# How property managers request a copy of last year’s tax return from applicants

Source: https://dokutrak.com/requests/property-managers/prior-year-tax-return
Author: Arthur Teboul, DokuTrak
Published: 2026-11-14
Language: en-US

> Ask self-employed applicants, and anyone whose income does not show on pay stubs, for their most recent federal tax return: Form 1040 with its schedules, as filed. The return shows a full year of income as reported to the IRS. Make sure Schedule C or Schedule E comes with it when the applicant has business or rental income.

## Why property managers need a copy of last year’s tax return

A freelancer or business owner has no employer to vouch for their pay. The 1040 is the one document that shows a full year of income as reported to the IRS. Schedule C shows net profit after business expenses, and that is the figure to compare with the rent, not gross receipts. Some managers pair it with recent bank statements to see the current year.

## What exactly to ask for

The complete federal Form 1040 for the most recent year filed, every page, with Schedule 1 and Schedule C, E or SE where they apply. The PDF from the tax software or from the applicant’s preparer is best. Applicants may black out Social Security numbers except the last four digits.

## What to check when it arrives

- The name on the return matches the applicant, and the tax year is the latest filed.
- Schedule C net profit, not gross receipts, is the figure you compare with the rent.
- Every schedule listed on the 1040 is included in the file.

## Email to send your client

Subject: Your last tax return for the rental application

```text
Hi [Client name],

Thank you for applying. Since you are self-employed, pay stubs will not tell the full story, so I would like to see your most recent federal tax return.

Please send the complete Form 1040 as filed, with all its schedules, especially Schedule C if you run a business. The PDF from your tax software or your preparer is ideal. You can black out your Social Security number except the last four digits.

Could you send it by [date]? If your latest return is not filed yet, let me know and we will find another way to show your income.

Thank you,
[Your name]
```

## Ask once. DokuTrak does the chasing.

- Your client uploads from one link, with no account and no password.
- Reminders go out on a schedule, by default 2, 5, 10 and 14 days after the request, until the file arrives.
- With AI review switched on in your workspace (it is off by default), each upload gets a first pass that flags a file that is not a copy of last year’s tax return or an unreadable or blurry scan. It says so when it is not sure.
- You accept every file or mark it for re-upload, and your client gets the note by email. The AI never accepts a file.

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