How to Become a Seasonal Tax Preparer: PTIN, Training and Pay
To become a seasonal tax preparer, get an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), complete a basic tax preparation course, check whether your state has its own registration rules, and apply to tax firms in the fall, before the IRS filing season opens early in the new year. No degree is required for most entry-level seasonal roles. The median wage for tax preparers was $26.40 an hour in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here is the full route, with the requirements that actually apply.
What a Seasonal Tax Preparer Does
Seasonal preparers interview clients, collect documents such as W-2s and 1099s, enter information into professional tax software, check for credits and deductions, and explain the return to the client before it is filed. Most seasonal roles focus on individual returns, many of them straightforward. More complex work, such as business returns or representing clients in audits, usually goes to credentialed staff.
The work is heavily concentrated in the first months of the year, which is what makes it seasonal: busy from the opening of the IRS filing season early in the year through the April filing deadline, then quiet.
Tax Preparer Pay: The BLS Numbers
These figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for tax preparers (occupation code 13-2082), May 2025.
| Tax preparers, May 2025 | Value |
|---|---|
| Employment | 76,480 |
| Median hourly wage | $26.40 |
| Median annual wage | $54,920 |
| Mean annual wage | $60,930 |
| 10th percentile (annual) | $33,760 |
| 90th percentile (annual) | $99,270 |
Two cautions. First, annual figures assume year-round work; a seasonal preparer working three or four months will earn a fraction of them. Second, the OEWS survey does not include the self-employed, so preparers who run their own practice are not in these numbers. Use the hourly median as your best guide to seasonal pay, then check local job postings.
Step 1: Get Your PTIN
The IRS is clear on this point: anyone who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for compensation must have a valid PTIN before preparing returns (IRS PTIN requirements). For the 2027 filing season you need a 2027 PTIN. The IRS lists the application and renewal fee as $18.75, and says it is non-refundable.
Applying online is fast. PTINs must be renewed every year, so if you do one season and come back the next, budget for renewal.
Step 2: Get Trained
There is no single federal licensing exam for basic return preparers. In practice, your training comes from one of three places:
- A tax preparation course from a firm you want to work for. Some firms run their own training for new seasonal staff, so ask about it when you apply.
- An independent tax education provider. Useful if you want to work for a small local practice, or if your state requires approved education.
- Volunteer programs. The IRS says VITA and TCE volunteers receive training, online or in a classroom, to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families. A season of volunteering builds real experience before you take paid work.
The IRS Annual Filing Season Program
The IRS Annual Filing Season Program is voluntary. According to the IRS, it recognises non-credentialed preparers who aspire to a higher level of professionalism, and participation can make you eligible for the IRS public directory of preparers and for limited representation rights for your clients. It is worth considering in your second season, once you know you want to continue.
Step 3: Check Your State's Rules
Federal rules are the floor. Some states add their own. California is the best-known example: to prepare returns for pay there as a non-credentialed preparer, you register with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC). According to CTEC, a registered preparer completes 60 hours of qualifying education, holds an IRS PTIN, maintains a $5,000 surety bond, passes a California Department of Justice background check, and completes 20 hours of continuing education each year, with renewals due by October 31.
The difference between regulated and unregulated titles matters to clients too. This explainer on which California preparer titles are actually regulated is a useful read for anyone entering the field there, because it shows what clients are told to check.
Step 4: Apply at the Right Time
Seasonal tax hiring runs ahead of the filing season. Firms typically train in the fall and finalise staffing before returns start arriving in the new year. If you are reading this in November or December, you are at the late end of the window: apply now, and look for postings that say no prior tax experience is required. Common entry titles include seasonal tax preparer, tax associate and tax processing assistant.
What helps your application:
- Customer-facing experience (retail, banking, hospitality)
- Comfort with numbers and software
- Evidence of accuracy and confidentiality in past roles
- Availability for evenings and weekends in February to April
Skills That Make a Good Seasonal Preparer
Tax knowledge can be taught in a course. The habits that make someone good at the job take longer to build, and they are worth highlighting when you apply:
- Accuracy under time pressure. Peak weeks bring a steady line of clients, and small data-entry errors become real problems for the taxpayer.
- Clear explanation. Clients want to know why their refund changed from last year, in plain language.
- Confidentiality. You will handle Social Security numbers, income records and bank details. Any past role where you handled sensitive data is relevant.
- Knowing when to escalate. A good seasonal preparer recognises returns beyond their training and passes them to a credentialed colleague rather than guessing.
If you have these from another job, such as banking, insurance or customer service, say so in your application. They are often what separates two applicants who completed the same course.
Is It Worth It? Who Seasonal Tax Work Suits
Seasonal tax preparation suits people who want concentrated extra income early in the year, career changers testing accounting before committing, retirees with a finance background, and students in accounting programs. It is a weaker fit if you need stable year-round income from a single job.
It can also be a stepping stone. Preparers who enjoy the work often move on to the IRS Enrolled Agent credential or into bookkeeping and accounting roles. If you are considering that bigger move, our realistic assessment of accounting as a second career compares the options, and the accountants and auditors career page shows the longer-term pay data.
A Season-by-Season Plan
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| September to November | Take a tax course; apply for seasonal roles |
| November to January | Get or renew your PTIN; complete any state registration |
| Filing season to April | Work the season; note which return types you handled |
| May to August | Decide whether to continue; consider the Annual Filing Season Program |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you become a tax preparer with no experience?
Yes. Many seasonal roles train new hires and do not require prior tax experience. You will still need a PTIN from the IRS, and in some states, such as California, you must also complete state-approved education and register before preparing returns for pay.
How much does a seasonal tax preparer make per hour?
The BLS median hourly wage for tax preparers was $26.40 in May 2025. Seasonal and entry-level roles may pay less than the median; check postings in your area.
How much does a PTIN cost?
The IRS lists the PTIN application and renewal fee as $18.75. It is non-refundable and must be renewed each year.
Do I need a license to prepare taxes?
There is no general federal license for basic preparers, but you must have a PTIN. Some states have their own requirements; California requires registration with CTEC, including 60 hours of qualifying education and a $5,000 bond.
When do tax firms hire seasonal preparers?
Mostly in the fall, with training before the filing season opens early in the year. Late applicants can still find openings in December and early January, especially at smaller local practices.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career advice. Occupational data sourced from O*NET and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.