What information should I know to be a tax preparer?

I'm looking into this course that trains people.
after a while they start paying you to train more and more but also I believe they kick out the ones who do not show potential so that in the end they are hiring those who can do it the best

I can handle any mathematics
I also am pretty sure I will learn it well but I want to take a look at what it will be like in advance

second question
you think with this type of job I'll probably just get laid off after tax season?

Call H & R Block or Jackson Hewitt about December. They start hiring in January but you must attend a one week training (with pay). Then if you want to learn more, you can take training with them. Eventually you will have to get your "EA" which is an Enrolled Agent, or an expert in Tax.

Here's more info. Good luck. It' will be a good job. Math is not hard. Does NOT go beyond 7 th grade usually.

You should also learn QuickBooks accounting system and be able to maintain books for clients along with your tax practice. You "extend" most returns and file them by October 15th. You have November and December to give tax advice before year end and January you help close all the books before tax season begins again in February.

Hey, you will have so much to do, you wonder when you can have a day off instead of what will you do after tax season. Until you get your bookkeeping business going, you will have to get that EA. Go for it.

1. I would not say taxes are all about math. You have to enter numbers on software but most of the calculations, amortization schedules and so forth are done on the computer, on occasion you need to do calculations with new clients who have depreciable assets or a few other situations but generally it's a quick calcuatlion.

2. Taxes in my opinion are more about theory and understanding what the law is. You won't learn the law right away and every year expect changes, you'll probably get an area of expertise, maybe it will be 1031 exchanges, home sales, or farms, a certain section of the law that can be complicated.

3. I've done taxes for three years. A good portion of people get laid off after tax season. There are two distinct "busy" seasons, mid-January to the end of April and about mid-August to October 15. If you can get in a place that does estates the likelihood of you getting laid off will probably be less. Estates, and some corporations have different due dates than the usual March 15, April 15 deadlines.

Conclusion:
Doing taxes pays well. You'll make a lot of money during April tax season, it's not uncommon for people to walk away with 15k-30k pretty good for 3-4 months of work. The longer you do it, the more you'll get paid. There is some degree of volatility which is part of the reason I'm looking to switch careers (that and taxes are no longer fulfilling for me). Every 4 years when we have a new Presidential election and some politician says "The first thing I'm going to do is put a closed sign on the IRS building" you worry a little. I know Barack Obama's tax plan for example is supposed to be so simple for most people that he is expecting it will save the taxpayers a billion dollars in tax preparation fees. Great for the people, but not too good for places like H&R who thrive on the lower net value clients. And finally, if you can work with a CPA firm that would probably be best. They'll pay you a flat rate, and it's not uncommon for people to get $40/hr.

Best of luck!

If you are in California, Oregon or Maryland, you have to get a state license to prepare returns for money. Competence is not required but is desirable in the rest of the states.

#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#

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15 March, 2010 |

What information should I know to be a tax preparer?