CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN
Tax preparation services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: 822 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 5-person team.
- Establishments
- 822CBP 2023
- Employees
- 3,855mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 8.7U.S. 8.5
- Rank
- 4th of 715areas by count
How many tax preparation services are in Chicago, IL-IN?
There were 822 tax preparation services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541213, Tax Preparation Services). They employed 3,855 people in mid-March and paid $126.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 4th out of 715 areas with published figures for tax preparation services.
Measured against its 9.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 8.7 tax preparation services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 8.5, so Chicago, IL-IN is 3.3% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 4.7 employees, compared with 4.7 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $32,727, 31.4% above the national $24,908.
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 822 | 990 | 28,762 |
| Mid-March employees | 3,855 (moderate noise) | 4,722 (moderate noise) | 133,868 (moderate noise) |
| Annual payroll | $126,162,000 | $140,171,000 | $3,334,416,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Payroll per employee | $32,727 | $29,685 | $24,908 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 8.7 | 7.8 | 8.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN
Of the tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN that had employees in March 2023, 68.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 69.1%). 91.8% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 563 | 68.7% | 69.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 190 | 23.2% | 20.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 52 | 6.3% | 7.3% |
| 20–49 employees | 11 | 1.3% | 2.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 4 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN
Tax preparers do much of their year's business in a few months, and a missed call in March is often a lost return. Seasonal staff need to share one business number without giving out personal phones. That holds for tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN:
- A new client calls to ask what documents to bring.
- The office calls a client about a missing document.
- A client calls about a letter from the IRS.
Business texting for tax preparation services
Preparers text appointment confirmations and lists of documents to bring.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
Phone system pricing for a 5-person tax preparation office
The average tax preparation office in Chicago, IL-IN has 4.7 employees, so a 5-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $124.75 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $150.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 5 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $612 less than RingCentral for a tax preparation office in Chicago, IL-IN of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $95.00 | $1,140.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $115.00 | $1,380.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $124.75 | $1,497.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $135.00 | $1,620.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $150.00 | $1,800.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for tax preparation services in Chicago, IL-IN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 630 has the most, with 778 of 3,886 exchanges (20%). A local number lets clients in Chicago, IL-IN call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | 778 | Central | 1996 | 331 |
| 847 | 766 | Central | 1996 | 224 |
| 708 | 748 | Central | 1989 | 464 |
| 224 | 581 | Central | 2002 | 847 |
| 219 | 369 | Eastern and Central | 1948 | none |
| 815 | 292 | Central | 1947 | 779 |
| 331 | 224 | Central | 2007 | 630 |
| 779 | 128 | Central | 2007 | 815 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a tax preparation office in Chicago, IL-IN
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Chicago, IL-IN is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Avoid sending Social Security numbers or full tax documents by text.
Frequently asked questions
How many tax preparation services are there in Chicago, IL-IN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 822 tax preparation services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023. They employed 3,855 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 5-person tax preparation office?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 5 users cost $150.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $124.75 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a tax preparation office in Chicago, IL-IN use?
Area code 630 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 847 and 708. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a tax preparation office?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute. Avoid sending Social Security numbers or full tax documents by text.