text: about how much does it cost to hire a tax preparer? for a solepreprietor ? it all depends on the complexity of your return, where you live, and who you have prepare it.  tax prep services like h&r block usually have a set fee based on the forms they fill out for you.  a cpa will charge you an hourly rate plus expenses (which are nominal).  a small cpa firm will probably charge you around $75 per hour to prepare your return, a medium sized firm will be around $125, and a large firm can be from $150 to $300 per hour.  my suggestion would be to ask fellow business people in your area if they can recommend a cpa.  no matter the cost, trust and integrity are the most important qualities of a cpa.  if they're good, someone will recommend them.  :) prissypanda, cpa