How to Set Up a Tax Business
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Starting your own professional tax business can be a detailed process, especially when you consider the rules, regulations, and constantly changing IRS legislation. Whether you're looking to become a solo practitioner or grow a larger practice, here’s an overview of the steps you can take to successfully start your professional tax practice.

1. Register Your Tax Business with Your State

Consult a professional for guidance

Before you start operating, you need to register your business with your state. This involves choosing the type of entity for your company. You can either file a Doing Business As (DBA) name or form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation. The structure you choose will affect your taxes, liability, and overall business operations, so it’s essential to consult a professional to ensure you make the right choice.

2. Obtain Your PTIN and Apply for Your EFIN

If you plan to charge for tax preparation...

Stages of Business Growth for Newer Tax Preparers
Written by Kimberly Fowler

As a tax professional, understanding the stages of business growth is crucial. By identifying where you are in the journey, you can focus on the right tasks to move your business forward.

One of the biggest pitfalls tax preparers face is tackling business-building tasks in the wrong order. You may find yourself working hard on something that’s better suited for a later stage—and then wonder why your efforts aren’t paying off.

In this post, I’ll help you understand the four stages of business growth. Once you recognize your current phase, you’ll know exactly what to focus on and what success looks like at each stage.

STAGE #1: Pre-Startup or Pre-Revenue

This phase is when you bring your tax business into existence. As a new business owner, YOU are the business. There are no plans, contractors, or a team yet.

At this stage, you’re overwhelmed. There’s a lot to do, but little reward—meaning you’re not see...

3 Ways Your Mindset Affects Your Life
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Are you building your own tax business or balancing a job while growing your entrepreneurial dream? If so, let’s talk about how shifting your mindset can completely transform your success. It all starts in your mind. The results in your business are a direct reflection of what you believe and think every day.

If you prefer to listen instead of read, click here to listen to the audio version.

Let’s explore three common ways your mindset directly impacts your life and business success.

1. A Negative Mindset Can Affect Your Confidence

How do you react when things don’t go as planned? Maybe a client gives you feedback, or you make a mistake. Does it completely throw you off, or are you able to quickly correct and move on? If your mindset focuses on perfection, you’ll likely be discouraged by even the smallest missteps.

Here’s the key: mistakes happen, and that’s okay. The most successful people understand that failure...

FREE 5 Day 6 FIGURE TAX BUSINESS LAUNCH CHALLENGE

Starts April 18th, 2025!

Brought to you by TaxPro Software Solutions

Exciting News, Aspiring Tax Entrepreneurs!

I’m hosting a FREE Live Online Challenge to help you launch your 6-figure tax business—and it all starts on April 18th, 2025!

If you're ready to transform your tax business from where it is today into the thriving business you’ve always dreamed of, this challenge is for you!

The shift starts here. This is your chance to dive into the strategies and insights that will take your business to the next level. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

I’ve been working on this challenge for a while now, and I’m excited to see the impact it will have on early-stage tax business owners who are ready to take action. It’s going to be big—and you won’t want to miss it. So, carve out some time on your calendar and get ready to show up. 🙌

Let’s make this the year you build the tax business you deserve! 🚀

Build Trust by Being Consistent with Your Marketing
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Consistency is a key element to your business success. While other factors like quality and customer service are important, it's consistency that creates name recognition, builds your tribe, and showcases your expertise to new followers. Without consistency, you risk losing the trust you've worked hard to earn.

The Power of Consistency: A Real-World Example

Imagine this: you go to your favorite restaurant, order a dish you love, and are blown away by how great it tastes. A few weeks later, you take a friend to the same restaurant, order the same dish, but this time it doesn’t taste as good, so you send it back. Now, doubt creeps in about the restaurant’s quality and service. You wonder if that dish—or the restaurant as a whole—is as good as you once thought.

This is exactly what happens when your marketing isn’t consistent. A client may love your work, but if they experience inconsistency—whether in yo...

Build a Business... Not Another Job
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Many people dream of working for themselves—being their own boss and having the freedom to take on only the clients and projects they love.

However, there’s a big difference between building a business and being self-employed. Let me break it down for you:

• Business owners scale their income.

• Self-employed people trade dollars for hours.

• Business owners leverage the skills and talents of others.

• Self-employed people rely solely on their own skills.

Feeling discouraged? Don’t be! Every successful business owner started out self-employed. The key is to make sure you don’t stay stuck there. These tips will help you shift from simply running a job to building a scalable, sustainable business.

1. Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself

Building a successful, sustainable business means you need to leverage others’ talents. At first, it may seem like the most cost-effective option to do everything yourself, e...

The Ultimate Guide to a Smooth Tax Season with a Tax Preparer
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Tax season can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Working with a professional tax preparer can turn what feels like a daunting task into a breeze. In this guide, I’ll walk you through each step of working with a tax preparer to ensure your tax season is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Step 1: Online Scheduling

Say goodbye to long hold times and back-and-forth calls. With online scheduling, you can easily book an appointment with your tax preparer at your convenience. Simply visit their website, choose a time that works for you, and you're all set to go!

Step 2: Pre-Appointment Questionnaire

Before your appointment, you’ll complete a pre-appointment questionnaire. This is essential for your tax preparer to understand your unique situation and gather the necessary info to prepare your return. Take your time to fill it out carefully—it’s a simple step that makes the whole process...

7 Key Tactics for New Business Owners
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Hey there, future tax moguls! It's Kimberly Fowler, your tax business coach, and I'm here to help you start, run, and grow your own independent tax business.

Starting your own business can be overwhelming—especially with the endless courses, gurus, and advice floating around. It’s easy to feel lost in all the information and make the journey longer than it needs to be. But don’t worry! With the right focus and strategy, we can turn that overwhelm into actionable steps that lead to financial and time freedom.

I want to help you get there faster. In this post, I’m sharing 7 essential marketing tactics that you can start using today to elevate your tax business and make it a success from the get-go. While this advice is tailored to tax pros, it’s applicable to any new business owner.

Let’s dive in!

1. Create a One-of-a-Kind Selling Point

To stand out in the crowded tax space, your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is ...

Awesome Ways to Kickstart Your Independent Tax Biz with ChatGPT in 2023

Jun 27
Written By Coach Kimberly Fowler

Hey Future Tax Boss, 😎

Are you ready to kickstart your independent tax biz or light a fire under the one you’ve already started?
If you said “YES!” then buckle up because 2023 is your year.

It’s time to stop doing things the old way and start using the secret sauce for success—ChatGPT! 💥

Let's ditch the outdated processes, embrace cutting-edge AI, and watch your tax biz take flight. 🚀

Unleash the Power of ChatGPT for Your Tax Biz

1. Personalize Client Connections
Now, this is where the magic happens! ✨ Imagine impressing your clients with super-fast responses, automated emails, and even having a virtual assistant that talks to you. ChatGPT is a game-changer when it comes to client communication. You’ll be providing superior service that beats your competition. And hey—who doesn’t want to be known for their killer customer service? Get ready to shine, superstar!

2. M...

Don’t Even Think About Starting Your Tax Business Until You’ve Asked Yourself These 7 Questions

Hey, Future Tax Boss! 🙌

So you're thinking about starting a tax business?
Hold up, superstar—I love that for you, but let’s make sure you’re not just chasing checks. 👀

Yes, we want the coins 💰—but we also want purpose, passion, and a business that actually means something.

Because here’s the truth:
Your story, your “why,” and the problem you solve—that’s the magic sauce that separates you from every other tax preparer out there.

Let’s make sure you’re building something that’s not only profitable but powerful.

Ready? Let’s go.

💥 Don’t Start Your Tax Biz Until You’ve Answered These 7 Questions:

1. Let’s Get Personal

What’s your story?
Did you deal with a tax mess once and figure it out the hard way? Did someone not show up for you the way they should’ve? Tell it! People don’t connect with boring businesses—they connect with people. Real ones.

2. What Have You Already Figured Out T...