Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Tax Preparer
What tax preparers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the appointment list and prep folders at the tax office. From there, the day usually includes interview clients about income and life changes, gather and review tax documents, and prepare returns in tax software. Many work long hours during tax season, including evenings and weekends, and part-time or not at all in the off-season.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a tax preparer working full time.
- Review the appointment list and prep folders at the tax office.
- Interview a client who started a side business.
- Prepare the return, including Schedule C and self-employment tax.
- Help a family claim education and child tax credits.
- Answer a client’s question about an IRS notice.
- Quality-review a coworker’s return.
- File returns electronically and update client records.
Where tax preparers work
Tax preparers work in tax offices, accounting firms, retail kiosks and from home. The work is computer-based and very busy from January through April.
Hours and schedule
Many work long hours during tax season, including evenings and weekends, and part-time or not at all in the off-season.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Interview clients about income and life changes
- Gather and review tax documents
- Prepare returns in tax software
- Identify deductions and credits
- Check returns for accuracy
- File returns electronically
- Explain results and answer tax questions
Tools you’ll use every day
- Professional tax software
- IRS e-file systems
- Document scanners
- Client portals
- Spreadsheets
- IRS publications and research tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Quick training for seasonal work
- Flexible, part-time options
- Help clients save money
- Option to start your own practice
What’s hard
- Very busy tax season
- Seasonal income for many
- Tax laws change often
- Responsibility for accuracy
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like working with numbers and rules
- I’m detail-oriented
- I enjoy helping people with money questions
- I can handle a busy season
- I want flexible or seasonal work
- I might want my own business
Not sure? Take the free Tax Preparer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect client data with secure systems
- Verify client identity to prevent fraud
- Follow IRS data security requirements
- Take breaks during long tax-season days