Tax Preparers
Machines can already do 54% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 85%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Tax Preparers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 54% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 13% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 85% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 76,480 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $54,920 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Preparer, Tax Accountant.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables | 18% | 50% to 85% | |
| Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses | 18% | 50% to 85% | |
| Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances | 13% | 55% to 85% | |
| Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns | 12% | 50% to 85% | |
| Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum | 10% | 50% to 85% | |
| Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion | 7% | 72% to 92% | |
| Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures | 7% | 80% to 97% | |
| Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns | 5% | 45% to 80% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills tax preparers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Tax Preparers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of tax preparers?
Machines can do 54% of the tasks of tax preparers today and 85% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-2082.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Tax Preparers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/tax-preparers/