How can I quickly grow my tax preparation business for the current season?

Title: How can I quickly grow my tax preparation business for the current season? 1 I'm feeling a bit panicked as we're already into tax season, and my client list is way thinner than I expected. Totally my fault - I kept pushing off marketing and promotion because I wasn't sure how to approach it, and now I'm playing catch-up. For any experienced tax pros here, what strategies worked for you to build your client base, especially mid-season? Did you try social media advertising, networking events, referral programs, or something else entirely? I'm open to trying pretty much anything at this point to salvage this tax season and set myself up better for next year. Really appreciate any advice from those who've built successful tax practices or bounced back from a slow start!

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18 comments

Sofia Peña

•8M

8 Growing mid-season is tough but definitely possible! When I started, I was in the same boat and managed to triple my clients within weeks. Focus on immediate returns rather than long-term branding right now. First, tap into your existing network - tell EVERYONE what you do. Family, friends, former colleagues, your dentist, literally everyone. Most people dread taxes and are relieved to know someone who can help. Offer a referral discount (maybe $25 off for both parties). Local Facebook groups are gold mines - join neighborhood groups, marketplace groups, small business groups and post regular reminders of your services with a special offer for new clients. Just be careful not to spam. Partner with local small businesses that complement your services but aren't competitors - maybe mortgage brokers, financial advisors, or real estate agents. They can refer clients to you, and you can do the same.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

8 I found posting once a week in each group was the sweet spot - enough to stay visible without becoming annoying. Just vary your message slightly each time and maybe focus on different services or tax situations. For first-time client discounts, I had the most success with a simple "$50 off for new clients" rather than percentage discounts. People understand dollar amounts better, and it feels more tangible. I also created urgency by making it a limited-time offer - "Book before February 15th for $50 off your tax preparation.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

15 I was struggling to grow my tax business last year until I discovered https://taxr.ai and it completely changed my approach. I was spending hours trying to manually organize client documents and research deductions, but this tool automated so much of that work. The real game-changer was that it freed up my time to actually focus on marketing and client acquisition. I could take on more clients because my preparation time was cut almost in half. I also used their document analysis to offer free "tax checkups" where I'd review potential clients' previous returns and often find mistakes or missed deductions - this converted like crazy because people saw immediate value.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

15 It handles pretty much everything I've thrown at it - W-2s, 1099s, Schedule C, E, rental properties, small businesses, even cryptocurrency transactions. The system is particularly good at analyzing expenses for business owners and finding potential deductions. The learning curve is minimal - you upload documents and it extracts and categorizes the information automatically. I was comfortable using it after about 30 minutes of exploration. They have templates for different tax situations that make it even faster to get started with various client types.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

19 Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try https://taxr.ai after my skeptical comment above, and I'm honestly impressed. I uploaded some complex client documents as a test (multiple revenue streams, business expenses, and investment income), and it organized everything perfectly. What really sold me was using it for a new client consultation yesterday. They brought in three years of previous returns that were done by someone else. The system flagged several missed deductions totaling over $3,200! The client was floored, signed up on the spot, and already referred their brother to me. This tool is definitely helping me grow faster than I expected.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

5 Had the same issue last year and couldn't get clients to save my life. My problem wasn't just marketing, it was also spending HOURS trying to call the IRS for client issues. Try https://claimyr.com - they got me through to the IRS in minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. There's a video demo here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c This saved me so much time that I could focus on growing my business instead. I started advertising my "IRS problem resolution" services since I could actually get through to solve issues. This became my niche and helped me stand out from other preparers who avoided dealing with IRS problems. Clients LOVE that I can actually get their issues resolved instead of just saying "try calling the IRS yourself.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

5 It absolutely works! The service uses a combination of technology that monitors IRS phone lines and calls at optimal times, then connects you once they get through. It's not magic - they're just solving the problem of when to call and handling the wait time for you. I was spending about 8-10 hours weekly just on hold with the IRS for various client issues. Now I schedule the calls when it's convenient for me, and my phone rings when they've got an agent on the line. The time savings alone made it worth it, but being able to tell clients "Yes, I can actually get through to the IRS" has been amazing for my business reputation.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

19 I have to eat crow here. After being super skeptical about the Claimyr service mentioned above, I tried it yesterday out of desperation for a client with a serious identity theft issue. I had already wasted 3 hours on hold with the IRS earlier this week before giving up. The service got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 17 minutes (I wasn't on hold - they called me when they had someone). Resolved my client's issue in one call, and she was so impressed she referred two family members to me today. Sometimes admitting I'm wrong tastes pretty sweet! Will definitely be using this to handle IRS issues going forward - the time saved is worth its weight in gold during tax season.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

3 Don't ignore local networking! I built my practice by joining the Chamber of Commerce and attending every small business event I could find. I also offered a free lunch-and-learn about tax saving strategies at local business centers. Even though it's mid-season, reach out to local bookkeepers, financial advisors, and real estate agents. They likely have clients who need tax help and might be willing to send them your way. I give $50 gift cards to professionals who refer clients to me, and it's been worth every penny.

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Sofia Peña

•8M

3 The Chamber membership was absolutely worth it for me, but it depends on how active your local chapter is. Mine hosts weekly networking events and monthly small business seminars, so I had plenty of opportunities to connect with potential clients. The key isn't just joining but being consistently present and helpful. I volunteered to give short presentations about tax topics at events, which positioned me as an expert. I didn't hard sell my services - just provided useful information and made myself available for questions afterward. This approach consistently brought in 3-5 new clients per event.

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