SaaS Tax Workflow Platform Development

Build a Vertical SaaS Tax Workflow Platform (Phase 1 of 3) - Long-Term Partnership Opportunity

**Project Overview**

We are an established US accounting and tax firm building a vertical SaaS platform to serve other accounting firms in our industry. We have a three-phase roadmap and are starting with Phase 1, but we want a developer who understands the full vision so the foundation supports all three phases.

We are looking for a long-term development partner across all three phases. This posting is for Phase 1.

**The Full Three-Phase Vision**

Phase 1 (this engagement): Build a tax workflow platform that replaces gettruss.io. See full feature requirements below. Please review gettruss.io thoroughly before bidding.

Phase 2 (future engagement): Build tax intake and preparation capabilities that take client data and produce Drake Tax backup files for direct import into Drake with the return pre-started.

Phase 3 (future engagement): Layer in AI-powered firm intelligence connecting CRM, email, phone, and document storage so the platform has contextual knowledge of every client relationship.

**Phase 1 Scope: Tax Workflow Platform**

The platform must replicate the core functionality of gettruss.io. At a minimum, this includes:

End-to-end tax workflow with four stages: Intake, Workpaper, Prep, and Delivery, all visible from a single dashboard.

Intake module: zero-login client links for document collection, AI-powered intake checklists that build client-specific to-dos using prior-year data, bulk client engagement letter generation with merge fields, custom forms where answers drive downstream workflow.

Document handling: clients can bulk upload tax documents. The system must automatically convert any format (JPG, PNG, HEIC, etc.) to PDF, auto-rotate to correct orientation, auto-rename files based on content (W-2, 1099, K-1, etc.), and auto-split multi-document PDFs into the correct individual files routed to the correct project tasks.

Workpaper module: instant combined and bookmarked PDFs in tax-return order, in-browser annotation with tick marks, stamps, and notes, full audit trail of every action, AI-powered extraction and de-duplication, secure sharing.

AI assistant: an in-platform AI side panel that can read uploaded client documents, prior tax returns, and client emails, answer tax research questions (with optional web research mode), analyze returns and flag unusual items or year-over-year changes, search across all documents by form, dollar amount, SSN, or pattern, draft client emails with full project context, and send drafts through connected email accounts.

Prior-year backup imports: the ability to ingest a Drake backup file (and potentially other tax software backups) and automatically create contacts, entities, and projects in our platform based on the prior-year data.

Delivery module: auto-built branded delivery packets, built-in e-signature for engagement letters, 8879s, and other tax authorization forms, integrated payment and invoicing at delivery, K-1 distribution with per-recipient tracking, encrypted secure file sharing via magic links.

Communication: notifications inbox that triages uploads, tasks, comments, signatures, and invoices in one view, automated client nudges and reminders, internal team comments and collaboration.

Mobile and desktop: a mobile scanner app that lets clients scan documents directly into project tasks, a desktop application for offline access.

Integrations: must support direct import/export workflows with major US tax software including Drake, UltraTax, Lacerte, CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, ProSeries, ProConnect, ATX, and GoSystem.

Multi-tenancy: firm-level workspaces with role-based permissions, multi-tenant architecture from day one, designed to scale to thousands of firm tenants.

Architecture: API-first design so Phase 2 (intake-to-Drake-backup generation) and Phase 3 (firm intelligence) can extend the platform without rework.

**Security and Compliance Requirements (Non-Negotiable)**

This platform will store highly sensitive client information including Social Security numbers, tax returns, financial accounts, and bank information. The platform must be built to meet:

SOC 2 Type II compliance standards (we will pursue the audit; you must build to those controls).

AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS in transit for all data.

Full audit logging of every action by every user.

Role-based access controls and principle of least privilege.

US-only data residency for all client data.

IRS §7216 compliance for taxpayer data handling.

Secure file sharing via expiring magic links without requiring client account creation.

Bank-grade authentication including MFA for firm users.

Regular automated security scanning and penetration test readiness.

Demonstrated experience building SOC 2 compliant SaaS is required. If you have not built to SOC 2 controls before, please do not bid.

**What We Are Looking For in a Developer or Team**

Demonstrated experience building multi-tenant SaaS platforms (links to live products required).

Demonstrated experience building to SOC 2 compliance.

Experience building AI-integrated applications including document analysis, RAG, or LLM-powered features.

Experience in US tax, accounting, or financial services industries strongly preferred.

Strong written English communication.

Ability to work on a milestone-based fixed-price contract.

**Budget and Engagement**

Budget: under $25K USD for Phase 1, fixed price.

We are aware this is an aggressive budget for the scope described. We are open to bids from solo developers, small teams, or offshore agencies that can deliver to this budget. We are also open to phased milestone deliveries where we pay as features complete rather than one lump sum.

If you believe the budget is unrealistic for the full scope, you may bid on a reduced MVP scope and explain what you would defer to a follow-up engagement.

The right partner will have the opportunity to bid on Phase 2 and Phase 3 with separate scopes and budgets.

**What to Include in Your Bid**

Links to two or three SaaS platforms you have built, ideally in regulated industries.

Confirmation of SOC 2 build experience with examples.

Your recommended tech stack with reasoning.

Estimated timeline for Phase 1.

Proposed milestone breakdown.

If you believe the budget requires a reduced MVP, explain what you would include and what you would defer.

Any questions about scope or our existing tech stack (we use Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, Zoom Phone, and Zoho WorkDrive as our backend systems). Show More