Tax Preparers

Tax Preparers score 63 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #82 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 12 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 9 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 7 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

63/ 100

High

Rank: #82of 923 jobs
US workers: 76,480BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $54,920a year
In real AI use: 7 of 12tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (25%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 9 (75%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Schedule appointments with clients.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use

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Questions about tax preparers and AI

Will AI replace tax preparers?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Tax Preparers score 63 out of 100 (high exposure), #82 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 12 of the job's 12 tasks, 3 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which tax preparers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables"; "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".

Which tax preparers tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 9 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 7 of the 12 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as tax preparers, and what do they earn?

About 76,480 people in the US, with median pay of $54,920 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.