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JOB REPORT / 13-2082 · 12 TASKS

Tax Preparers.

Can AI do the work of Tax Preparers?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

  • Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures…
  • Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines…
  • Review financial records

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Tax Preparers work. It covers the 12 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

12 of 12 tasks reviewed

We went through all 12 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Tax Preparers actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

  1. TASK 01

    Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.

    AI DOES

    Searches tax codes, summarizes relevant rules, and flags applicable procedures fast

    YOU DO

    Apply judgment to the client's unique facts and take responsibility for the filing

  2. TASK 02

    Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.

    AI DOES

    Runs calculations, checks math, and auto-fills standard tax form entries

    YOU DO

    Review edge cases, confirm client data is correct, and sign off on accuracy

  3. TASK 03

    Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.

    AI DOES

    Scans financial records, flags relevant income and expense categories, and suggests which tax forms may apply

    YOU DO

    Verify unusual entries, ask clients clarifying questions, and apply professional judgment to edge cases

  4. TASK 04

    Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.

    AI DOES

    Scans return complexity, counts forms, and calculates fee estimates from a pricing schedule

    YOU DO

    Use your judgment on unusual situations, client history, and final pricing decisions

  5. TASK 05

    Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.

    AI DOES

    Scans tax codes, flags eligible deductions and credits, and checks for missed adjustments

    YOU DO

    Verify each client's unique facts and take responsibility for the final return

  6. TASK 06

    Schedule appointments with clients.

    AI DOES

    Sends reminders, finds open slots, and books appointments automatically

    YOU DO

    Read client needs and handle tricky scheduling conflicts with care

  7. TASK 07

    Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.

    AI DOES

    Suggests interview questions, flags missing info, and summarizes client responses

    YOU DO

    Listen carefully, build client trust, and spot unusual details that change the tax picture

  8. TASK 08SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

    AI DOES

    Fills forms and calculates deductions from data

    YOU DO

    Review for errors and tricky situations

    About this analysis

    47% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  9. TASK 09SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.

    AI DOES

    Generates tax guidance and form instructions

    YOU DO

    Explain complex situations with empathy

    About this analysis

    17% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  10. TASK 10SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.

    AI DOES

    Explains basic tax rules and common scenarios

    YOU DO

    Interpret complex cases and guide strategy

    About this analysis

    9% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  11. TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.

    AI DOES

    Flags potential errors and suggests corrections

    YOU DO

    Decide which flags matter most

    About this analysis

    0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  12. TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.

    AI DOES

    Calculates scenarios and suggests tax strategies

    YOU DO

    Build trust and tailor advice to goals

    About this analysis

    0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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Data sources and attribution

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. rtwoai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Wage and employment figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025). Job outlook is from the BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–34. BLS data are in the public domain. BLS has not reviewed or endorsed this page.

Task collaboration data is from the Anthropic Economic Index, release 2025-03-27, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Anthropic has not reviewed or endorsed this page.

How we describe AI use in each task is our own characterization, not a measurement of whether AI can replace this job. Microsoft note that their metrics "should not be misconstrued or misrepresented as measuring the ability of AI to replace jobs," and that there is more to an occupation than the sum of its tasks.

Can AI do the work of Tax Preparers? — rtwoai