| Nobody likes to do taxes, and it can be a | | | | to become a multimillion-dollar business on this |
| particularly complicated task for those who own | | | | "seasonal" work alone. |
| their own business. Although most of your | | | | For your business clients you should set your |
| prospective clients will maintain their own weekly | | | | rates so that you make at least $20 an hour. |
| bookkeeping, you can offer this additional service | | | | Since quarterly tax returns will come due for |
| to those who want it. | | | | different clients at different times (because they |
| To sell your service you should make a minimum | | | | are not all on the same fiscal schedule), you can |
| investment in a Yellow Pages listing under "Tax | | | | plan your time accordingly. To keep your rates |
| Return Preparation" (or "Bookkeeping Service"), as | | | | competitive, check the competition. Call a few of |
| well as placing small classified ads in your local | | | | the bookkeeping or tax preparation services listed |
| newspaper. Personal visits to community retailers | | | | in the Yellow Pages and ask them their rates as if |
| are helpful, especially if you have the time to | | | | you were a potential client. |
| strike up a conversation, mention what business | | | | Your goal in this business is to establish a growing |
| you are in and leave a business card for the | | | | list of clients. But even as a solo practitioner, |
| retailer's reference. | | | | handling only the number of clients you can |
| A natural outgrowth of this business is, of course, | | | | service by yourself, your income can easily top |
| individual tax return preparation. Most owners of | | | | $50,000 a year. If you wish to grow larger, you |
| businesses tend to use their business tax | | | | could end up supervising an office full of trained |
| preparer for their personal returns. Although | | | | staff members. Your initial investment to start |
| personal tax preparation is a seasonal business, it | | | | this business need be nothing more than the cost |
| can be extremely lucrative. H&R Block has grown | | | | of a supply of business cards and letterheads. |