Your work. Your records.
Tax Preparer Workplace Records Guide
Tax preparation work may be measured by completed returns even when missing information or review holds affect progress. For an employment review, explain the assignment and approval process without retaining the financial material entrusted to the practice.
Call now(800) 800-5555Free initial case evaluation. Representation depends on work state and case eligibility. This guide explains record preparation; it does not determine whether a legal claim exists.
A record map for your role
What to organize first
Work stage
List whether your responsibility was preparation, review or another step in the return process.
Missing information
Record when required input was requested and when the assignment could proceed.
Season hours
Compare your own schedule and time entries with preparation, review and closing duties performed.
Start with the work you actually do
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
O*NET classifies this occupation as Tax Preparers (13-2082.00). Its description covers a typical occupation, not every workplace or individual job. It does not establish employee status, overtime eligibility or employer misconduct.
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.Source task 7358 · updated 08/2025
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.Source task 7360 · updated 08/2025
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.Source task 7363 · updated 08/2025
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.Source task 7361 · updated 08/2025
A reference point for your pay records
May 2025 wage estimates by state
Compare your pay records with published BLS estimates for Tax Preparers (SOC 13-2082). These describe an occupation across employers. They are not a required pay rate, an overtime calculation, or evidence of discrimination or unpaid wages.
Select your work state to see its published pay range. No personal pay information is requested or sent.
The 25th and 75th percentiles mark the middle half of the estimated wage distribution; the median is its midpoint. Actual pay can differ with experience, employer, location and duties. Hourly and annual figures are shown as published, without converting one into the other.
All published state estimates for this occupation
| State | Hourly 25th | Hourly median | Hourly 75th | Annual median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $12.06 | $16.00 | $17.57 | $33,280 |
| Alaska | $19.44 | $29.98 | $55.85 | $62,360 |
| Arizona | $20.04 | $21.52 | $37.18 | $44,770 |
| Arkansas | $14.20 | $16.85 | $20.00 | $35,040 |
| Connecticut | $17.71 | $19.77 | $29.16 | $41,130 |
| Delaware | $18.90 | $24.98 | $28.11 | $51,960 |
| Florida | $17.20 | $23.57 | $30.52 | $49,020 |
| Georgia | $17.81 | $23.72 | $30.68 | $49,330 |
| Hawaii | $14.42 | $16.69 | $21.50 | $34,720 |
| Indiana | $18.39 | $21.98 | $29.64 | $45,710 |
| Iowa | $18.74 | $25.80 | $35.42 | $53,660 |
| Kansas | $17.28 | $22.74 | $32.07 | $47,300 |
| Kentucky | $13.41 | $17.60 | $29.44 | $36,620 |
| Louisiana | $13.56 | $18.63 | $27.07 | $38,740 |
| Maine | $21.24 | $22.67 | $25.18 | $47,150 |
| Michigan | $19.34 | $22.31 | $29.64 | $46,400 |
| Minnesota | $21.27 | $28.46 | $36.96 | $59,200 |
| Mississippi | $16.52 | $24.36 | $36.86 | $50,670 |
| Missouri | $17.11 | $30.18 | $47.42 | $62,780 |
| Montana | $22.82 | $30.33 | $39.83 | $63,080 |
| Nebraska | $17.81 | $20.68 | $24.67 | $43,010 |
| New Hampshire | $20.92 | $29.51 | $38.57 | $61,370 |
| New Mexico | $13.89 | $18.30 | $22.33 | $38,060 |
| New York | $27.42 | $34.54 | $48.59 | $71,850 |
| North Carolina | $21.07 | $23.14 | $35.02 | $48,130 |
| North Dakota | $21.09 | $27.43 | $37.72 | $57,060 |
| Ohio | $18.24 | $23.57 | $27.49 | $49,020 |
| Oklahoma | $14.20 | $20.53 | $24.44 | $42,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $18.76 | $29.46 | $39.16 | $61,270 |
| Rhode Island | $25.00 | $27.73 | $28.74 | $57,680 |
| South Dakota | $21.20 | $25.26 | $30.70 | $52,530 |
| Tennessee | $14.18 | $17.59 | $28.42 | $36,600 |
| Texas | $17.04 | $22.82 | $35.60 | $47,460 |
| Utah | $23.18 | $32.08 | $38.73 | $66,720 |
| Virginia | $19.69 | $28.13 | $33.88 | $58,520 |
| West Virginia | $14.34 | $17.25 | $19.34 | $35,880 |
| Wisconsin | $17.43 | $21.32 | $26.76 | $44,340 |
| Wyoming | $22.82 | $27.88 | $41.94 | $57,990 |
“Not published” preserves unavailable or suppressed source cells. “Above reporting limit” preserves a top-coded source value without inventing a number. A missing state estimate does not establish service eligibility. The data describe wage and salary employment; they do not measure self-employment income.
Source: BLS May 2025 state workbook · OEWS tables · BLS technical notes. Use your own schedule, pay statement and compensation terms to identify the question you want reviewed.
Describe the assigned return work
Record the type and volume of work assigned in nonidentifying terms and when required information was available. Note whether you prepared, checked or finalized the work. Keep requests for missing information separate from time available for preparation.
Trace review and correction
Describe who reviewed the work and whether a change reflected new client information or a correction. Record the date and stated reason for any performance feedback. Do not include deductions, income figures or tax advice in your employment notes.
Keep taxpayer data protected
Do not copy returns, identification documents, financial statements or filing credentials. Use your own pay records and permitted workload messages. Identify the official workflow record and its custodian if an authorized reviewer needs to examine timing.
Choose your next step
Review the workplace retaliation guide, unpaid wages guide, or discrimination guide if those concerns fit your experience. A job title alone does not establish a claim.
Call now(800) 800-5555Current service-state coverage
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY. Eligibility is evaluated individually; this list does not promise representation.
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