What’s the average cost of tax preparation in 2025? How are fees changing – and why are clients seeing more complex returns than ever?
The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) has released its latest bi-annual Fee Study, revealing trends in tax preparation pricing, complexity and the evolving role of today’s tax professional.
The NATP Fee Study offers a concise view of how tax preparation continues to evolve, both in complexity and value. This edition features key insights curated for journalists and professionals covering tax season trends, pricing models, and the growing responsibilities of tax preparers.
Download the 2025 Fee Study (media highlights)
Download NATP’s analysis and commentary on the 2025 Fee Study
Key findings from the 2025 study:
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Fees are rising: Most professionals reported fee increases between 6-10%, outpacing inflation.
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“Simple returns” are no longer simple: Schedules A, C, D and new credits are more common than ever.
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AI is being used, but not replacing pros: One-third of tax professionals report AI efficiency gains, but misinformation and client confusion are growing.
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Value-based pricing is now the norm: Nearly half of respondents use a minimum fee + complexity model.
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More pros are earning more: There’s been a marked shift upward in gross revenue reported.
Media contacts and interviews
Need a source for a story or commentary on this data?
Contact our PR team to schedule an interview with Jennifer Van Elzen, director of Member Relations and Analytics, and lead study architect.
Suggested story angles:
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The 'simple' tax return is dead – why even W-2 clients are filing with 5+ forms
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Tax prep fees are outpacing inflation, but here’s why
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Tax professionals are fixing more AI errors than ever
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Side hustles, crypto and dredits: what’s complicating returns in 2025