As a tax consultant, you work with individuals and businesses to help them pay their taxes correctly and take advantage of any applicable exemptions. To do this, you must have a strong grasp of tax legislation and be able to explain complicated laws to your clients in an understandable way. In addition, your responsibilities often include research and planning services, as well as preparation of tax returns and financial statements. Some consultants specialize in a particular industry, while others offer broader advisory services.
A career as a tax consultant is considered a stable, practical option by labor experts. Tax-related jobs remain in demand, even during times of economic downturns, as people and companies still need to meet their tax obligations. A tax consultant can also assist clients in navigating complex legal issues, such as when the tax laws change or after a life event, like a divorce, affects a person’s financial situation.
In addition to a solid grasp of tax laws, a good tax consultant should have excellent mathematical abilities. Basic tax preparation requires these skills, but identifying deductions and other areas of potential savings for clients calls for an advanced level of math ability. You should also be able to review and verify documents submitted online by your clients to ensure they comply with tax laws.
You may also be called on to help clients negotiate a tax settlement with the IRS or other government revenue agencies. This work typically involves a high degree of specialized knowledge of tax law, and it’s more common for these types of tasks to be performed by CPAs or attorneys.
Depending on the scope of your job duties, you may want to pursue professional certification or accreditation to enhance your credentials. While this is optional, it can help you to find employment with larger organizations and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. The Accredited Tax Advisor credential, issued by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation, is one example of a prestigious designation that many tax professionals pursue to boost their careers.
A successful tax consultant will have a strong understanding of all federal and state laws that impact the taxes they file for their clients. This includes laws regarding corporate, personal, and estate taxation, as well as laws governing the sale of property and investment transactions. You should also have good written and verbal communication skills, as you will need to translate current tax law findings and your research into a strategy that’s easy for your clients to comprehend. In addition to these core qualifications, a good tax consultant will be able to handle multiple responsibilities and projects at once. This is especially important as your workload increases during busy seasons, such as tax season. In these cases, you can also benefit from working with a team of assistants who can provide support with various tasks. Steuerberater