How to Train for Taxes

Complicated tax forms can be simpler with a little formal education in tax preparation.

Knowing how to file taxes correctly is important to just about everyone. With some simple training and education, you can learn the basics of filling out tax forms, or can take that basic knowledge and further cultivate it into a career in tax preparation or accounting. Courses of study in tax preparation can be taken through major tax preparation firms or through formal education programs at various colleges, community colleges and universities nationwide.

Instructions

1. Take free or paid tax preparation courses. The Internal Revenue Service offers opportunities to learn about tax preparation through its volunteer tax preparer training. Materials can be accessed online or obtained on a CD-ROM that you can use for the purpose of learning the ins and outs of tax preparation, tax law and even conducting quality reviews. Courses are also offered through major tax preparation companies who often need extra help during the tax preparation season. Some of these include H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service.

2. Take courses at your local community college or one that offers training to become a tax preparation specialist. If you are considering a career in tax preparation, check with your state licensing agency to determine whether you need to be licensed to work as a tax preparer. Courses taken through a post-secondary institution can prepare you for licensing requirements. These courses of study are usually much shorter than a typical associate's degree. For instance, the program offered at Georgia Northwest Technical College only requires the completion of 19 credit hours to obtain a certificate indicating your qualification to work as a tax preparer.

3. Obtain a degree in accounting. You can obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting if you want to take your knowledge of tax preparation to the next level. Although you will have to take additional coursework, a degree can be well worth the extra time investment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top professionals in the accounting field made more than $102,380 as of May 2008. Accountants have extensive knowledge of the tax preparation field

4. Train to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The CPA has the most advanced knowledge in the field of tax law and preparation due to extensive training beyond the bachelor's degree. The CPA designation carries a tremendous amount of prestige in the business world and can open up numerous opportunities. Becoming a CPA requires the completion of a minimum of 150 college credit hours and successful passage of a rigorous four-part examination.

References

• Internal Revenue Service: Volunteer Tax Preparer Training
• Accounting Coach: Accounting Degrees
• H&R Block: Income Tax Course
• Degree Directory: Tax Preparer
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Accountants and Auditors

Resources

• National Tax Training School