Home-Based tax return agent for individuals

Employees, casual workers, students, rental property owners and people who want a return done properly without doing it themselves.

A fixed fee per return, with higher fees for returns with rental properties, shares or sole trader income. Work peaks from July to October, with a quieter rest of the year.

• Comfortable with tax rules and numbers
• Careful and accurate with detail
• Clear communication with non-experts

• Charging a fee to prepare tax returns generally requires TPB registration, so confirm this before taking any clients
• Professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional education are likely requirements, check with the TPB
• Privacy and secure handling of clients' tax file numbers and documents
• Council approval may be needed to run a business from home, check with your local council
• Income is seasonal, so plan your cash flow for the quieter months

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on your client numbers and the time of year.

Charging a fee to prepare tax returns generally requires TPB registration, so confirm this before taking any clients. Also check professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional education requirements with the TPB.

Income is seasonal, so plan your cash flow for the quieter months. The estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week, and the work is busiest after 1 July each year.