Where to Find Tax Preparer Jobs From Home

A career in tax planning, preparation, and advisory services is gratifying and full of rewards, but sometimes, taxes can be confusing for clients, so they come to you for guidance and advice. Whether you’re currently a tax preparer looking to find work from home job opportunities or someone who is entirely new to taxes, there are several options available for you.

Benefits of Working Remotely

As a tax professional, you’re at an advantage because much of the work you do can be done from home. The ability to telecommute can be a dramatic benefit because it opens up a world of opportunities.

By working from home, you can achieve a better work-life balance, have more time to spend with loved ones and enjoy extra leisure time. You’re able to eliminate your daily commute, while also reducing vehicle-related expenses, meals, professional clothing, and even childcare costs.

Today, geographical boundaries no longer exist. As a tax professional, you can prepare or file tax returns and provide tax advice to clients across the country.

Where to Find Remote Job Opportunities

When searching for work from home preparer jobs, your two main options are either working with an existing company or working independently as a freelance preparer.

When choosing which opportunity makes sense for you, you’ll want to consider a company’s core values, employee benefits, and employee reviews, if available.

• Seasonal work: You can work with existing companies through remote job opportunities. To find these positions, search online job boards or go directly to the company’s website. If you’re currently employed by a tax firm or company, you can also ask whether telecommuting is an option.
• Freelance: According to the IRS, you’re not required to have a formal education or credentials in order to prepare taxes for another individual. However, assuming you plan to prepare taxes in return for compensation, you must apply for an IRS preparer tax identification number. Once you have this, you can legally prepare and file tax returns for clients on your own.

If you’re an unenrolled tax return preparer (a non-credentialed professional who helps prepare and file taxes), you are also eligible to apply for select positions.

To improve your chances of being hired as an unenrolled return preparer, you can participate in the Annual Filing Season Program (Spanish version available here) or even become credentialed. By becoming a credentialed preparer, you will be placed in the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. The directory is public, allowing employers and recruiters to use this tool when attempting to fill work-from-home positions.

Intuit’s New Virtual Tax Expert Network

TurboTax® Live is offering unique work from home opportunities to credentialed and non-credentialed tax preparers. With TurboTax Live, Intuit® has expanded their solution to help “do-it-yourself” consumers get their taxes reviewed or completed by a tax expert.

As a tax preparer at Intuit, you’ll increase your knowledge, while working alongside a broad network of enthusiastic tax professionals in an environment that promotes professional growth. You’ll have the opportunity to earn additional income during tax season, and gain skills and expertise that can be used in many areas of your profession. Intuit offers 401(k) match, flexible schedules, and training and development programs.

Click here to apply and learn more about joining an exciting team of tax experts.