Collect tax documents from Gmail and build deduction spreadsheets
A consultant built two Claude Code skills: one finds tax documents in Gmail and tracks what's missing, the other compiles deductions into spreadsheets ready for tax software.
Explain it simply
An AI coding tool searches your email for tax forms, saves them in one place and keeps a list of the ones still missing. A second helper gathers deductions into spreadsheets your tax software can use. You still check everything, and many people are better off with a tax professional.
What was done
The author of claudeblattman.com, who calls himself 'not quite a CPA,' used Claude Code for as much of his own tax preparation as he could. His guide is aimed at complicated returns: consulting income, multiple 1099s, itemized deductions.
One skill searches Gmail for tax documents, downloads the attachments, pulls out the key figures and keeps a list of what's still missing.
A second skill compiles deductions from several sources into spreadsheets ready for data entry. He published the workflow and a /tax-guide command so others can run it.
How it went
He found Claude Code surprisingly good at the grunt work: sorting transactions, filtering by category, parsing CSV exports and assembling spreadsheets.
- His guide says many people shouldn't do their own taxes this way, and explains when to get help.
- Never paste Social Security or bank account numbers into a session.
- No time-saved figure is given.
Prompt
Search my Gmail for [tax year] tax documents: 1099s, 1098s, W-2s, K-1s and receipts from [vendors].
Save attachments to ./tax/[year]/inbox and list each one in ./tax/[year]/documents.csv with payer, form type and amounts.
Compare against last year's list in ./tax/[last year]/documents.csv and tell me which forms are still missing.
Redact Social Security and full account numbers, and never store them.Setup notes
- Point Claude Code at the published workflow page and let it adapt the steps to your situation.
- Install the /tax-guide command, or write your own two skills.
- Keep identity and account numbers out of the session.
- Have your CPA or tax software do the final review.
Business fit
Who this helps, and how:
- Solo foundersSelf-employed founders can get Schedule C prep organized in an afternoon.
- AgenciesFreelancers and consultants with many 1099s get an automatic missing-forms checklist.
- Local & serviceService businesses can use the same pattern for monthly receipt and invoice collection.
Related
Similar tools
Other tools for this job, and how they differ. Chosen by our editors, never paid for.
- Grok Bot
Can run a similar inbox sweep for tax forms as a routine on its own cloud computer; QuickBooks Online can connect.
Prompt: Collect every tax form from your inbox and list what's missing
- Meta Muse
Connects to QuickBooks and Stripe for back-office checks and asks before it sends or spends; US and Canada only.
Evidence grade B means: The person who did the work describes the setup and results in detail. How we grade. Spotted a mistake? Suggest a correction.