How to Find a Travel Therapy CPA

A CPA who specializes in travel healthcare handles these issues daily. They know which questions to ask, which deductions you're missing, and how to structure your withholdings and estimated payments to minimize your liability. The tax home rules alone can change your tax bill a lot — getting it right matters.

Experience with travel healthcare professionals. Not just "healthcare" — specifically travel nurses, travel therapists, or traveling allied health. They should understand the staffing agency model, stipend structures, and temporary assignment tax rules.

Knowledge of multi-state filing. They should be comfortable filing in 3-5+ states per year and understanding reciprocity agreements, credits, and state-specific rules.

Willingness to educate you. A good CPA doesn't just file your return — they explain your tax home obligations, advise on estimated payments, and help you plan ahead. You should feel smarter about your taxes after every conversation.

Availability for questions year-round. Tax planning isn't just an April activity. You need someone you can call in July when you're deciding whether to extend at a location past 12 months.

"How many travel therapy or travel nursing clients do you have?" — The answer should be dozens or more. If you'd be their first, keep looking.

"Can you explain the tax home rules?" — They should answer confidently and thoroughly without looking it up.

"How do you handle multi-state filing?" — They should describe the process fluently.

"What's your fee for a travel therapy return?" — Ask for the fee in writing; it depends on complexity. If they quote general rates without asking about your travel situation, they may not understand the scope.

"Do you provide tax planning advice or just preparation?" — You want both. Preparation is filing your return; planning is advising on estimated payments, tax home structure, and state selection. To give your CPA a real offer to plan around, ask a recruiter for one with every line shown: Find my next contract.

Travel therapy community recommendations. Facebook groups and forums for travel therapists frequently discuss CPA recommendations. Ask who other travelers use — word of mouth is the most reliable source.

Your staffing agency. Some agencies have referral lists of CPAs who work with their travelers. These CPAs already understand the agency's pay structure and W-2 format.

Online directories. Search for "travel nurse CPA" or "travel healthcare tax professional" — CPAs who serve travel nurses also serve travel therapists, and the tax issues are identical. Whoever you find, check the preparer's credentials before you hire them.

Cost: Ask for a written fee quote for a travel therapy return with multi-state filing. More complex situations (self-employment income, investments, married filing jointly with a non-traveling spouse) cost more.

If you provide organized documents (W-2s, 1099s, expense records), it goes faster.

Documents they'll need: W-2s from all agencies, 1099s for any other income, tax home documentation (lease, utility bills), professional expense records, state work log (dates and income per state), estimated payment records.