Tax Preparers
SOC: 13-2082.00 · Job Zone 3 (Medium preparation)
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
AI Impact Summary
Tax Preparers faces high AI displacement risk with a score of 53/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2034 and 2041. Of 11 analyzed tasks, 5 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$50,560
per year
Mean Wage
$58,860
per year
Employment
74K
workers
Wage Range
$30,500 - $96,240
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 20.6%
Skill 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 (7)
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.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Tax Preparers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
11 tasks analyzed
Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
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.
Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
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.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 10% |
| Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum. | Non-Routine Analytical | 75 | 57.0 | 15% |
| Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 25% |
| Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables. | Routine Cognitive | 95 | 87.2 | 15% |
| Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 5% |
| Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 5% |
| Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns. | Non-Routine Analytical | 75 | 57.0 | 5% |
| Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 2% |
| Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 35 | 29.0 | 5% |
| Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 3% |
| Review financial records such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 10% |
Community Assessment
Do you agree with this risk score?
Related Jobs
Chief Executives
11-1011.00
General and Operations Managers
11-1021.00
Advertising and Promotions Managers
11-2011.00
Marketing Managers
11-2021.00
Sales Managers
11-2022.00
Computer and Information Systems Managers
11-3021.00
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.