Tax time is near. Include this important topic in your client conversations by utilizing the powerful Common Tax Form stencil. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly use the Common Tax Torm stencil.
🎯 Purpose of the Common Tax Form Stencil
The common tax form stencil is a specialized tool designed for a specific purpose. It is not intended for building a new household profile or for in-depth financial data entry.
Instead, the stencil is meant to be used as a visual reminder. Its primary function is to facilitate conversations with clients about important tax-related talking points, especially as tax time approaches.
It is most effective when used with existing clients, as it is less beneficial for new clients where the focus is different.
📋 How to Use the Stencil: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to apply and utilize the stencil effectively:
Step 1: Apply the Stencil
Navigate to the public library.
Search for and select the "U.S. Common Tax Form" stencil.
Apply the stencil. Note that this is an individual stencil, meaning it will only apply to one person.
Step 2: Customize and Prune the Stencil
This is a critical step, as the stencil is highly comprehensive and applying it incorrectly can cause confusion.
Once applied, the stencil will add a large number of placeholders. It is unlikely a single client will need all of them, as the stencil covers a wide variety of situations (e.g., Form 8949 for crypto).
Use the "search and select tool," located in the upper right-hand corner, to manage the placeholders.
Go through the map and identify only the forms and placeholders that are pertinent to the specific client.
Select all the placeholders that are not needed or are redundant (e.g., if the residence is already accounted for).
Delete the selected, unnecessary placeholders.
Step 3: Use the Stencil for Conversation
Leave the remaining, relevant placeholders in the stencil format15.
Use this customized, simplified view as a visual aid to guide your tax-time conversations with the client.
Step 4: Clear the Stencil
After the tax-related conversations are finished and the stencil is no longer relevant, clear the stencil out. Right click (alt click) on the map. Hover over the "Stencil" menu option. Select "Clear Stencil" to remove all stencil tiles.
This removes the tax-form placeholders and returns the view to the client's current financial state.
11/2025