FAQs: Working as a remote tax preparer

As we talk to people who are interested in joining Intuit as a TurboTax Live expert, we hear many common questions about what the remote tax preparer experience is like. So we’re answering the top 10 questions here to help you decide whether this could be the right opportunity for you.

How to work as a remote tax preparer
How to work as a remote tax preparer

1. What experience and credentials do I need?

Different roles have different requirements:

For the Intuit Tax Associate role, you need: 

  • Minimum 2 seasons of paid Tax Preparation experience, with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year required
  • Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • You possess excellent customer service skills, and you are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes
  • PTIN required

We also consider any volunteer tax preparation experience. This experience helps ensure that, after additional expert training with us, you can provide our TurboTax Live customers with the quality service they need.

For the credentialed Tax Expert role, you need: 

At least one of the following: 

  • Minimum 2 seasons of paid Tax Preparation experience, with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year required
  • Must possess an active, unrestricted credential: EA, CPA, or Practicing Attorney with strong tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws
  • Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • You possess excellent customer service skills, and you are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes
  • Active PTIN required

We’re always looking for remote tax preparers who have bilingual proficiency in Spanish in the U.S. or French in Canada.

Prior experience in tax preparation for a tax practice or in a retail setting is also a plus.

If you have bookkeeping experience for small businesses, you may also be interested in a year-round role up to 40 hours a week with QuickBooks Live.

2. What are the benefits of joining Intuit as a TurboTax Live professional?

You can work remotely, earn extra income, and choose from work schedules that work best for you. Depending on minimum hours worked, you can also get benefits such as a 401K savings plan with Intuit matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, paid sick leave, Intuit-provided E&O insurance, product discounts, and a free personal tax return through TurboTax.

3. How many hours do seasonal tax preparers work?

To make sure that you’re in the rhythm of using our tools and taking calls, we would look for you to work a minimum of 20 hours a week. However, during the peaks in January and April, we need even more help, so you may have the option to work additional hours at those times.

4. What is the working season for tax professionals?

We have three peaks during the year for tax preparation:

  • The first peak is at the end of January when tax filing opens.
  • The second is in April around the tax filing deadline.
  • The third is in October for those who take tax extensions.

The typical working season is from early January to the end of April. Returning experts often have some choice about when they start work, so some can opt to begin even earlier than January.

5. How much training would I need to complete?

Training starts on your first day of employment and takes about 10 days to complete — including two full weekends, when TurboTax customers frequently work on their returns. There are both self-led and live remote sessions, and you will be paid during this period.

After the training period, you will get to jump into the role and work directly with customers.

6. What equipment does Intuit provide?

On your start date, you’ll receive a shipment with everything you need to serve customers:

  • A dedicated laptop with all the required software installed
  • A headset for communicating with customers
  • A webcam
  • An approved backdrop for video calls that attaches to the back of your chair
  • A coffee mug, of course!

There’s no cost to you to obtain or use any of Intuit’s equipment — it’s all provided as part of your employment. And you can contact Intuit support if you need help getting up and running. Equipment must be returned if you decide to leave Intuit.

7. How are TurboTax Live professionals paid?

Our Intuit tax associates are paid hourly. We offer competitive rates based on the state where you live. You’re also eligible for an end-of-season bonus based on performance. If you are bilingual in Spanish in the U.S. or bilingual in French in Canada, we offer a language differential.

8. Can Intuit help me earn my Enrolled Agent (EA) credential?

We’d love to support you in your career. Earning your EA credential opens the doors at TurboTax Live for promotional opportunities to a credentialed Tax Expert or equivalent role.

If you are hired as a Tax Associate, you can participate in our Intuit EA Credential Assistance Program. Intuit covers the cost of the program and provides the study materials from Fast Forward Academy, as well as a mentor to help you with questions. The EA program is an optional benefit for your personal development.

9. What if a customer asks a question I don’t know the answer to?

Don’t worry. Help is never more than a keystroke away. Within the TurboTax Live team, we use a messaging platform, where you can type in your questions while talking to a customer. Your lead, your manager, and the TurboTax Live expert network are there to provide answers. 

We also have Aid and Assist channels where you can get resources and even have someone look over your shoulder at the customer’s return in real time when necessary.

Given the wide range of customers and tax situations you’ll encounter, we don’t expect any one person to have all the answers. Many of our experts say that learning new things is the best part of the job!

10. Are there opportunities for year-round, full-time work?

Yes! The TurboTax Live team offers full-time tax preparer jobs, management roles, and positions to work on special projects, based on business needs. Seasonal employees can also apply for other full-time roles at Intuit, such as Bookkeepers for QuickBooks Live.

And there you have it: the top 10 most frequently asked questions about working as a remote tax professional with TurboTax Live.

If you’re ready for the next step, you can review and apply to current openings, below.

If you’re interested but not ready to apply, join our Talent Community to stay in touch.

Tax Associate (Remote/Seasonal)

  • Minimum 2 seasons of paid Tax Preparation experience, with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year required
  • Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • You possess excellent customer service skills, and you are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes
  • PTIN required

Credentialed Tax Expert (Remote/Seasonal)

  • Minimum 2 seasons of paid Tax Preparation experience, with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year required
  • Must possess an active, unrestricted credential: EA, CPA, or Practicing Attorney with strong tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws
  • Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • You possess excellent customer service skills, and you are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes
  • Active PTIN required

Business Tax Associate (Remote/Seasonal)

  • Minimum 3 or more years of experience preparing federal and state business tax returns (1065 and/or 1120-S) for at least 20 clients/customers per season for compensation 
  • Must possess or be able to obtain any related State licenses, certificates, permits or bonds
  • Commit to a minimum schedule of at least 20 hours/week (minimum 4 hour shift increments) throughout the tax season
  • Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • Active PTIN required

Business Tax Expert (Remote/Seasonal)

  • Minimum 3 or more years of experience preparing federal and state business tax returns (1065 and/or 1120-S) for at least 20 clients/customers per season for compensation 
  • Must possess an active, unrestricted credential: EA, CPA, or Practicing Attorney with strong business tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws
  • Must possess or be able to obtain any related State licenses, certificates, permits or bonds
  • Commit to a minimum schedule of at least 20 hours/week (minimum 4 hour shift increments) throughout the tax season
  • Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner
  • Active PTIN required

QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping Expert (Remote/Year Round)

  • 3+ years of bookkeeping and/or accounting experience
  • 3+ years of QuickBooks Online experience
  • Credentials/Certifications: QuickBooks Online Certification Required (QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor)
  • Experience supporting Payroll, Sales Tax, or Tax Preparation 
  • Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a way that is professional, friendly and reassuring

QuickBooks Live Sr. Associate (Remote/Year Round)

  • 1-3 years of bookkeeping and/or accounting experience
  • Minimum 1 year of QuickBooks Online experience
  • Credentials/Certifications: QuickBooks Online Certification Required (QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor)
  • Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a way that is professional, friendly and reassuring