Business & FinanceO*NET: 13-2082.00
Will AI Replace Tax Preparers?
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
94out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
94/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
12
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- â–¸Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- â–¸Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- â–¸Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
- â–¸Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
- â–¸Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Providing empathy and emotional support
- â–¸Creative problem-solving in ambiguous contexts
- â–¸Physical tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (7)
- 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.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
- Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
- Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
- Schedule appointments with clients.
âš¡AI-Assisted (5)
- 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.
- Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
- Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
- Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
Key Skills Analysis
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 2.75/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Tax Preparers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 94/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research