If your only revenue comes from January through April, you're leaving money on the table. Here are five services that turn a seasonal practice into a year-round business. 1. Bookkeeping Your small business clients need…
Google Business Profile for Tax Preparers: A Setup Guide
If you do one thing for your online presence, set up a Google Business Profile. It's free, it takes 20 minutes, and it's the single most effective way to show up when people in your…
How to Write an Engagement Letter for Tax Preparation Clients
An engagement letter is a written agreement between you and your client that defines what you're doing, what you're not doing, what the client is responsible for, and how much it costs. Every client, every…
Do Tax Preparers Need Errors and Omissions Insurance?
Legally required? In most states, no. Necessary? Absolutely. What E&O Insurance Covers Errors and omissions insurance (also called professional liability insurance) protects you when a client claims your work caused them financial harm. In tax…
What Is Circular 230 and How Does It Apply to Tax Preparers?
Most tax preparation training programs skip this topic entirely. That's a problem, because Circular 230 establishes the professional rules you're operating under whether you know about them or not. What It Is Circular 230 is…
The Accounting Talent Shortage: What It Means If You’re Starting a Tax Practice
The accounting profession is losing people faster than it's replacing them. If you're considering a career in tax preparation, that fact shapes your opportunity. The Numbers Over 300,000 accountants and auditors have left the profession…
Schedule C Basics Every New Tax Preparer Should Know
If you're going to build a tax practice, you need to be comfortable with Schedule C. It's one of the most common forms you'll handle and one of the most profitable return types for your…
Marketing Your Tax Prep Business on a Zero-Dollar Budget
You don't need paid advertising to build a tax practice. Most of the best marketing for new preparers is free. Google Business Profile Set this up on day one. It's free, and it's the single…
How Long Does It Take to Start a Tax Prep Business from Scratch?
The realistic timeline from decision to first client is 8 to 12 weeks. Here's how that breaks down. Week 1: Credentials Apply for your PTIN (15 minutes, same-day approval in most cases). Apply for your…
What H&R Block’s Tax Course Teaches You (and What It Doesn’t)
H&R Block's Income Tax Course costs $149 and runs about 40 hours. For what it is, it's a solid introduction to basic return preparation. Here's an honest assessment. What It Covers The course teaches the…