Seasonal Tax Preparer

Seasonal Tax Preparer | $40–$55/Hr | No Tax Season Burnout!

Crystal Lake Tax & Financial

$40–$55 per hour End-of-Season Bonus

February 1 – April 16, 2027 | 20–40 Hours Per Week | In Person

Love Preparing Taxes, But Tired of Tax Season?

What if you could enjoy tax season again?

Imagine preparing tax returns for an established group of clients, working normal business hours, having your weekends free, and actually enjoying the people you work with.

No 60-hour workweeks. No endless walk-ins. No clients hovering over your desk while you prepare their returns. No pressure to sell additional services.

And yes, the owner buys everyone lunch on Fridays!

At Crystal Lake Tax & Financial, we believe tax season doesn't have to mean sacrificing your personal life.

We're an established, independent financial planning and wealth management firm looking for experienced, personable tax preparers to join our team for the 2027 tax season.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Excellent Pay: $40–$55 per hour, depending on experience.
• Attainable Bonus: Earn an additional end-of-season bonus based on achievable performance goals.
• Normal Business Hours: Monday–Friday, approximately 9 AM–5 PM. Saturdays are optional.
• Flexible Schedule: Work 20–40 hours per week based on your availability.
• No Walk-In Traffic: Every client appointment is scheduled in advance.
• No New Client Prospecting: Prepare returns exclusively for existing financial advisory clients.
• No Clients Hovering Over You: More than 80% of our tax returns are handled through document drop-offs or secure uploads.
• Organized Workflow: Our established process allows you to focus on preparing accurate returns rather than managing a chaotic waiting room.
• Great Team Environment: Friendly colleagues, a relaxed professional atmosphere, and Friday lunches provided by the owner.
• Work-Life Balance: When the workday ends, go home and enjoy your evening!

What Makes Our Tax Practice Different?

Unlike a traditional retail tax preparation office, we don't serve walk-in customers or the general public.

Our tax clients are existing financial advisory clients who already have an ongoing relationship with our firm.

Here's how our process works:

1. Clients provide their tax documents through a scheduled drop-off or secure online upload.

2. You review the documents, confirm any missing information, and prepare their tax returns using our tax preparation software.

3. Our team coordinates the return delivery, generally within 5–7 days of receiving complete documentation.

4. Clients pick up their completed returns at our front desk or receive them through our secure online portal.

The result? You can concentrate on doing excellent tax preparation work without the constant interruptions and distractions common at traditional tax offices.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing accurate federal and state individual income tax returns (primarily Form 1040), including Schedule D and Schedule E.
• Reviewing client-provided tax documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Communicating with clients by phone or during scheduled appointments to clarify tax information.
• Identifying potential tax-saving opportunities and communicating them to our internal tax and financial advisory team.
• Preparing returns involving investment income, retirement distributions, Social Security, capital gains, rental properties, and other common tax situations.
• Preparing S corporation returns (Form 1120-S), if experienced.
• Collaborating with our tax and client service teams to deliver an outstanding client experience.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is both technically capable and genuinely enjoys working with people.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of professional income tax preparation experience.
• Experience preparing individual federal and state income tax returns.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Comfortable communicating with clients by phone and in person.
• Ability to work independently while being part of a supportive team.
• A positive attitude, dependable work habits, and a service-first mindset.
• Ability to work on-site during the 2027 tax season.

Preferred, But Not Required:

• Experience using Drake Tax software.
• CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.
• Experience preparing S corporation returns (Form 1120-S).
• Experience with retirement-related tax matters, investment income, and tax planning.

The Details

Position: Seasonal Tax Preparer

Employment Period: February 1 – April 16, 2027

Compensation: $40–$55 per hour, based on experience

Bonus: Additional attainable end-of-season performance bonus

Hours: 20–40 per week, depending on availability

Schedule: Monday–Friday, normal business hours; optional Saturdays

Location: In person at Crystal Lake Tax & Financial

A Great Fit for the Right Person

Maybe you're an experienced tax preparer who loves the profession but is tired of the traditional tax-season schedule.

Maybe you're a retired or semi-retired CPA or Enrolled Agent who wants to stay active professionally without working full-time.

Or maybe you're simply looking for a better environment where your experience is valued and your time is respected.

If you're knowledgeable, dependable, enjoy helping people, and appreciate a workplace where people actually like coming to work, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today and discover what a better tax season can look like!

Pay: $40.00 - $55.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Experience:

• Tax Preparation: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPA or Enrolled Agent (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40 - $55