. On **Step 1 (Add a Client)**, enter the **Client name**, **Client type**, and **Tax year**, then click **Continue**. ![Step 1: the client details form](https://storage.googleapis.com/filed-prod-public-assets/walkthroughs/adding-first-client/image1.webp) 2. On **Step 2 (Upload their source documents)**, add the client's source documents via the drop zone or **Browse files**, then click **Create client**. ![Step 2: the document upload drop zone](https://storage.googleapis.com/filed-prod-public-assets/walkthroughs/adding-first-client/image2.webp) 3. Filed processes the documents and opens the new client's hub, where the product tiles (Binder, Chat, AI Tax Prep, AI Review, AI Tax Planning) become available as the binder is built. ## Step 1: enter client details The first step is labelled "Add a Client" and is Step 1 of 2. It captures three fields: * **Client name** (required) - use the exact name as it appears in the tax software. Example placeholder: "Johnson & Associates LLC." * **Client type** (required, dropdown) - options are: Personal (1040), Trust & Estate (1041), Partnership (1065), Corporation (1120), S-Corporation (1120S), Nonprofit (990). The client type determines which forms Filed will prepare and which document prompts appear in step 2. * **Tax year** (required, dropdown) - Client type cannot be changed after the client is created. Confirm it before continuing. ## Step 2: upload source documents The second step is labelled "Upload their source documents." It shows a drag-and-drop drop zone that accepts multiple files, and ZIP files are expanded automatically. Filed begins processing when you click "Create client". The upload screen shows context-sensitive guidance based on the client type selected in step 1: * **Personal (1040):** W-2, 1099 forms (INT, DIV, MISC), prior-year 1040, and any organizer or workpapers * **Trust & Estate (1041):** prior-year 1041, beneficiary information, and relevant income and expense documents * **Partnership (1065):** profit and loss statement, partner information, prior-year 1065 * **S-Corporation (1120S):** balance sheet, P\&L, payroll and contractor records, shareholder transactions, prior-year 1120S * **Corporation (1120):** balance sheet, P\&L, payroll records, prior-year 1120 * **Nonprofit (990):** no document prompts are shown for Nonprofit clients; the drop zone appears without a suggested document list. The "Create client" button is disabled until at least one upload has completed. Clicking "Create client" finalizes the record and navigates to the new client's hub page. Additional documents can be uploaded at any time from the client's Binder. ## What happens after you create the client The client hub opens immediately, showing the product tiles: Binder, AI Tax Prep, AI Review, AI Tax Planning, and Chat. Filed automatically classifies the uploaded documents into the Binder. AI Tax Prep becomes available once the Binder finishes processing, which typically takes a few minutes depending on document volume. The client is assigned an auto-generated external ID in the format `CLT-{year}-{XXXXXX}` (for example, `CLT-2025-A3B9FZ`), visible in the client detail panel. The next step is [Your first client, end to end](/guides/getting-started/your-first-client-end-to-end.md). ## Adding clients in bulk The Add Client flow is the manual, one-at-a-time path. Firms with existing client rosters can sync them automatically: CCH Axcess, UltraTax CS, and Lacerte support client-list sync, configured in Plugins > Integrations. Detailed integration setup is covered in the Integrations section. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.filed.com/guides/getting-started/adding-your-first-client.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.