A tax preparer helps individuals and businesses understand their tax obligations and file accurate returns. The work is detail-oriented, in demand, and you can start with a high school education. Here is what the work involves, what skills matter most, and how to get in.
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Tax preparers work with clients to gather financial information, then use that data to complete and file tax returns. You will spend most of your time on computers, entering data, reviewing documents, and checking calculations against tax laws and regulations. You read and interpret tax codes, listen carefully to clients to understand their situations, and think critically about how rules apply to each case. You also document your work, answer client questions, and stay current with changing tax laws and software updates throughout the year.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Tax Preparers earn a median of $54,920 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 10,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most tax preparers start with a high school diploma or equivalent and gain knowledge through on-the-job training, community college courses, or self-study. You will need to learn accounting principles, tax law, and tax preparation software. Many employers offer training programs. Some tax preparers pursue professional credentials to advance their careers and build client trust. The path typically takes months to a few years of focused study and hands-on experience before you are ready to work independently.
Many people enter this field through employer training, community college, or self-directed study. If you are exploring which path fits your timeline and goals, Pathly can map the tax preparer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that works for you.
Many tax preparers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are detail-oriented, methodical, and comfortable with rules and systems. You like working with numbers and information, and you take pride in accuracy and compliance.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).