A Tax Preparer, or a Tax Accountant, is responsible for submitting tax forms on behalf of clients to pay the appropriate amount and maximize the client’s return. Their duties include interviewing clients about their income and expenses, auditing account details and acting as a liaison between clients and the IRS.
A Tax Preparer should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Tax Preparer should be able to execute:
- Informing clients or employers on the tax preparation process
- Collecting relevant financial records, including pay stubs and income statements
- Inputting data from financial records into tax return software or databases
- Using applicable federal, state and local tax law to determine deductions and how much each client will pay or earn on the return
- Completing and filing tax documents with appropriate agencies, like the IRS, state and local government entities
- Acting as a representative for clients with applicable agencies as required
A competitive Tax Preparer will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- In-depth knowledge of applicable tax laws, regulations and deadlines
- Proficiency with common tax preparation, word processing and spreadsheet software applications
- Familiarity with the tax return submission and confirmation process, including how to navigate the IRS and other government entity online platforms
- Excellent customer service skills, including patience and flexibility
- Great organizational skills, including time management and strategic thinking
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
