Career Guide
A straightforward, step-by-step path from complete beginner to paid tax preparer — PTIN registration, training, e-filing, state rules, and your first clients.
Reserve My Free SeatThere is no college degree requirement to prepare tax returns for pay. You need to be at least 18, have a Social Security number, and be current on your own federal tax filings and payments — the IRS reviews your tax compliance when you apply for credentials.
A Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is legally required for anyone who prepares or helps prepare a federal tax return for compensation. You apply online through the IRS Tax Professional PTIN System, and the PTIN must be renewed each year.
The PTIN makes you legal; training makes you competent and profitable. Focus on individual returns first — filing status, dependents, credits like the EITC and Child Tax Credit, income documents, and self-employment (Schedule C) — then add small business returns as you grow.
Most states have no separate license for tax preparers, but a handful do. California, Oregon, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut have their own registration, education, or exam requirements. Always check your state's current rules before you take a client.
An Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) lets you e-file returns through the IRS e-file program. You apply free through IRS e-Services; it involves a suitability check and can take several weeks, so start early — well before January.
Pick professional tax software that supports the returns you plan to file, then handle the business side: register your entity, get an EIN, open a business bank account, set your pricing, and put a simple client intake and document process in place.
Your first season is usually built on people who already trust you: family, coworkers, church and community groups, small business owners in your network. Consistency, referrals, and year-round contact are what turn a seasonal side hustle into a real business.
Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the IRS and your state licensing board before you begin taking clients.
No. Federal law does not require a degree or accounting background to prepare returns for pay. You need a PTIN, solid training, and — in a few states — state registration.
The PTIN is often issued the same day you apply. Training timelines vary, and an EFIN can take several weeks, so many people give themselves two to three months before filing season.
Costs typically include your training, professional software, and business setup. The IRS PTIN and EFIN applications themselves are the smaller pieces of the picture.
Yes. Many preparers start during filing season alongside a full-time job, then expand into year-round services like bookkeeping and business filings.
Join our free live training with Erica Nelson and get walked through launching your tax business — live at 3:00 PM Central Time on Zoom.
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