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What Is a Tax Preparer?

Written by a TurboTax Expert • Reviewed by a TurboTax CPAUpdated for Tax Year 2024 • October 24, 2024 1:11 PM
OVERVIEW

A tax preparer is an individual who prepares, calculates, and files income tax returns on behalf of individuals and businesses. There are several different types of tax preparers, with some having credentials issued by third-party organizations while others are non-credentialed preparers. If you want to find a tax preparer to help you file your taxes, learn about the different types and their credentials so you can get your best tax outcome.

Key Takeaways

  • A tax preparer prepares, calculates, and files your income tax returns, whether you're an individual or a business.
  • Your tax preparer should review your personal information to pinpoint potential tax deductions or credits that could save you money.
  • Credentialed tax preparers, such as certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents (EAs), and tax attorneys, hold official credentials from the IRS or state boards.
  • Non-credentialed tax preparers might be self-taught or have received training from tax preparation stores.

What does a tax preparer do?

A tax preparer is a professional who assists individuals, businesses, and organizations in preparing and filing their tax returns. Their duties can vary based on their qualifications and specific state requirements, but typically include the following:

  • Gathering financial information: Collecting and organizing clients' financial records, including income statements, receipts, expense documentation, and other relevant financial data.
  • Filing returns: Completing and filing state and federal tax returns on behalf of their clients, using applicable forms and ensuring that they comply with tax laws and regulations.
  • Applying deductions and credits: Identifying and applying potential tax deductions and credits that can reduce the amount of taxes owed, ensuring clients pay the minimum legal tax liability.
  • Ensuring compliance: Staying up to date with changes in tax laws and regulations to ensure that all prepared returns comply with current tax codes.
  • Advising clients: Offering advice on tax planning and strategies to maximize tax benefits in future years. This can include recommendations on charitable contributions, retirement planning, and other financial decisions that have tax implications.

Credentialed vs non-credentialed tax preparers

Tax preparers come in a range of types that are mainly distinguished by their credentialing. Some have educational credentials. Some have IRS credentials. Some have state licensing credentials. And some have no credentials at all. Your goal should be to find a tax preparer with the level of credentials that matches the requirements of your filing situation.

Credentialed tax preparers 

Many tax preparers are credentialed professionals who work year-round, primarily on accounting and tax related tasks.

Credentialed tax preparers include:

All three types of tax preparers receive credentials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a state agency.

  • CPAs receive credentials from state boards.
  • EAs receive credentials from the IRS.
  • Tax attorneys are licensed by state bar associations.

Non-credentialed tax preparers

Individuals who prepare taxes without a credential from a third-party organization are non-credentialed preparers. Instead of meeting the requirements of a third-party issuing organization, non-credentialed tax professionals may be self-taught or have received training provided by a tax preparation store where they work on a seasonal basis.

Non-credentialed tax preparers often include:

  • seasonal tax store employees
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteers
  • annual filing season program participants

Tax preparers working or volunteering with these businesses and organizations can carry credentials and prepare tax returns, but they are not required to in most cases. Unlike CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys, many non-credentialed tax preparers only provide tax preparation assistance for a few months of the year during tax season.

Types of credentialed tax preparers

There are substantial differences even among credentialed tax preparers. Generally, the higher their credentials, the greater their expertise, but also the higher their costs. For example, tax attorneys generally have two degrees and are licensed by the state. Their services fill a particular niche, but their costs reflect that. It’s best to match the tax preparer’s credentials as closely as possible to the type of tax situation you face now and what you might face in the future.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)  

As the name suggests, a CPA has been certified by a state or governmental territory as having attained the required skill level in areas of accounting and tax preparation, including:

  • preparing individual, business, trust, estate, non-profit, and gift tax returns
  • providing tax, financial, business, and estate planning services
  • maintaining financial records
  • certifying financial statements
  • conducting audits

To become a CPA, an individual must pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, a comprehensive test given by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and be licensed by the state in which they work.

  • More than forty states require CPAs to pass an ethics exam prior to licensing.
  • All states require CPAs to take continuing education courses to remain up-to-date on changes in accounting and tax laws.

CPAs are authorized to represent their clients on all matters before the IRS, including:

TurboTax Tip:

Knowing the different types of tax preparers and their credentials can help you secure the best possible outcome on your taxes.

Enrolled Agent (EA)

An EA is an individual licensed by the IRS to represent clients in any matter before the IRS. To become an EA, an individual must either:

  • pass the IRS' Special Enrollment Examination
  • if they are a former IRS employee, have certain work experience

Once certified by the IRS, EAs are required to stay up to date on changes in the tax law by completing at least:

  • 16 hours of continuing education each year, including at least 2 hours in ethics
  • 72 hours of continuing education every three-year period

Tax attorney 

A tax attorney is an attorney who specializes in tax law. A tax attorney usually must:

  • earn a college degree and then a law degree
  • pass a state bar exam
  • obtain a state license, which often involves meeting certain standards of character
  • continue their education throughout their careers

Tax attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of tax and business laws to advise clients on the legal aspects of their taxes. They can also prepare their clients' tax returns and are authorized to represent their clients before the IRS on all tax matters.

How to find a tax preparer

Before beginning your search for a tax preparer, take a moment to review your tax preparation needs. Is your return simple or complex? Are you going to itemize deductions because you have home mortgage interest or large medical expenses to deduct? Or will you likely take the Standard Deduction? Or are you unsure? 

If you’re employed by a company and don’t itemize, you might be able to use a less credentialed and experienced tax preparer. If you have multiple streams of income and many deductions, or if you’re filing as a business, you might want to go with a higher level of tax preparer, like a CPA. If you’re dealing with complicated tax law issues, you might consider a tax attorney.

Once you’ve assessed your situation, you’ll want to find a tax preparer who is properly credentialed and registered with the IRS. They’ll need an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) so they can sign your return and file it electronically. They need to be a Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner (FATP) so they can represent you before the IRS on tax matters. You can find such tax preparers in the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. It lists tax preparers in your area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, including PTIN and FATP. You can select to search among:

  • Attorneys
  • Certified Public Accountants
  • Enrolled Agents
  • Enrolled Actuaries
  • Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents
  • Annual Filing Season Program Participants

The IRS search tool allows you to narrow your search by country, zip code, and distance. If you’re looking for a CPA in your area,you can double check to make sure their license is up to date. Just type their name into the CPA Verify tool to confirm that they’re in CPAverify.org’s national database of licensed CPAs. To make sure a tax attorney is active and licensed, you can contact your state's bar association. Many states have websites with searchable databases.

If meeting face-to-face with a local tax preparer isn't a priority for you, consider setting up a virtual meeting. Typically, you can provide your tax preparer with the necessary documents electronically. Many tax preparers now offer live assistance. TurboTax Live Assisted and Live Full Service plans let you consult with a nearby tax preparer online. You can contact them as often as needed through the tax filing process so you can get help in real time.

Whether you want an expert to do your taxes from start to finish, or expert help while you file on your own, TurboTax has expert-backed offerings to meet your needs. With TurboTax Live Assisted, our tax experts help you complete your taxes, fix any mistakes, and explain what's next.

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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

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Examples of situations not included in a simple Form 1040 return:

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  • 1099-Ks: Those filing in TurboTax Free Edition, TurboTax Live Assisted Basic or TurboTax Live Full Service Basic will be able to file a limited IRS Schedule 1 if they have hobby income or personal property rental income reported on a Form 1099-K, and/or a limited IRS Schedule D if they have personal item sales with no gain reported on Form 1099-K. Those filing in TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Live Assisted Deluxe or TurboTax Live Full Service Deluxe will be able to file a limited IRS Schedule D if they have personal item sales income reported on Form 1099-K. If you add other schedules or forms, or need to report other types of income on Schedules 1, D, E, F, or Form 4835 you may be required to upgrade to another TurboTax product.

  • 1099-K Snap and Autofill: Available in mobile app and mobile web only.

  • 1099-NEC Snap and Autofill: Available in TurboTax Premium (formerly Self-Employed) and TurboTax Live Assisted Premium (formerly Self-Employed). Available in mobile app only. Feature available within Schedule C tax form for TurboTax filers with 1099-NEC income.

  • Year-Round Tax Estimator: Available in TurboTax Premium (formerly Self-Employed) and TurboTax Live Assisted Premium (formerly Self-Employed). This product feature is only available after you finish and file in a self-employed TurboTax product.

  • Refer a Friend: Maximum of $500 in total rewards for 20 referrals. See official terms and conditions for more details.

  • Refer your Expert (Intuit's own experts): Maximum of $500 in total rewards for 20 referrals. See official terms and conditions for more details.

  • Refer your Expert (TurboTax Verified Pro): Maximum of $500 in total rewards for 20 referrals. See official terms and conditions for more details.

  • Average Refund Amount: $3,207 is the average refund amount American taxpayers received in the 2024 filing season based upon IRS data as of February 16, 2024 and may not reflect actual refund amount received. Each taxpayer's refund will vary based on their tax situation.

  • More self-employed deductions: based on the median amount of expenses found by TurboTax Premium (formerly Self Employed) customers who synced accounts, imported and categorized transactions compared to manual entry. Individual results may vary.

  • TurboTax Online Business Products: For TurboTax Live Assisted Business and TurboTax Full Service Business, we currently don't support the following tax situations: C-Corps (Form 1120) and entities electing to be treated as a C-Corp, Trust/Estates (Form 1041), Tax Exempt Entities/Non-Profits, returns that require more than 5 state filings, and other issues unrelated to the preparation of a tax return or unrelated to business income/franchise taxes. TurboTax Live Assisted Business is currently available only in AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY.

  • Audit Defense: Audit Defense is a third-party add-on service provided, for an additional fee, by TaxResources, Inc., dba Tax Audit. Audit Defense is included at no added cost with business returns filed with TurboTax Live Business (excluding Sole Proprietor). See Membership Agreements at https://www.intuit.com/legal/terms/ for service terms and conditions.

TURBOTAX DESKTOP GUARANTEES

TurboTax Desktop Individual Returns:

  • 100% Accurate Calculations Guarantee - Individual Returns: If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a TurboTax calculation error, we'll pay you the penalty and interest. Excludes payment plans. This guarantee is good for the lifetime of your personal, individual tax return, which Intuit defines as seven years from the date you filed it with TurboTax Desktop. Excludes TurboTax Desktop Business returns. Additional terms and limitations apply. See License Agreement for details.

  • Maximum Refund Guarantee / Maximum Tax Savings Guarantee - or Your Money Back - Individual Returns: If you get a larger refund or smaller tax due from another tax preparation method by filing an amended return, we'll refund the applicable TurboTax federal and/or state software license purchase price you paid. This guarantee is good for the lifetime of your personal, individual tax return, which Intuit defines as seven years from the date you filed it with TurboTax Desktop. Excludes TurboTax Desktop Business returns. Additional terms and limitations apply. See License Agreement for details.

  • Audit Support Guarantee - Individual Returns: If you receive an audit letter from the IRS or State Department of Revenue based on your 2024 TurboTax individual tax return, we will provide one-on-one question-and-answer support with a tax professional, if requested through our Audit Support Center, for audited individual returns filed with TurboTax Desktop for the current 2024 tax year and, for individual, non-business returns, for the past two tax years (2022, 2023). Audit support is informational only. We will not represent you before the IRS or state tax authority or provide legal advice. If we are not able to connect you to one of our tax professionals, we will refund the applicable TurboTax federal and/or state license purchase price you paid. This guarantee is good for the lifetime of your personal, individual tax return, which Intuit defines as seven years from the date you filed it with TurboTax Desktop. Excludes TurboTax Desktop Business returns. Additional terms and limitations apply. See License Agreement  for details.

  • Satisfaction Guarantee/ 60-Day Money Back Guarantee: If you're not completely satisfied with TurboTax Desktop software, go to refundrequest.intuit.com within 60 days of purchase and follow the process listed to submit a refund request. You must return this product using your license code or order number and dated receipt. Desktop add-on products and services purchased are non-refundable.

TurboTax Desktop Business Returns:

  • 100% Accurate Calculations Guarantee - Business Returns: If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a TurboTax calculation error, we'll pay you the penalty and interest. Excludes payment plans. You are responsible for paying any additional tax liability you may owe. Additional terms and limitations apply. See License Agreement  for details.

  • Maximum Tax Savings Guarantee - Business Returns: If you get a smaller tax due (or larger business tax refund) from another tax preparation method using the same data, TurboTax will refund the applicable TurboTax Business Desktop license purchase price you paid. Additional terms and limitations apply. See License Agreement  for details.

  • Satisfaction Guarantee/ 60-Day Money Back Guarantee: If you're not completely satisfied with TurboTax Desktop software, go to refundrequest.intuit.com within 60 days of purchase and follow the process listed to submit a refund request. You must return this product using your license code or order number and dated receipt. Desktop add-on products and services purchased are non-refundable.

TURBOTAX DESKTOP DISCLAIMERS

  • Installation Requirements: Product download, installation and activation requires an Intuit Account and internet connection. Product limited to one account per license code. You must accept the TurboTax License Agreement to use this product. Not for use by paid preparers.

  • TurboTax Desktop Products: Price includes tax preparation and printing of federal tax returns and free federal e-file of up to 5 federal tax returns. Additional fees apply for e-filing state returns. E-file fees may not apply in certain states, check here for details. Savings and price comparison based on anticipated price increase. Software updates and optional online features require internet connection. Desktop add-on products and services purchased are non-refundable.

  • Fastest Refund Possible: Get your tax refund from the IRS as fast as possible by e-filing and choosing to receive your refund by direct deposit. Tax refund time frames will vary. The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

  • Average Refund Amount: $3,207 is the average refund amount American taxpayers received in the 2024 filing season based upon IRS data as of February 16, 2024 and may not reflect actual refund amount received.

  • TurboTax Technical Support: Customer service and technical support hours and options vary by time of year.

  • Deduct From Your Federal Refund: Individual taxes only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Additional terms apply. A $40 Refund Processing Service fee applies to this payment. method. Prices are subject to change without notice.

  • Data Import: Imports financial data from participating companies; Requires Intuit Account. Quicken and QuickBooks import not available with TurboTax installed on a Mac. Imports from Quicken (2022 and higher) and QuickBooks Desktop (2023 and higher); both Windows only. Quicken import not available for TurboTax Desktop Business. Quicken products provided by Quicken Inc., Quicken import subject to change.

  • Live Tax Advice: Access to tax experts to obtain answers to tax questions and to assist with tax year 2024 return(s) prepared with TurboTax Desktop software. Additional fees apply. Must be purchased and used by October 31, 2025. Excludes TurboTax Desktop Business. See License Agreement for details.

  • Audit Defense: Audit Defense is a third-party add-on service provided, for a fee, by TaxResources, Inc., dba Tax Audit. See Membership Agreements at https://turbotax.intuit.com/corp/softwarelicense/ for service terms and conditions.

All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

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