Winter 2026 Tax Internship- Chicago

As an award-winning firm, Topel Forman has been serving a range of individuals and professionals, to family-owned businesses and corporations for over sixty years, providing accounting, tax, audit, family office, and advisory services. Here you will find the highest level of talent and expertise, along with leadership that cares. Our inclusive culture provides accessibility to professional growth and collaboration that offers a dynamic and engaging work experience.  We are dedicated to offering world-class service to our clients and a top-level professional experience to our employees. We offer a robust benefits package, including well-rounded fringe benefits, and a flexible work environment. A multi-year winner of Top Workplaces, we live by our values of flexibility, integrity, respect, and excellence.

The Winter 2026 Tax Interns in our Chicago office will receive individual, hands-on training from experienced tax professionals in various areas of taxation, tax workpaper documentation, and other projects.

Why Work at TF?

You're not just another face in the crowd.

On day one you will be paired with a tax supervisor or manager who will serve as a mentor and will provide support and guidance throughout your entire internship. Additionally, each intern is paired with a buddy, usually a tax associate, who has been through our internship program. Your buddy serves as an additional resource for you during the internship. Our leadership including partners and managers care that you experience growth during your time here.

Each intern has a similar experience as a first-year associate, working on projects that are made up of real compliance work that directly benefits our clients and our firm.

Any intern that joins the firm full-time after their internship will have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of areas. From here, you can navigate your personal career path based on your own interests. Start your career at Topel Forman today!

Time Commitment

Our winter internship is a full-time internship paid at a rate of $32 per hour.  There could be additional overtime through the course of your internship depending on workflow. Your availability will be discussed during the interview process.

Our winter internship will begin in mid-January and conclude in mid-April of 2026. We recommend no more than 1 or 2 classes during your internship to ensure both your success in the internship and your schoolwork does not suffer.

Essential Functions

Tax

• Prepare a variety of tax returns which may include: 1099, individual, and/or trust returns to meet government requirements and client expectations
• Maintain a working knowledge of individual tax laws
• Prepare individual tax extensions to ensure proper tax planning for the client
• Maintain a working knowledge of tax preparation software used in the office
• Perform other accounting duties as necessary to meet the responsibilities of the position and client expectations

General

• Identify and communicate tax and accounting issues to senior associates, supervisors, and managers
• Demonstrating flexibility in prioritizing, and completing tasks
• Proactively seeking guidance, clarification, and feedback
• Learn about the firm – get to know partners/managers, services provided, specialties of individuals, key clients and industries served
• Build communication skills: practice business writing (clear workpapers and emails), working with other professionals, and feeling comfortable in business situations.

Required Education and Experience

Energetic, Team-Oriented applicants should be an Accounting major proficient in Microsoft Office applications.  Attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and communicate effectively are all essential to this position.

Hybrid Work Internet Policy 

Internet requirements for working hybrid: We require an internet plan with the following minimum upload and download speeds for best connection: 200+ Mbps download and 20+ Mbps upload. Home Wi-Fi should be password protected.