Individual Tax Preparer - U.S. Federal and State Returns

About the role

A tax firm is looking for an Individual Tax Preparer to help prepare U.S. federal and state individual income-tax returns under the supervision and review of experienced tax professionals. The ideal candidate has practical experience preparing or assembling Form 1040 returns and knows how to organize client information, spot missing documents and flag issues for review. A CPA or Enrolled Agent credential is not required.

Key responsibilities

• Organize client tax documents, prior-year returns, questionnaires and source information
• Prepare or input individual tax-return data under established firm procedures
• Assist with federal Form 1040 returns and applicable state returns, handling wages, interest, dividends, retirement income, brokerage activity, rental income, self-employment income, education expenses and itemized deductions
• Roll forward prior-year data, reconcile documents to the return and investigate inconsistencies
• Prepare clear questions for missing information or unusual transactions and maintain organized workpapers
• Address reviewer notes accurately and document changes
• Follow the firm's tax software, e-file, security and quality-control procedures and protect confidential taxpayer information

Required profile

• 1-3 years of hands-on U.S. individual tax-preparation or tax-support experience
• Familiarity with Form 1040 preparation and common federal tax forms and schedules
• Ability to read prior-year returns and identify material changes or missing information
• Clear written and spoken English for communicating with the review team
• Willingness to work extended or adjusted hours during tax season

Required skills

• Tax software such as CCH Axcess, ProSystem fx, UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake, ProSeries or comparable platforms
• Basic understanding of federal and state individual income-tax concepts
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow documented review procedures
• Excel or Google Sheets for organizing and reconciling information

Preferred: experience with state returns (including nonresident or part-year), Schedule C, Schedule E, Schedule D, Form 8949, K-1 reporting and estimated-tax payments; experience with tax organizers, document portals, e-signature processes and e-file checklists; seasonal experience in a U.S. CPA firm or tax-preparation practice.