The season for filing 2023 income taxes is upon us, and what better time to consider a side hustle that is gaining popularity with people looking for extra income: tax preparer.
There is definitely a need. Every year, tens of millions of Americans approach the filing of income taxes with dread. There are at least a few changes in the system every year. For example, rules for the 2023 tax year changed most as a result of inflation. The federal income tax brackets expanded by about 7%, a much larger increase than usual. The standard deduction also increased.
Other changes to look out for include new or expanded energy tax credits.
So, people need help and the right tools to figure all this out, which is one reason tax preparer is one of the most popular remote jobs.
Being a tax preparer provides freedom and control over your schedule, plus it’s easy to set up and maintain. But if you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered about whether there’s more to being a tax preparer than just doing taxes all day (spoiler alert: there is!). You may be asking yourself questions like “Can I make money on the side?” or “Is this something I’m going to stick with long-term?
To help answer these questions, we’ll go into detail about how to become a tax preparer and what makes it an appealing option for people who are looking for a way to work from home and build skillsets that can be used for years to come in a personal capacity too.
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Flexibility in location, hours
Clients can work with you from anywhere in the world. Also, tax preparers have more consistent hours than most other work from home jobs. And tax season is only a few months long, so there’s plenty of time to take off during the rest of the year.
You can often find part-time positions with flexible hours or temporary jobs during tax season in your area. There are many opportunities for work from home tax preparers, so you should be able to find something that fits your schedule.
Busiest time of year
Tax season is the busiest time of year for CPAs, tax preparers and accountants. If you’re looking for a job that will allow you to work from home and earn extra money during tax season, this might be it.
Tax preparers are in demand during tax season because they provide an essential service: helping taxpayers navigate their taxes as easily as possible. Taxpayers don’t have time or expertise on their own, so they hire professionals like CPAs or tax preparers who can help them file their taxes quickly and accurately (and avoid any penalties). Taxpayers want their money back–they want everything done right so they get all those deductions they deserve!
Tax preparation jobs offer flexibility with scheduling during tax season since work tends to increase dramatically around this time of year. Many people who want to earn extra money by working as a CPA or accountant choose this line of work specifically because it allows them an opportunity like no other industry does — the ability t0 not only choose when but also where one works!
Limited experience
Some tax preparer roles require experience in the tax field, while others don’t. If you have limited experience or no prior knowledge of taxes, you can learn what you need to know on the job. However, the minimum amount of experience necessary is earning your tax preparer certification, which can be done through a variety of online courses.
Some employers may also prefer that their employees have a college degree in accounting or finance.
Transition into accounting positions
You can use a tax preparer job as a stepping stone for other accounting positions. By learning about the tax code and accounting and finance, you’ll be able to move into more complex roles like bookkeeping or auditing. It’s possible you can find these roles on a full-time basis, too.
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Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to work from home, being a tax preparer could be a great fit. Tax preparers are in high demand right now because of the growing number of people who file their taxes online and need help preparing their returns.
Tax season is one of the busiest times of year for CPAs (accountants) and tax preparers alike. If you have some basic math skills and are willing to learn how to use software programs like TurboTax or H&R Block At Home, this could be an excellent choice for someone who wants to make money while working at home!
