Tax Preparer Invoice Template
A tax preparer invoice bills return, lists services, labour and fees on separate lines and states the terms (Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed). This template is pre-filled for federal and state individual return for a married couple with a side business, one rental unit and stock sales: 8 lines totalling $955.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a tax preparer: federal and state individual return for a married couple with a side business, one rental unit and stock sales. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Lakeside Tax Preparation
478 Market Street
Franklin, TN 37064
billing@example.com
(312) 555-0178
Invoice
Bill to
Robin Okafor
63 Linden Place
Salem, MA 01970
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal individual return, Form 1040Base fee, married filing jointly | 1 return | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| Schedule C, self-employment incomeHome office and vehicle expense worksheets | 1 each | $175.00 | $175.00 |
| Schedule E, one rental propertyDepreciation schedule included | 1 each | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Schedule D and Form 8949Up to 25 stock transactions | 1 each | $95.00 | $95.00 |
| State resident return | 1 return | $95.00 | $95.00 |
| Estimated tax vouchers for next year | 1 set | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Sorting unorganized documentsNo organizer completed | 1.5 hr | $80.00 | $120.00 |
| E-file, federal and state | 2 each | $15.00 | $30.00 |
- Subtotal
- $955.00
- Balance due
- $955.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Lakeside Tax Preparation. Terms: Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
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Tax Preparer invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Federal and state individual return for a married couple with a side business, one rental unit and stock sales |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | return |
| Usual payment terms | Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed |
| Sample lines | 8 lines, $955.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Federal individual return, Form 1040: $250.00 (26%) |
| Labour hours billed | 1.5 h, $120.00 |
| Trade-specific fields | Preparer PTIN, Tax year, Taxpayer and spouse names, Filing status, Returns filed (federal / state) |
Sample tax preparer invoice line items
Federal and state individual return for a married couple with a side business, one rental unit and stock sales: 8 lines adding up to $955.00, split into services $805.00 (84%), labour $120.00 (13%) and fees $30.00 (3%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal individual return, Form 1040 (Base fee, married filing jointly) | 1 return | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| Schedule C, self-employment income (Home office and vehicle expense worksheets) | 1 each | $175.00 | $175.00 |
| Schedule E, one rental property (Depreciation schedule included) | 1 each | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Schedule D and Form 8949 (Up to 25 stock transactions) | 1 each | $95.00 | $95.00 |
| State resident return | 1 return | $95.00 | $95.00 |
| Estimated tax vouchers for next year | 1 set | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Sorting unorganized documents (No organizer completed) | 1.5 hr | $80.00 | $120.00 |
| E-file, federal and state | 2 each | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| Subtotal | $955.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $955.00 |
What a tax preparer invoice should include
- Your tax preparation business name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Robin Okafor in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-8716) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed
- Preparer PTIN: for example 12-3456789
- Tax year: for example 12-3456789
- Taxpayer and spouse names: for example 12-3456789
- Filing status: for example See notes
- Line items in return or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How tax preparers bill
Tax preparers usually charge a base fee per return plus a fee per form or schedule, so a simple wage return costs much less than one with self-employment, rental or investment schedules.
Tax preparers commonly use "Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed", so the invoice is payable the day it is issued.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Tax Preparers $24.31 (employees, not contractor rates). The sample's $80.00 per hour for "Sorting unorganized documents" is 3.3 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Tax Preparer invoicing tips
- Itemize the fee by form and schedule rather than one total, so a returning client can see that a higher bill this year came from a new Schedule C or rental, not a price increase.
- If the fee is paid out of the refund through a bank product, show the provider's charge on its own line and the amount the client will actually receive, because that deduction surprises people.
- Bill amended returns and replies to IRS or state notices on separate invoices that name the tax year and the notice, instead of reopening the original return invoice.
- Charge document sorting by the hour only when a client arrives with unsorted papers, and say on the line that a completed organizer avoids it, which nudges them to come prepared next season.
Tax Preparer billing disputes to head off
- Clients dispute the fee after a smaller refund than last year; a fee broken down by form ties the price to the paperwork prepared, not to the size of the refund.
- A corrected 1099-B that arrives after filing forces an amended return; listing on the invoice the documents the return was based on lets you bill the amendment as new work.
Work a tax preparer can bill for
Core tasks of Tax Preparers (O*NET 13-2082.00, O*NET 29.x task statements, CC BY 4.0). Each can become a line on the invoice.
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
How to make a tax preparer invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Lakeside Tax Preparation (your business) and the customer, Robin Okafor, then preparer ptin.
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-8716 and set the terms to Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Federal individual return, Form 1040" (1 return) to "E-file, federal and state" (2 each).
-
Check the total
The 8 lines come to $955.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes tax preparation.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the tax preparation records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a tax preparer invoice?
Add your tax preparation business details, the customer, preparer ptin, tax year, taxpayer and spouse names and filing status, then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 8 lines for federal and state individual return for a married couple with a side business, one rental unit and stock sales totalling $955.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do tax preparers charge?
Mostly return. Tax preparers usually charge a base fee per return plus a fee per form or schedule, so a simple wage return costs much less than one with self-employment, rental or investment schedules.
When should a tax preparer invoice be paid?
Due on receipt, before the return is e-filed is the usual arrangement. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do tax preparers earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Tax Preparers $24.31 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.