Tax Preparers
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
How AI Impacts Each Task
12 tasks analyzed
Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
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.
Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
Review financial records such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
Schedule appointments with clients.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 12% | |
| Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 12% | |
| Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 15% | |
| Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 12% | |
| Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion. | 46.1Observed | 33.4% | 8% | |
| Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures. | 35.08Observed | 63.2% | 8% | |
| Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 8% | |
| Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies. | 49.1Observed | 34.6% | 6% | |
| Review financial records such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 8% | |
| Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients. | 50Observed | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Schedule appointments with clients. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Tax Preparers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
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We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis