U.S. Tax Preparer, Small Business Returns
The U.S. Tax Preparer prepares accurate, complete, and timely U.S. tax returns for BenchTax small business customers. The ideal candidate can review books, year-end financials, prior-year returns, and supporting documents; identify missing or inconsistent information; make or flag straightforward supported bookkeeping/tax adjustments; prepare returns in professional tax software; communicate directly with customers; and conduct draft review calls.
This person must be able to explain tax concepts clearly and empathetically to non-tax professionals and document the file so reviewers and advisors can understand the work without recreating it.
Core Responsibilities
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Prepare federal and applicable state returns for small business customers, including 1040, Schedule C, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 returns.
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Review customer documents, bookkeeping records, year-end financials, prior-year returns, and supporting schedules before preparing the return.
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Identify missing information, inconsistencies, unsupported balances, or bookkeeping issues before the return reaches review.
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Identify bookkeeping issues that affect tax return accuracy, make straightforward supported adjustments when appropriate, and document or escalate anything that must be corrected before filing.
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Communicate directly with customers when information is needed and conduct draft review calls explaining the return, balance due/refund, approval requirements, and next steps in plain language.
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Prepare or support returns involving R&D credits / Form 6765 where applicable, and identify missing documentation or items requiring specialist/advisor review.
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Provide concise status updates, respond promptly to internal and customer-facing messages, and proactively flag blockers or deadline risks.
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Document workpapers, assumptions, adjustments, open questions, customer conversations, and next steps clearly.
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Resolve routine tax preparation questions independently using tax knowledge, research, and internal resources; escalate only when genuinely advisory, legally sensitive, complex, or outside scope.
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Correct prep-related errors or omissions promptly when returned by reviewer feedback.
Required Qualifications
- Valid IRS PTIN.
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Demonstrated U.S. tax preparation experience, including small business returns.
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Experience with at least some of the following: 1040, Schedule C, 1120-S, 1065, and 1120.
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Ability to review financial statements, year-end financials, bookkeeping records, general ledgers, income/expense reports, and supporting documentation.
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Ability to recognize when bookkeeping issues or adjustments affect tax return accuracy.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking directly with customers by phone or video.
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Ability to explain tax concepts clearly, calmly, and empathetically to non-tax professionals.
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Strong computer skills and ability to work efficiently across multiple systems in a remote environment.
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Independent ownership, responsiveness, follow-through, and sound judgment within documented workflows.
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Willingness to complete BenchTax’s written technical assessment and customer-communication assessment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CPA or Enrolled Agent designation.
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Big 4 Experience: Ernst Young, KPMG, Deloitte, & PWC
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Experience with R&D credits and Form 6765, including qualified research expenses, payroll tax credit considerations, and substantiation requirements.
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Experience preparing returns for startups, software companies, engineering firms, product-development businesses, or other R&D-heavy clients.
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Experience conducting draft review calls and making or proposing adjusting journal entries.
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Experience with Drake Tax or similar professional tax software.
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Experience in remote tax, accounting, bookkeeping, or client-service environments using tools such as Slack, Google Workspace, Salesforce, customer portals, or workflow trackers.
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