Tax Preparers vs Planners

Tax preparation and tax planning are distinct services, but many clients hire preparers for compliance without strategic planning.

300,000 Accountants Left in Two Years

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows over 300,000 accountants and auditors left the workforce in two years.

36% Want New Tax Professionals

36% of people seeking personal tax help want new professionals to replace their current provider.

Affluent Households Drive Demand

Over half of those seeking a financial advisor report a net worth of $1 million or more.

Tax Preparers Focus on Compliance

Tax preparers log what happened, while planners focus on strategic decisions before major financial events.

Perez on Tax Strategy

David A. Perez, tax strategist, says you can't expect advisory relationships when hiring only for tax returns.

“You can't expect an advisory relationship when you've only hired someone to prepare a tax return”

High-Volume Work Model

Tax professionals work 50-80 hours during tax season to serve hundreds of clients at $1,000 per client.

1 in 3 Taxpayers Want Replacement

One in three taxpayers using professionals seek a replacement provider.

16% Unhappy with Current Provider

16% of taxpayers are unhappy with their current tax provider, while 10% seek affordable options.

High Earner Risks

High earners face costly tax traps like NIIT, AMT, and uncoordinated Roth conversions without proactive planning.

Steps for 2026

Schedule a planning meeting now to avoid year-end tax traps and set up year-round strategy before filing season.

“Schedule a real planning meeting now”

Tax Return Should Reflect Plan

Your tax return should formalize a plan you've already worked on, not be the first time you discover it.

“Your tax return should reflect a plan you already worked on”