Tax Preparers Salary

The median tax preparers salary in the United States is $54,920 per year ($26.40/hour). Salaries range from $33,760 at the entry level to $99,270+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 76,480 tax preparers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.5% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asTax PreparerTax ProfessionalEnrolled Agent
Median Salary
$54,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.40
per hour
Employment
76,480
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$33,760
25th percentile
$38,910
Median
$54,920
75th percentile
$76,300
90th percentile
$99,270

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.5%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

10,400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Tax Preparers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for tax preparerss.

Tax Preparers help individuals + businesses file federal + state tax returns. Career splits: seasonal tax preparers at H&R Block/Jackson Hewitt/Liberty Tax (entry, seasonal), CPA firms (small + mid-sized firms full-year work + higher pay), enrolled agents (year-round + tax representation), independent tax preparers (own book of business), specialty (small business, expatriate, high-net-worth). Path: high school + tax preparer training + PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) + state licensing where required. Advanced: Enrolled Agent (EA) or CPA for higher pay + tax representation authority. Compensation: seasonal $15-30/hr; independent full-year tax preparers $40-95k; EAs $65-140k; CPA specializing in tax $75-180k+; tax practice owners $100-500k+.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Tax law + code knowledge
Federal + state income tax. Individual + business tax. Understanding Internal Revenue Code + regulations.
Tax preparation software (ProSeries, UltraTax, Drake, Lacerte, TurboTax)
Professional-grade tax software. Different firms use different systems.
Client interviewing + document review
W-2, 1099, K-1, receipts, prior-year returns. Interviewing clients about life events (marriage, divorce, home purchase, business).
Deductions + credits
Itemized vs standard, business deductions, credits (EITC, child tax, education, home office). Maximizing legally-available benefits.
Tax planning + strategy
Multi-year tax strategy for business + individuals. Estimated payments + withholding + retirement contributions.
Small business + self-employment
Schedule C, SE tax, deductions, quarterly estimated payments. Growing niche.
State + local tax
State income tax, sales tax basics, business + occupational licenses. Multi-state complexity.
Client relationship + retention
Building trust + long-term relationships. Referral generation.

How to Become a Tax Preparers

  1. 1
    High school diploma + prerequisites (basic math + business)
    Reading + basic math required. Business background helpful but not required.
  2. 2
    Tax preparer training (varies)
    H&R Block Tax Course + Jackson Hewitt training + Liberty Tax School (free/low-cost) + online courses + community college certificate programs.
  3. 3
    PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) from IRS
    Required for anyone paid to prepare federal tax returns.
  4. 4
    AFSP (Annual Filing Season Program) β€” IRS voluntary program
    Signals commitment. Requires continuing education.
  5. 5
    State licensing (where required)
    California + Oregon + Maryland + New York require state licensing. $50-300 state application + testing.
  6. 6
    First tax season job (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, or independent)
    Seasonal + full-year options. Learn workflow + client interaction.
  7. 7
    Optional: Enrolled Agent (EA) exam + certification
    IRS credential + tax representation authority. Higher pay + client trust.
  8. 8
    Optional: CPA (Certified Public Accountant) β€” most valuable but requires accounting degree + 150 credits
    For higher pay + business tax + comprehensive practice.

Career Progression

Seasonal Tax Preparer
0-1 season yrs$28-42k annualized Β· Seasonal peak Feb-April Β· Hourly $15-30
  • β€’Prepare basic individual returns
  • β€’Client interviewing + document review
  • β€’Following firm protocols
Next: Experienced Preparer.
Experienced Tax Preparer / AFSP
1-3 seasons yrs$38-58k annualized Β· Hourly $22-38 Β· Independent $45-75k
  • β€’Complex returns
  • β€’Building client base
  • β€’Repeat business + referrals
Next: Independent / Enrolled Agent.
Enrolled Agent (EA) / Independent Tax Preparer
3-8 years yrs$62-105k Β· Peak-season contract EAs $80-140k Β· Independent tax practice owners variable
  • β€’Full tax representation
  • β€’Complex individual + business returns
  • β€’Client-facing tax advisor
Next: Sr EA / CPA / Practice Owner.
CPA (Tax) / Sr EA / Practice Owner
5-15+ years yrs$85-180k Β· Practice owner variable $80k-$400k+
  • β€’Complex tax strategy + planning
  • β€’Team leadership (small firm)
  • β€’High-net-worth + business clients
Next: Tax Partner / Practice Executive.
Tax Partner / Practice Executive
10-20+ years yrs$150-320k Β· Large firm partners $250-500k+ Β· Multi-office practice owners $300-800k+
  • β€’Firm strategy + P&L
  • β€’Multi-tax specialist team
  • β€’Large business + estate + trust practice

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Tell me about your tax preparation experience.situational
Concrete: Number of returns prepared, complexity (individual, self-employed, small business), software, years. Screens for real experience.
Q2. How do you handle a client with a complex tax situation?case
Concrete: Systematic interview + document collection + research (Circular 230, IRS publications, tax code) + preparation + review + presentation to client. Screens for real tax skill.
Q3. Tell me about a difficult client interaction.behavioral
STAR. Real interaction. Empathy + clear communication + resolution. Screens for real client skills.
Q4. Why our firm / role?culture
Research: firm size, focus (individual + business + specialty), culture, growth. Concrete citation.
Q5. How do you handle a return with potential errors?situational
Concrete: Review before filing + client confirmation + amended return if error discovered post-filing. Never file inaccurate return. Screens for integrity.

Resume Template β€” Experienced Tax Preparer (2-4 seasons)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Experienced Tax Preparer (2-4 seasons)
  • β–ΈTax Preparer, [Firm], 3 seasons preparing 800+ individual + small business tax returns.
  • β–ΈPTIN + AFSP + State [Bar / Board] Licensed. Working toward Enrolled Agent designation.
  • β–ΈZero IRS notices + zero client complaints on prepared returns in past 2 seasons.
  • β–ΈGrew client base 35% YoY through repeat clients + referrals. Bilingual English + Spanish.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Weak tax law knowledge or continuing education.
  • βœ—Poor client communication skills.
  • βœ—History of IRS notices or errors without correction discipline.
  • βœ—Bad-mouthing prior firm or clients.
  • βœ—Missing PTIN or state licensing.
  • βœ—Weak documentation habits.
  • βœ—Not staying current with tax law changes.
  • βœ—Ethical concerns (aggressive positions, fabricating deductions).

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Hourly rate + commission per return + retention bonus.
  • βœ“Client base ownership (can bring clients from prior firm).
  • βœ“Signing bonus $1-10k in high-demand areas.
  • βœ“Continuing education + IRS Circular 230 hours reimbursed.
  • βœ“Software license + workspace + technology.
  • βœ“PTO + off-season pay (full-year employment).
  • βœ“Career path to EA + CPA + partnership.
  • βœ“Practice building support + marketing.

Tax Preparers Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired tax preparerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
  • βœ“ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Tax Preparers Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 12 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 8 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
  • βœ“ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
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Tax Preparers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$33K
$72Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

New York
$72K
+31%
California
$70K
+28%
Utah
$67K
+21%
Montana
$63K
+15%
Missouri
$63K
+14%
Colorado
$63K
+14%
Alaska
$62K
+14%
New Hampshire
$61K
+12%
Oregon
$61K
+12%
Pennsylvania
$61K
+12%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
New York$71,850+30.8%
California$70,030+27.5%
Utah$66,720+21.5%
Montana$63,080+14.9%
Missouri$62,780+14.3%
Colorado$62,620+14.0%
Alaska$62,360+13.5%
New Hampshire$61,370+11.7%
Oregon$61,370+11.7%
Pennsylvania$61,270+11.6%
1–10 of 48

Tax Preparers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$84,240+53.4%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,180+47.8%
Kansas City, MO-KS$78,920+43.7%
Jefferson City, MO$75,990+38.4%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$71,800+30.7%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$71,300+29.8%
Amarillo, TX$70,980+29.2%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$70,170+27.8%
St. Louis, MO-IL$69,210+26.0%
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT$66,920+21.8%
1–10 of 187
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A tax preparers earning $54,920/year would need 1085 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1165 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how tax preparers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Tax Preparers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’