How to Moonlight as a Tax Preparer
Moonlighting (working an extra job on top of your primary one, generally in the evenings) is a common way to get additional income, and for anyone trained in accounting, tax preparation is an appealing field. It's seasonal, and based on client interaction, and you can take on work in bits and pieces, preparing individual tax returns in your spare time. But it's not always easy; like any other small business, difficulties arise.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Find time. For a full-time worker, fitting in extra hours can be difficult. Think about when you can reasonably clear a block of time to pursue your new profession, something that you can commit to so you can be available to potential customers. It also helps to have a number where you can be reached during the day for scheduling purposes.
-
2
Find an office. Many tax workers have set up offices in their homes, in garages, studies or spare rooms. Clients visit the home to drop off their tax documents, and the budding business is spared the overhead of maintaining a separate office space.
-
-
3
Research the laws on small business, including local ordinances and even zoning restrictions. These might not have an immediate application to what you want to do, but it's always good to double-check, to make sure you won't run afoul of any local policies on operating your own business.
-
4
Get the word out. Many beginning tax offices rely on word of mouth: customers refer family and friends if they feel they are getting superior customer service or a great deal. You can also advertise on community boards or other public venues.
-
5
Give it time. As with all businesses, it takes a while for customers to materialize. Quitting before you start is a common mistake of those who are attempting a transition into a moonlighting business. It's important to stay committed to those hours that you've put aside, and stay busy in the absence of a solid customer base until eventually your clientele grows.
-
1
