# Tell tax clients their return is going on extension

A clear, reassuring client email explaining an extension, what it does and does not cover, and what the client must do now.

- Topic: Email & Workplace Communication
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Finance, Email, Write, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/tell-tax-clients-their-return-is-going-on-extension

## Prompt

```text
Write an email telling a tax client that we are filing an extension for their return.

**Client type:** [individual / business - entity type]
**Why we're extending:** [e.g. "waiting on K-1s", "documents arrived after our cut-off", "complex transaction needs more time"]
**What's still missing from them:** [LIST]
**Estimated balance due, if known:** [AMOUNT or "we will estimate by DATE"]
**How payment works:** [e.g. "we'll send a payment voucher", "pay through the tax authority's online system"]
**New target completion date:** [DATE]
**Extended filing deadline:** [DATE - confirm for the current year and jurisdiction]
**Tone:** [warm / matter-of-fact]

The email must:
- Say in the first two sentences that an extension is being filed and that it is common and not a red flag.
- Make clear that an extension extends the time to file, not the time to pay, and that interest and penalties can apply to unpaid tax after the original due date.
- State what we need from them, by when, in a short bulleted list.
- Explain the payment step in plain words.
- Mention state returns if they are affected.
- Avoid blaming the client even if late documents caused the delay.

Return:
1. Three subject line options.
2. The email (under 220 words).
3. A shorter version for clients who owe nothing or expect a refund.

Do not invent amounts or dates; leave [PLACEHOLDERS]. Confirm deadlines and penalty rules for the current year before sending.
```

## What to fill in

- individual / business - entity type
- LIST
- AMOUNT or "we will estimate by DATE"
- DATE
- DATE - confirm for the current year and jurisdiction
- warm / matter-of-fact
- PLACEHOLDERS

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.