# How tax preparers request a Schedule K-1 from clients

Source: https://dokutrak.com/requests/tax-preparers/schedule-k-1
Author: Arthur Teboul, DokuTrak
Published: 2026-11-01
Language: en-US

> Ask each client with a stake in a partnership, LLC, S corporation, trust or estate for every Schedule K-1, with all pages and attached statements. K-1s often arrive after other tax forms, sometimes close to the filing deadline, so ask early which entities to expect and plan an extension if one is still missing.

## Why tax preparers need a Schedule K-1

The K-1 carries the client’s share of the entity’s income, losses, deductions and credits onto Form 1040, mostly through Schedule E. The codes and attached statements matter as much as the boxes: they can show self-employment earnings, qualified business income information, foreign items or basis details. Filing without a K-1 you know is coming usually means amending later, so an extension is often the cleaner route.

## What exactly to ask for

The complete K-1 package from each entity for the tax year: the federal K-1, any state K-1s, and every footnote or supplemental statement. Ask the client to list every partnership, S corporation, trust or estate they held an interest in, and for a contact at each entity, so you can ask about timing directly.

## What to check when it arrives

- The form type matches the entity: K-1s from Form 1065, 1120-S and 1041 are read differently.
- Every code used in the boxes has its supporting statement attached, not only the first page.
- Basis and at-risk information from prior years is on file before you deduct a loss.

## Email to send your client

Subject: Your Schedule K-1s: a list now, the forms as they come

```text
Hi [Client name],

Do you own part of a partnership, LLC or S corporation, or receive income from a trust or estate? Each one sends a Schedule K-1, and I need every one, with all pages and statements attached, not just the first page.

K-1s often arrive later than other tax forms. Could you send me a list of the entities now, and forward each K-1 as soon as it reaches you? Ideally by [date]. If one is still missing near the deadline, we can file an extension rather than guess.

If you have a contact at an entity, their name helps me ask about timing.

Best,
[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 Schedule K-1 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.

14-day free trial, no card. Add one only to keep going.