As a Steuerberater Hattingen you help clients navigate tax laws to minimize their liabilities. You work with a wide variety of clients, from individuals to business owners, and you assist them with more complex financial issues than those handled by a standard tax preparer. Typically, you have a higher level of education and credentials, such as a CPA or an enrolled agent (EA) license. In addition, you often take continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with changing tax laws.
Many people assume that hiring a tax consultant is only for wealthy individuals, but most Americans can benefit from the services offered by these professionals. They can help you locate missing tax deductions, file a claim for a refund or even request an abatement of penalties. Moreover, they can also help you create an effective plan for future years to minimize your tax liability.
The best way to become a tax consultant is to earn a relevant degree in accounting, finance or a similar subject. Most undergraduate programs offer majors in these subjects, and you can also find graduate degrees focusing on specific areas of the field. Regardless of your academic level, you can seek out internships and practicum opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field. You can also participate in professional associations to gain access to job postings.
To prepare taxes for clients, you must register with the IRS and obtain a PTIN, or tax preparer tax identification number. You may also need to obtain other credentials, depending on your scope of work. For example, if you want to represent your clients in dealings with the IRS, you must hold an EA credential, which requires passing a three-part exam and submitting annual filing season program certificate.
Whether you’re looking for a job as a tax consultant or are a current one, it’s important to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. This allows you to convey information clearly and concisely, allowing your clients to understand your recommendations. It’s also crucial to have strong organizational and planning skills to manage your workload.
Many professional tax consultants are employed by public accounting firms, but you can also work independently as a freelancer. Some individuals choose to pursue private practice, while others work as in-house tax managers for large corporations.
In addition to offering income tax preparation, a tax consultant can help businesses with their payroll taxes and deductibles. They can also advise individuals on how to minimize their tax liabilities and make the most of their assets. Some tax consultants specialize in a specific area, such as inheritance issues or charitable giving.
A career as a tax consultant can be very rewarding and lucrative. Several online job boards can connect you with senior-level positions, remote jobs and other niche opportunities. Some examples include etaxjobs, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants global job board and Consultants 500. You can use these sites’ search filters to identify positions in your desired location and area of expertise.
