ATSMAN wrote:The bigger question is what are you trying to find out?
Same question here. I'd be more worried about them running a background check on you, the risk is greater in that direction.
taxnyc123 wrote:Couldn't reviewing the clients credit report help ask the right questions, etc.? [...] Also, checking the credit report would show possible tax deductions.
Yes, to both questions. For example, you could note student loans, or mortgage loans, and ask about those. However, you would also get credit card info which is most likely completely irrelevant to the tax return. And you would see who else had made inquiries on the report, along with a lot of other "noise" data.
Overall, I think any tax interview value to the credit report is far smaller than the costs and risks to you of obtaining one (after all, once you have the data, now you have a huge responsibility to protect it). If you really think it will help, just ask client to get their own free annual report and bring it in.