Tax Preparers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, OverviewLeave a Comment

[content_band class=”toc”] [custom_headline style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h6″]Table of Contents[/custom_headline]

[/content_band]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Job description [/custom_headline]

Tax Preparers prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

  • Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
  • Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients’ taxes to a minimum.
  • Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
  • Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
Read more about what does a Tax Preparer really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.

[clear]

Featured Schools

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Salary [/custom_headline]
Average salary
$46860 per year

Average hourly wage
$23 per hour

[clear]

Tax Preparers with little to no experience tend to make between $20550 and $26280 while the more experienced ones can earn over $60120 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $47 $97,070
MA $32 $65,670
NY $31 $63,440
CO $28 $57,650
CA $27 $57,040

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Tax Preparer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Tax Preparers are DC, MA, NY, CO and CA.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Tax Preparer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Requirements [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Tax Preparers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by an Associate’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
Taxation
Read more about how to become a Tax Preparer and the degree, training and education you need.

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Pros and Cons [/custom_headline]

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Tax Preparer.

[icon type=”thumbs-o-up”] PROS
Suitable for people who likes to follow routines
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
[icon type=”thumbs-o-down”] CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Salary is below average
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What is the job like[/custom_headline]
Job satisfaction
68%

Is this job meaningful
35%

[clear]

68% of Tax Preparers said they were satisfied with their job and 35% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Dmytro Serheeiv
Self-employed

My name is Dmytro Serheeiv. I’m a professional tax specialist with more than 10 years of experience in the private, public accounting, and government sectors. I’m currently a self-employed tax consultant and the leading tax consultant at PDFLiner. My typical day I had a small office near the central IRS department in my city, where … Read More

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Is this right for me[/custom_headline]
Best personality for this career
The Organizers and The Entrepreneurs

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

[clear]

[clear]
[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about Tax Preparers[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary (You are here)
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
[/content_band]
[content_band bg_color=”#ffffff” border=”all” style=”padding: 30px; margin-bottom: 0;”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0; line-height: 140%; text-transform: capitalize;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″] Find a college with the major you want [/custom_headline]
[/content_band]
[clear]

Related career information

Tax Preparers job description, Tax Preparers salary, Tax Preparers information, what is the job of a Tax Preparer like, pros and cons about Tax Preparers, colleges and universities for Tax Preparers, is Tax Preparers the right career for me, careers in Business and Finance

Similar careers

Certified Income Tax Preparer (CTP), Corporate Tax Preparer, Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Advisor, Income Tax Consultant, Income Tax Expert, Income Tax Preparer, Licensed Tax Consultant, Master Tax Advisor, Tax Advisor

Additional resources

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.