The short answer
Tax advisory work typically costs $225–$375 per hour, with a typical rate around $300. This is strategy and planning — distinct from simply filing a return — so the rate reflects credentialed expertise. The market spread:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| General preparer consult | $100–$180 | Answers to specific questions, basic guidance. |
| Experienced CPA / EA | $180–$325 | Proactive planning, entity strategy, multi-year tax modeling. |
| Specialist advisor | $325–$450 | Complex situations, equity comp, real estate, multi-state. |
| Niche / high-net-worth | $450–$550+ | Sophisticated structuring, estate and business exit planning. |
What actually moves the price
Advice vs. filing. A tax preparer records what already happened; a tax advisor helps you make decisions before it happens — entity choice, timing income, retirement contributions, deductions you’d otherwise miss. That forward-looking work is where the higher rate earns its keep, often paying for itself in savings.
Credentials. CPAs and Enrolled Agents can represent you before the IRS and carry real accountability. For planning that affects thousands in tax, that credential matters more than the hourly difference.
Complexity. Multiple entities, real estate, equity compensation, or multi-state activity drive both hours and expertise required. If you’re self-employed, the IRS Self-Employed Tax Center is worth reading before a session so you spend the billed time well. Talk to a licensed professional before acting on any strategy.
How this guide is priced
Figures are compiled from public rate listings and market data — see the sources below and our data methodology. As Mindhyv grows, these ranges will reflect real, anonymized engagement data from the marketplace.
Before you hire
Read the tax advisor hiring guide to know when planning beats a cheaper filing; if all you need this year is the return itself, that’s a preparer’s job, not an advisor’s. Compare advisory engagements on the same scope with the Mindhyv tools.