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Tax Preparers

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $54,920 Median per year · $26.40/hr Most earn $33,760–$99,270

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Schedule appointments with clients.
  • Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
  • Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
  • Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
  • Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
  • Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 9,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services78.0%
  • Self-employed (their own business)17.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Tax Preparer is usually reached through a short certificate or apprenticeship after high school, often with about 1 to 2 years of related work experience first. You don't need a four-year degree to start, though some preparers go on to earn one later.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build strong math skills and take business or accounting classes if your school offers them, since they are the foundation for working with tax numbers and forms.

  2. Tax preparation certificate or short training course

    Several months

    Learn federal and state tax rules, tax software, and how to prepare individual returns, which prepares you for entry-level work.

  3. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk

    1-2 years

    Work with financial records, payroll, and accounts, which builds the experience and accuracy employers look for before they trust you with tax returns.

  4. Tax Preparer

    Ongoing

    Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses, often during busy tax season, and keep learning new tax rules each year.

Where it can lead

  1. Tax Examiner

    1-2 years of experience first

    Move into a government role reviewing returns and resolving tax issues for agencies like the IRS; many roles prefer an associate degree.

  2. Accountant

    2-4 years of experience first

    Earn a bachelor's degree in accounting, often while working, to handle broader financial reporting, auditing, and advice for businesses and clients.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and business classesAlgebra, statistics, and any accounting or business course give you a head start on working with numbers and financial records.
  • Get a part-time job that handles moneyA cashier or store job teaches you to count accurately and to work with customers, both of which matter for tax work.
  • Join a business or finance clubClubs that focus on business or money skills help you practice teamwork, presenting, and learning about careers in finance.
  • Volunteer at a free tax-filing siteIf one is open near you, helping people file simple returns lets you see the work up close and practice the basics.
  • Organize your own financesTracking a budget or helping your family understand a tax form builds the habit of careful record-keeping.

In college

  • Take accounting and tax coursesIntro accounting and an introductory tax course teach the rules and terms you'll use every day as a preparer.
  • Pursue a tax preparation certificateMany community colleges and training schools offer short tax certificate programs that match the typical entry path for this job.
  • Work a campus bookkeeping or office jobJobs in a financial aid or bursar office build experience with records, deadlines, and confidential information.
  • Look for a seasonal tax internshipTax firms often hire helpers during busy season, which gives you hands-on experience and a possible job offer.
  • Join an accounting or business clubCampus groups connect you with professionals and peers and show you how the field works in practice.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local tax preparation office if they hire seasonal help or offer training, since many small firms teach new preparers on the job.
  • Learn to use spreadsheet software and basic tax preparation software, because employers look for comfort with the tools they use every day.
  • Keep a habit of checking your work carefully; accuracy and clear communication with clients matter as much as knowing the rules.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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