Tax Specialist - College Athlete NIL Tax Returns (1099 Contractor)

About Proven

Proven provides fractional CFO, CHRO, CMO, COO services, outsourced accounting, and HR support to growth-stage companies. We're expanding our services to address the unique tax needs of college athletes.

Position Overview

We're seeking an experienced tax professional to join us as a 1099 contractor specializing in tax preparation and planning for college athletes receiving NIL income. This is an emerging market with significant growth potential as thousands of student-athletes navigate complex multi-state tax obligations for the first time.

The Opportunity

College athletes are now receiving substantial NIL payments but face unique challenges:

- Income reported on 1099 forms with no withholding

- Multi-state tax obligations based on game schedules (similar to professional athletes)

- Limited financial knowledge and family support

- Need for estimated tax planning and quarterly payments

This role offers the opportunity to build a specialized practice serving a growing market with guaranteed payment through our partnerships.

Responsibilities

- Prepare federal and multi-state tax returns for college athletes receiving NIL income

- Calculate state tax obligations based on athletic schedules and game locations

- Develop estimated tax payment schedules and withholding recommendations

- Create templates and systems for efficient, scalable tax preparation

- Advise athletes and families on tax planning strategies

- Coordinate with NIL agencies for payment deduction and processing

- Build repeatable processes as the practice scales

Requirements

- Active CPA, EA (Enrolled Agent), or tax attorney credential

- 3+ years of tax preparation experience

- Experience with multi-state tax returns

- Proficiency with tax preparation software (TurboTax Professional, ProSeries, Lacerte, or similar)

Strong understanding of:

- 1099 income taxation

- State income tax allocation rules

- Estimated tax requirements

- Self-employment tax considerations

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with professional athlete tax returns or multi-state taxation

- Familiarity with apportionment rules for athletes/entertainers

- Knowledge of NCAA sports and college athletic schedules

- Experience building scalable tax preparation systems

- Comfort working with young adults and families with limited tax knowledge