Tax preparers

SOC Code: 13-2082
Also known as:
Corporate Tax Preparer, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Credentialed Tax Expert, Credentialed Tax Professional, Enrolled Agent
Median Annual Salary
$50,560
+4.5% growth (2024-2034)
10K
Openings/Year
91K
Current Jobs

What Tax preparers Do

Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

💰 Salary

$50,560
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+4.5%
Faster than average

🎓 Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

10K
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

90,600

Projected Employment (2034)

94,700

Related Careers

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Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents

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Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

$49,210 • -5.8% growth
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Top Skills Required

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Active Learning

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
  • Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
  • Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
  • Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
  • Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
  • Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
  • Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
  • Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
  • Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
  • Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.

Technology & Tools

Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Tax preparers

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a tax preparers:

Accounting

58,956 degrees awarded • 1,356 colleges offer this program
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Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping

17,375 degrees awarded • 632 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Taxation

1,238 degrees awarded • 90 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Tax preparers

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become tax preparers.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 328 A
2 University of Georgia Athens, GA 293 A
3 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 242 A
4 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 820 B+
5 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 358 B+
6 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 353 B+
7 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 324 B+
8 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 286 B+
9 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 275 B+
10 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 272 B+
11 CUNY Queens College Queens, NY 263 B+
12 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 253 B+
13 Florida International University Miami, FL 251 B+
14 Clemson University Clemson, SC 250 B+
15 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 224 B+
16 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 216 B+
17 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 197 B+
18 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 186 B+
19 Binghamton University Vestal, NY 184 B+
20 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 166 B+

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tax preparers make?
The median annual salary for tax preparers is $50,560.
What education do tax preparers need?
Most tax preparers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Common degree programs include Accounting, Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping, Taxation.
Is becoming tax preparers a good career choice?
Tax preparers is projected to see +4.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 10,400 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for tax preparers?
Top colleges for aspiring tax preparers include The University of Texas at Austin, University of Georgia, University of Florida, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to tax preparers?
Tax preparers may also be known as: Corporate Tax Preparer, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Credentialed Tax Expert, Credentialed Tax Professional, Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Advisor, Income Tax Consultant, Income Tax Expert, Income Tax Preparer, Licensed Tax Consultant, Preseason Tax Professional, Tax Accountant, Tax Advisor, Tax Associate, Tax Consultant, Tax Evaluator, Tax Preparer, Tax Preparer Assistant, Tax Professional, Tax Specialist. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.