Tax Preparer job description template
Tax preparers interview clients, gather documents and prepare individual and small-business returns during tax season. Every paid preparer needs a PTIN from the IRS, and some states add their own registration or licensing rules. A good post says what kinds of returns you prepare, whether you train new preparers, and the hours you expect in the busiest weeks.
Tax Preparer
TemporaryYour Company is hiring a tax preparer for the coming tax season. You'll meet with clients, review their documents, prepare accurate federal and state returns and explain the results in plain language. You'll use professional tax software, and an experienced preparer will review your work before it's filed. We're looking for someone accurate, discreet and good with people. Experienced preparers and those who've completed a tax course are both welcome to apply.
What you’ll do
- Interview clients about their income, dependents, deductions and credits
- Review W-2s, 1099s and other documents, and ask for anything that's missing
- Prepare federal and state returns accurately in our tax software
- Complete the required due diligence for refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Explain each return, refund or balance due, and the payment options, to the client
- E-file returns and track acceptances, rejections and corrections
- Protect client data by following our security procedures for documents, devices and passwords
- Follow up with clients about missing documents, extensions and signatures
What we’re looking for
- A valid PTIN from the IRS, or able to get one before you prepare returns
- Experience preparing individual returns, or a completed tax preparation course
- Any registration or license our state requires for paid preparers
- Strong attention to detail and comfort with numbers
- Discreet with personal and financial information
- Available for long weekday and Saturday hours during tax season
Nice to have
- IRS Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion, or Enrolled Agent status
- Experience with Drake, ProSeries, UltraTax or Lacerte
- Experience with self-employment, Schedule C or rental property returns
- Fluency in a language our clients speak
Schedule
Seasonal, from January through the April filing deadline, with long weekday hours and Saturdays at peak. Some preparers stay on part-time for extensions and amended returns.
What we offer
- Paid training on our software and procedures before the season starts
- Experienced reviewers who check your returns and help you learn
- Flexible scheduling after the peak weeks
- The chance to return each season or stay on year-round
Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.
Tax Preparer our company is hiring a tax preparer for the coming tax season. You'll meet with clients, review their documents, prepare accurate federal and state returns and explain the results in plain language. You'll use professional tax software, and an experienced preparer will review your work before it's filed. We're looking for someone accurate, discreet and good with people. Experienced preparers and those who've completed a tax course are both welcome to apply. What you’ll do • Interview clients about their income, dependents, deductions and credits • Review W-2s, 1099s and other documents, and ask for anything that's missing • Prepare federal and state returns accurately in our tax software • Complete the required due diligence for refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit • Explain each return, refund or balance due, and the payment options, to the client • E-file returns and track acceptances, rejections and corrections • Protect client data by following our security procedures for documents, devices and passwords • Follow up with clients about missing documents, extensions and signatures What we’re looking for • A valid PTIN from the IRS, or able to get one before you prepare returns • Experience preparing individual returns, or a completed tax preparation course • Any registration or license our state requires for paid preparers • Strong attention to detail and comfort with numbers • Discreet with personal and financial information • Available for long weekday and Saturday hours during tax season Nice to have • IRS Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion, or Enrolled Agent status • Experience with Drake, ProSeries, UltraTax or Lacerte • Experience with self-employment, Schedule C or rental property returns • Fluency in a language our clients speak Schedule Seasonal, from January through the April filing deadline, with long weekday hours and Saturdays at peak. Some preparers stay on part-time for extensions and amended returns. What we offer • Paid training on our software and procedures before the season starts • Experienced reviewers who check your returns and help you learn • Flexible scheduling after the peak weeks • The chance to return each season or stay on year-round
Screening questions for a tax preparer
Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.
- Do you have a current PTIN, or are you willing to get one before the season starts?Yes / No · required
- How many tax seasons have you prepared returns, and which software did you use?Short answer · required
- How would you handle a client who wants to claim a deduction they can't document?Paragraph
Tax Preparer interview questions
- Walk me through how you'd interview a new client who has a W-2 job and a side business.
- What questions do you ask to confirm a client qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
- A return you filed comes back rejected. How do you handle it?
- How do you explain a balance due to a client who expected a refund?
- What steps do you take to protect clients' personal information?
- A client pressures you to report something you believe is inaccurate. What do you do?
- How do you stay accurate during the long days of peak season?
Tips for hiring a tax preparer
- Verify each preparer's PTIN and any state registration before the season starts. California, Maryland, New York and Oregon are among the states with their own requirements.
- Start recruiting in the fall. Experienced preparers commit early, and new preparers need time to train before January.
- Give finalists a short practice return with a few planted issues, like a missing 1099 or a dependent who doesn't qualify. You'll see how carefully they work.
- Have a written information security plan, which the IRS expects tax professionals to keep, and walk every new hire through it on day one.