Tax preparation refers to the process of preparing and filing tax returns with the relevant government authorities, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States.

This involves gathering all necessary financial information, such as income, expenses, and deductions, and using it to calculate the amount of taxes owed or refund due.

Tax preparation can be done by individuals, tax professionals, or through the use of tax preparation software. The goal of tax preparation is to ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, while minimizing the amount of taxes owed.