CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for tax preparation services in North Dakota
40 tax preparation services operated in North Dakota in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 40CBP 2023
- Employees
- 185mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 5.0U.S. 8.5
- State rank
- 49th of 51by count
Tax preparation services in North Dakota by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 40 tax preparation services in North Dakota in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541213). They employed 185 people in mid-March and reported $5,074,000 in annual payroll. That is the 49th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Tax preparation services make up 0.16% of the 25,402 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) North Dakota has 5.0 tax preparation services, 40.6% below the national rate of 8.5. The average establishment has 4.6 employees against 4.7 nationally. Payroll per employee is $27,427, 10.1% above the U.S. figure of $24,908.
| Measure | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 40 | 28,762 |
| Mid-March employees | 185 | 133,868 (moderate noise) |
| Annual payroll | $5,074,000 | $3,334,416,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Payroll per employee | $27,427 | $24,908 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 5.0 | 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.
North Dakota's largest markets for tax preparation services
Census published tax preparation office counts for 5 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of North Dakota. The largest is Fargo, ND-MN, with 17 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 38% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 17 | 74 | 6.3 |
| Bismarck, ND | 7 | 35 | 5.0 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 7 | 47 | 6.7 |
| Minot, ND | 4 | — | 5.3 |
| Williston, ND | 4 | — | 9.8 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at tax preparation services in North Dakota
61.5% of North Dakota's tax preparation services with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 69.1% nationally. 87.2% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 24 | 61.5% | 69.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 10 | 25.6% | 20.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 12.8% | 7.3% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 2.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 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.
What tax preparation services in North Dakota use the phone for
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.
Calls a tax preparation office in North Dakota might handle in a typical week include:
- A returning client calls to book an appointment.
- A new client calls to ask what documents to bring.
- A client calls about a letter from the IRS.
What tax preparation services text about
Preparers text appointment confirmations and lists of documents to bring.
Texting from a local number in North Dakota requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Phone system pricing for a 5-person tax preparation office
Tax preparation services in North Dakota average 4.6 employees, so the comparison uses a 5-person team. 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 North Dakota 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.
Area codes in North Dakota
North Dakota has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a tax preparation office can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | 743 | Central and Mountain | 1947 | none |
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.
How Callata works for tax preparation services in North Dakota
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in North Dakota 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 in North Dakota?
40 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 185 people in mid-March.
Which North Dakota metro area has the most tax preparation services?
Fargo, ND-MN, with 17 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 5-person tax preparation office?
$150.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $124.75 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a North Dakota number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.