Tax Preparer

Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: CPA (Certified Public Accountant); Enrolled Agent; Income Tax Preparer; Tax Accountant; Tax Advisor; Tax Associate; Tax Consultant; Tax Preparer; Tax Professional; Tax Specialist

Tasks

• Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
• Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
• Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
• Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
• Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
• Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
• Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
• Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
• Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
• Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
• Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
• Schedule appointments with clients.

Knowledge

• Economics and Accounting
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics
• Law and Government
• Computers and Electronics
• Administrative

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Number Facility
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Fluency of Ideas
• Problem Sensitivity
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Speech Recognition