U.S. Tax Preparer, Small Business Returns

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Prepare federal and relevant state tax returns for small business clients, including 1040, Schedule C, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 forms.

• Review client documents, bookkeeping records, year-end financial statements, prior-year filings, and supporting schedules prior to return preparation.

• Identify any missing information, discrepancies, unsupported balances, or bookkeeping issues before the return undergoes review.

• Detect bookkeeping problems that impact the accuracy of tax returns, make straightforward supported adjustments as needed, and document or escalate any necessary corrections prior to filing.

• Interact directly with clients when additional information is required and conduct draft review calls to explain the return, balance due/refund, approval requirements, and next steps in clear terms.

• Prepare or assist with returns involving R&D credits / Form 6765 where applicable, and highlight any missing documentation or items that require specialist or advisor review.

• Provide clear status updates, respond quickly to internal and client-facing communications, and proactively identify blockers or potential deadline risks.

• Document workpapers, assumptions, adjustments, open inquiries, client conversations, and subsequent steps in a clear manner.

• Resolve routine tax preparation inquiries independently by utilizing tax knowledge, research, and internal resources; escalate only when it involves advisory matters, legal sensitivities, complexity, or falls outside scope.

• Address preparation-related errors or omissions swiftly when flagged by reviewer feedback.

⛳️ Requirements

• Active IRS PTIN.

• Proven experience in U.S. tax preparation, particularly with small business returns.

• Familiarity with at least some of the following: 1040, Schedule C, 1120-S, 1065, and 1120.

• Ability to review financial statements, year-end financials, bookkeeping records, general ledgers, income/expense reports, and supporting documentation.

• Skill in recognizing when bookkeeping issues or adjustments impact the accuracy of tax returns.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort in direct conversations with clients via phone or video.

• Capability to explain tax concepts in a clear, calm, and empathetic manner to individuals without tax expertise.

• Strong computer proficiency and ability to work efficiently across various systems in a remote setting.

• Independent ownership, responsiveness, follow-through, and sound judgment within established workflows.

• Willingness to complete BenchTax’s technical assessment in writing, as well as a customer-communication evaluation.

• CPA or Enrolled Agent designation is preferred.

• Experience with Big 4 firms: Ernst Young, KPMG, Deloitte, & PWC.

• Familiarity with R&D credits and Form 6765, including qualified research expenses, payroll tax credit considerations, and substantiation requirements.

• Experience in preparing returns for startups, software firms, engineering companies, product-development businesses, or other clients heavily involved in R&D.

• Experience conducting draft review calls and making or suggesting adjusting journal entries.

• Proficient in Drake Tax or similar professional tax software.

• Background in remote tax, accounting, bookkeeping, or client-service environments using tools like Slack, Google Workspace, Salesforce, customer portals, or workflow trackers.

🏝️ Benefits

• Employees have the option to work remotely.