Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace tax preparers?AI replacement risk 85% and how the work is changing

United States Accounting & Tax Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$54,920
25th–75th pct. $38,910–$76,300
Top pay (est.)
$129,100
Top 10% $99,270
Pay in 5 years
$60,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$66,800est.
$57,500–$77,600
Outlook score
48/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
85%
Very high
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.7%
9,400 openings / yr

Will AI replace Tax Preparers? AI replacement risk

85%
Very high
Ranked #820 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Tax Preparers

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.6
Speaking
3.5
Judgment and Decision Making
3.1
Time Management
3.0
Complex Problem Solving
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Administrative
4.8
Computers and Electronics
4.7
Customer and Personal Service
4.6
Economics and Accounting
4.4
Mathematics
4.4
English Language
4.2
Law and Government
4.1
Education and Training
3.4

What the work involves

Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationDocumenting/Recording Information

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionNear VisionDeductive ReasoningNumber Facility

Education of workers

High school diploma
38%
Bachelor's degree
24%
Post-secondary certificate
24%
Associate's degree
14%

Training before entry

1–3 months
24%
1–2 years
19%
None / short demo
14%
2–4 years
14%
Up to 1 month
14%
6–12 months
10%
3–6 months
5%

Related work experience

None
29%
1–2 years
24%
2–4 years
19%
4–6 years
10%
6–12 months
10%
3–6 months
10%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.