Abstract: A system and method for automating the process of gathering information from taxpayers for tax practitioner-filed tax returns. The system and method automates the collection of taxpayer information from multiple sources to pre-populate a digital tax file prior to gathering information from a taxpayer. The tax information automatically collected and loaded (e.g. pre-populated) is organized in standardized digital tax files for every taxpayer, per tax year. The standardized digital tax file is automatically generated and the standardized format created enables the automation of tax preparation and filing workflows.