Page 3: Client Information
Welcome! Page 3 collects the basic information we need to prepare your tax return accurately and efficiently. Taking a few extra minutes to complete this page carefully can help prevent delays, IRS rejections, and follow-up questions later in the tax preparation process.
Before You Begin
Please gather the following information before starting. Most errors on this page occur when information is entered from memory rather than from official documents.
- Social Security cards for yourself, your spouse, and all dependents
- Dates of birth for everyone listed on the return
- Any IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) letters received this year
- Your current mailing address
- The date you moved, if your address changed during the year
- Your county and school district, if applicable
Important: Save the organizer to your computer before you begin entering information. Be sure to save your work periodically as you go. Information is not transmitted to our office until you return the completed organizer to us.
Completing the Page
Work through the page from top to bottom. The sections include:
- Referral Information
- Filing Status
- Taxpayer Information
- Spouse Information
- Current Address
- Dependents
Referral Information
New Client
Select “I am a new client” only if this is your first year working with us.If you are new, please tell us how you heard about Clergy Financial Resources. Your feedback helps us continue serving clergy families effectively.
Tax Review Appointment Contact
Under “Who should we contact for your tax review appointment?”, choose:
- Taxpayer
- Spouse
- Joint
Please select the individual who is most available and easiest to reach during the day. This will be our primary contact when scheduling your review appointment.
Filing Status
Choose the filing status that applies to your situation.Common filing statuses include:
- Single
- Married Filing Jointly
- Married Filing Separately
- Head of Household
- Qualifying Surviving Spouse
For Married Taxpayers
If you were legally married on December 31, you are generally considered married for the entire tax year.For most clergy households, Married Filing Jointly often provides the most favorable tax outcome. If you are considering Married Filing Separately, we encourage you to contact us before making your selection.
Head of Household
You may qualify if:
- You were unmarried at year-end, and
- You paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for a qualifying individual.
Qualifying Surviving Spouse
This status may apply during the two years following the death of a spouse if you have a qualifying dependent child.
Marital Status Changes
If you experienced a marriage, divorce, legal separation, or the death of a spouse during the year:
- Mark “Yes”
- Enter the applicable date
This information is essential in determining your correct filing status.
Taxpayer Information
Please complete all applicable fields using official documents whenever possible.
Full Name
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, including your middle initial when applicable.If your name has changed but the Social Security Administration has not updated its records, enter your name exactly as it appears on your card.
Social Security Number
Carefully enter all digits of your Social Security Number.
Date of Birth
Please verify this date carefully. Your date of birth affects eligibility for several tax benefits and deductions.
Date of Death
Complete this field only if the taxpayer passed away during the tax year.
Occupation
For clergy, examples include:
- Pastor
- Senior Pastor
- Associate Pastor
- Chaplain
- Worship Pastor
- Executive Pastor
Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
Select “Yes” only if the IRS issued you a current-year IP PIN.If applicable:
- Enter the six-digit PIN exactly as shown on this year’s IRS notice.
- Do not use a PIN from a prior year.
Contact Information
Provide:
- Telephone number
- Email address
Please use the contact information you want us to use regarding your tax return.
Mobile Text Messaging
Select “Yes” if you authorize us to contact you by text message regarding your return.
Legally Blind
If you are legally blind, please indicate this by selecting “Yes.”This may increase your standard deduction.
Presidential Election Campaign Fund
This checkbox does not affect your refund or increase the tax you owe. It simply designates a small amount of federal funds for the presidential election campaign program.
Spouse Information
If you are filing as a married taxpayer, complete the Spouse section using the same guidelines listed above.Please verify all information carefully, especially:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- IP PIN
- Contact Information
Current Address
Enter the address where you want all correspondence regarding your tax return to be sent.In most cases, this should be your home address rather than your church or employer’s address.
County and School District
Please complete these fields when requested. They may affect state and local tax filings.
If You Moved During the Year
- Check “This is a new address”
- Enter the date you moved
This helps ensure your tax records remain accurate.
Dependents
List each dependent you plan to claim on your tax return, one person per row.Please include:
- Children born during the year
- Dependents who passed away during the year
Do not include individuals you are not claiming as dependents for the current tax year.
Information Needed for Each Dependent
Full Name
- Enter exactly as shown on the Social Security card.
Date of Birth
- Enter the dependent’s birth date.
Grade in School
- Complete if currently in school.
Social Security Number
- Required to claim the dependent.
Relationship
- Examples: Son, Daughter, Mother, Father, Grandchild, Niece, Nephew, etc.
Months Lived at Home During the Year
- Enter the number of months the dependent lived in your home.
- For a child born or deceased during the year, enter 12 months.
College Student
- Check if the dependent was a full-time student.
Disabled
- Check if the dependent is permanently and totally disabled.
Dependent Identity Protection PIN
If the IRS issued an IP PIN for a dependent, enter:
- The dependent’s name
- The six-digit IP PIN
in the area provided below the dependent table.
Questions Below the Dependent Section
Did any dependent provide more than half of their own support?
Answer Yes if a dependent paid more than half of their own living expenses.If you are unsure whether they still qualify as a dependent, answer Yes and we will review the situation with you.
Did any child under age 19, or a full-time student under age 24, have investment income exceeding $2,700?
Investment income may include:
- Interest
- Dividends
- Capital gains
If the answer is Yes, additional tax calculations may be required.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
The following issues are among the most common reasons returns are delayed or rejected:
- Name Does Not Match the Social Security Card
Always use the name currently on file with the Social Security Administration.
- Incorrect or Missing Social Security Number
A missing or incorrect number, especially for a dependent, may result in an IRS rejection.
- Using Last Year’s IP PIN
The IRS issues a new IP PIN each year. Prior-year IP PINs will not work.
- Incorrect Date of Birth
An incorrect birth date can affect deductions, credits, and eligibility requirements.
- Using a Church Address Instead of Your Mailing Address
Important IRS and state correspondence should be sent to an address where you can promptly receive and review it.
- Missing Marital Status Change Date
If you indicate that your marital status changed during the year, please include the applicable date.
When You Have Finished
- Save your completed organizer to your computer.
- Continue to Page 4.
- Complete the remaining organizer pages and state worksheet(s), if applicable.
- Return all completed documents together.
For your protection, please do not send tax documents through standard email, as email is generally not encrypted.If additional information will not fit in the space provided, simply include it in the comments section of the applicable page.
Need Help?
If you are unsure about:
- Filing status
- Dependents
- Identity Protection PINs
- Any other question in the organizer
We are happy to help.1-888-421-0101
clientservices@clergyfinancial.comThank you for allowing Clergy Financial Resources to serve you. We look forward to assisting you with another successful tax season!