Tax preparers
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Tax preparers prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses. The role reports a median annual salary of $50,560 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows high AI exposure (0.79 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include value-added tax law, tax legislation, inform on fiscal duties, advise on tax planning, inspect tax returns.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £50,062 a year for Chartered and certified accountants (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £38,696 to £68,056 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2421). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Tax preparers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification Degree in commerce, law, banking, business administration or auditing, or CA/CS/CMA[1]
- 2 · Registration Enrol as a GST Practitioner on the GST portal[1]
- 3 · Entrance exam Pass NACIN's exam to confirm GST Practitioner enrolment[2]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- GST portal — Enrolling as a GST Practitioner (FAQs) (read on 2026-09-27)
- NACIN — Examination for confirmation of enrolment of GST Practitioners (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Tax preparers do?
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
How much does Tax preparers earn?
The median annual salary for Tax preparers in the US is $50,560.
What is the job outlook for Tax preparers?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 90,600 workers.
How do I become tax preparers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Tax preparers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include value-added tax law, tax legislation, inform on fiscal duties, advise on tax planning, inspect tax returns, prepare tax returns forms. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Tax preparers?
Our AI-durability model gives Tax preparers a score of 0.79 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Tax preparers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.