To tackle tax preparation marketing ideas, let’s back up a sec and take a peek behind all the receipts, spreadsheets, filings, and forms that we typically associate with tax prep. And what do we find, you ask? We find you and your clients talking sports, school plays, and Sunday brunch. This connection with your client is your key advantage.

When you’re advertising tax services among new and existing clients, it pays to keep in mind the personal nature of the relationship. After all, your clients trust you with their most confidential information. Stuff they wouldn’t tell their best friend. Maybe not even their mom. Financial matters are sensitive. And you’re privy to and trusted with all of it.

When it comes to tax preparation marketing ideas, this is an important area to leverage. Your work is as much about trust as it is about taxes, as much about communication as it is about calculation. Given that tax accounting is at its core a business of relationships, promotional items aimed at marketing for a tax preparation business should focus on the relationships as much as the numbers, the warm and fuzzy as much as the 1040.

To get the creative juices flowing around tax preparation marketing ideas, a few suggestions follow. Some tend toward the warm and fuzzy, and some toward the bottom line. Maybe you bundle one of each for a complete package that retains current clients and wins new ones as well. Check out these 17 go-to tax and accounting promotional giveaways that will be welcome by any client and reinforce a long-term relationship year over year:

1. Paperwork and taxes go hand in hand. Help your clients zip through envelope opening with this customized Letter Opener.
2. Whether it’s a 1040EZ or a Schedule K-1, there’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to taxes. Help your customers take note of deadlines, write-offs, and their favorite tax preparer with a notepad and pen set, personalized with your message. We like these: Charon Notebook & Poppy Pen Gift Set, Britebrand™ Margot Gift Set, or the Neon Notepad and Pen
3. When it comes to taxes, signing is stressful but what a relief when all is said and done. It helps if your customer gets to celebrate the final signature by keeping the pen. Why not make it a memorable one with customized best-sellers? A bonus: These are available with blue ink, a tax preparer’s favorite: Alpha Soft Touch Bright with Stylus, Soft Touch Accent Gelebration™ Gel Pen with Colored Stylus, Britebrand™ Metallic Jigsaw Pen with Stylus Top

Tip: See all our custom blue ink pens. 

4. Celebrate end of tax season with a gift that’s sure to make every client feel loved: 8 Piece Truffle Box w/ Chocolate Centerpiece 

5. Stay top-of-mind off-season and on with personalized sticky notes: 3×3 Adhesive Die-Cut Notepads, Thumbs Up

6. Share pre-tax desktop fun with this silly stress reliever: Relax Talking Stress© Reliever

7. After-tax desktop fun starts with this congratulatory guy: Feel Great Pre-Recorded Talking Stress© Reliever/p>

8. You’ve helped them through the deluge of tax prep stress. Now get them prepared for spring showers with this innovative no-drip umbrella: Collapsible Umbrella with plastic cover

9. If it goes on the fridge or filing cabinet you’re top of mind all year long: Business Card Magnet

10. If your clients appreciate your approachable side, give them something hand-made to reinforce the vibe: Hand-Dipped Mug

11. They’ll think of you fondly every December – just before tax-prep time, with this attractive ornament: Shatter-Proof, USA-Made Ornament

12. When you send in their tax returns, send them off with a “Thank You” gift that  advertises your awesome brand everywhere they go. This best-selling tumbler’s made to keep beverages hot and cold, and keep your name top of mind all around town: Grande 16 oz. Ree Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid

13. Organizer bags remind your clients you’re their tax prep partner every time they save a receipt: Document Organizer with Snap Closure

14. Because there’s no need to deny your compulsive side when it comes to tax accounting: Spinning Fun Fidget Cube

15. Here’s to some year-round branding – and bills and credit cards at the ready: Cell Phone Wallet

16. Every time they highlight a receipt they’ll think of you: Custom 4 Color Mr. Highlighter with Computer Sweeper

17. If in doubt, always offer cookies, and this cookie gift comes with a personalized tin so your name stays on the counter, in the cupboard, and top of mind well after the goodies are gobbled up: Mrs. Fields® Sweet Delights Cookie Tin

Could a Good Joke Lessen Their Tax Burden?

Metaphorically speaking, yes! So for giveaways with more imprint space, how about including a little accounting joke? Like:

• “Be audit you can be.”
• Or how about this one: “Where do homeless accountants live? In a tax shelter.”
• Okay, just one more: “CPA’s best pickup line: Wow, you have a nice pair of W2s.”

Your tax preparation marketing ideas can go down the traditional route as well. For more 1040-themed promotional giveaways, check out our Tax & Accounting Promotional Items page.

Nothing Is Certain Except for Death, Taxes – and Brand Visibility for Your Small Business

Ben Franklin may not have recognized the power of a promotional gift, but we sure do. Offer a branded giveaway during a face-to-face client meeting or deliver it by mail. Leaving your clients with a reminder of your service – and your personal side – sets you up for long-term client relationships and recurring revenue. When advertising tax services with a promotional giveaway, pick your favorite product, imprint your logo, a slogan or other messaging, and get ready for year-round tax prep promotion with a personal touch.