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How to Become a Tax Preparer

If you're good with numbers, enjoy helping people, and don’t mind a bit of paperwork, tax prep could be a rewarding (and flexible) career path. It’s one of the few roles where short-term training can lead to consistent, seasonal, or full-time income—no degree required.

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Tax Preparer Job Overview

Tax preparers help individuals and businesses file their taxes accurately and on time. That includes collecting financial records, reviewing income and deductions, and submitting forms to the IRS or state agencies. Some work year-round, while others focus on the busy tax season (January through April).

You might see job titles like tax professional, tax examiner, income tax preparer, enrolled agent, or tax associate. The work can range from basic returns to more complex filings for corporations or self-employed clients.


Job Duties
  • Meet with clients to gather income and expense documentation
  • Calculate tax liability or refunds using software or IRS forms
  • Identify credits, deductions, and legal ways to lower tax bills
  • Prepare and electronically file tax returns
  • Stay up to date on current tax laws and filing requirements
  • Explain tax outcomes and payment/refund options to clients
Salary Information
  • Entry Level: $40,020
  • Median Annual Salary: $59,740
  • Experienced: $110,300

Get Trained

Many tax preparers start with short-term training, then build experience by working with individuals, small businesses, or tax prep firms. Here's a typical path:

Earn a high school diploma or GED: This is the basic requirement for most training programs and employers.

Complete a tax preparer course: Many are available online and cover tax law, filing basics, and IRS forms. Some can be completed in just a few weeks.

Apply for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN): You’ll need this IRS-issued number to legally prepare returns for others.

Pursue certification (optional but helpful): Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) gives you more flexibility and earning power, especially if you want to grow your own practice or work with more complex returns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to become a tax preparer?

No. You can get started with a high school diploma, a PTIN, and basic training in tax preparation.

Is this only seasonal work?

Many preparers work full-time during tax season (Jan–Apr), but others stay busy year-round helping with extensions, audits, business filings, or bookkeeping.

What’s the difference between a tax preparer and an enrolled agent?

An enrolled agent (EA) is licensed by the IRS and can represent clients in front of the IRS. Regular tax preparers can’t, unless they’re attorneys or CPAs.

What tools do tax preparers use?

Common software includes TurboTax Pro, Drake, TaxSlayer Pro, and IRS e-file systems. You’ll also need to be comfortable with spreadsheets and basic math.

What are some job titles I might see?
  • Tax Preparer
  • Tax Examiner
  • Tax Associate
  • Tax Professional
  • Income Tax Preparer
  • Enrolled Agent
  • Tax Advisor
  • Certified Income Tax Preparer (CTP)
  • Tax Specialist
  • Corporate Tax Preparer
Can I work independently in this role?

Yes. After gaining experience and completing the necessary registration/certification, many tax preparers open their own seasonal businesses.

Get Certified

Tax Preparer Certifications

IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP)
A voluntary program that helps non-credentialed preparers stand out and gain limited IRS representation rights.
Enrolled Agent (EA)
A federal credential from the IRS that allows you to represent clients before the IRS in audits or appeals. Highly respected in the industry.
CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (California only)
California requires its own registration and training process.