Individuals and businesses seek the assistance of income tax preparers every year to help them process their tax returns. Anyone with strong mathematical skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while working with people will excel at income tax preparation. If you want to work in a tax or accounting firm and become an income tax preparer, there are numerous ways to obtain the necessary training and skills.
You can begin your career as an income tax preparer taking a free or low-cost income tax preparation course. Major tax preparation companies and schools, both locally and online, offer courses in income tax preparation. For the best opportunities, start looking for tax preparation course announcements late in the fall, several months before the annual tax season begins.
You can work as an income tax preparer after completing extensive coursework and mastering the fundamentals of tax preparation. It is not necessary to have a college degree in accounting to find work, though it may be beneficial in the long run. Many tax preparation firms offer coursework that can lead to entry-level positions after the course is successfully completed to passing standards.
Nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost tax preparation services to low-income and disabled residents in almost every community. You could volunteer with a local organization and work as a tax preparer in your spare time. This will give you more experience and credibility as a tax preparer, as well as a valuable opportunity to give back to your community.
Another route to becoming a tax preparer is to do your own taxes for a few seasons. You should be able to process taxes for others in your network once you are confident in your ability to prepare your own taxes, whether for personal or business purposes. To ensure your safety, obtain an official tax identification number and then offer to process taxes for family and friends using tax preparation software.
If you want to work as a full-time income tax preparer for your own business, you must pass a state licensing exam and obtain an official federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It may be beneficial for you to enroll in financial and tax courses at a college or tax school. You may also decide to pursue an accounting certification or a finance degree in order to advance in your new career.