09/16/2026
NEW TAX PREPARERS: DONâT JOIN A TAX TEAM UNTIL YOU ASK THESE 10 QUESTIONS.
Everybody recruiting preparers isnât offering the same opportunity. Before you sign up, hand over your clients, or agree to somebodyâs fee split, ASK QUESTIONS.
1. What percentage of MY tax prep fee do I keep?
Donât just ask what you get paid. Ask exactly how the split works.
2. Are there any fees taken out BEFORE my percentage is calculated?
Software fees? Bank fees? Technology fees? Service bureau fees? Admin fees? Know where the money goes.
3. Who owns the clients I bring in?
If you leave next year, can you take YOUR clients with you?
4. When and how do I get paid?
Daily? Weekly? After the refund funds? After the bank releases fees? Get clear on the process.
5. Is tax software included, and what software will I actually be using?
You need to know what tools youâre being given to do the job.
6. What training do I receive BEFORE tax season starts?
A login and a prayer is NOT training. đ Ask about tax law, software training, due diligence, practice returns, and real client scenarios.
7. Who helps me when I get stuck on a return?
Because you WILL get stuck. Every preparer does. Find out whether you have actual support.
8. Will I have my own EFIN, or will I be preparing under the companyâs EFIN?
Understand exactly how the office is structured and what happens if you eventually want your own tax business.
9. What happens if one of my returns gets audited or receives an IRS notice?
Ask what support is provided after the return is filed.
10. WHAT AM I ACTUALLY BUILDING?
This might be the most important question. Are you just preparing returns for somebody else, or are you learning how to build something that can eventually belong to YOU?
New preparers, please stop choosing tax teams based on who has the prettiest flyer, biggest refund screenshots, or loudest page.
Ask about the MONEY.
Ask about the TRAINING.
Ask about the SUPPORT.
Ask about CLIENT OWNERSHIP.
And ask what this opportunity looks like AFTER tax season.
The goal shouldnât just be to make some money from January through April.
The goal is to learn the business well enough that your next tax season looks completely different from your first.