I am interested in doing people's taxes. Right now I am 16 years old, but I am looking forward to next tax season. Even if I cant do it now, what are the steps to becoming a tax preparer? I am looking at learning at a retail chain, such as H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt. I want to freelance work too.
2007-12-02 02:35:00 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
My son was a tax preparer when he was 19 years old working for H & R Block. There is a lot to know about federal taxes and if your state has taxes. I would highly recommend that you learn and work for either H & R Block or Jackson Hewitt. The biggest downfall that will happen to you (because it happen to my son) is your youth. My son did some returns but some potential clients wanted an older person to do their taxes. Sorry but it will happen to you.
2007-12-03 05:33:42 · answer #1 · answered by Gary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can depend on the state and the company you want to work for.
I would suggest that you try to get a part time job as a receptionist at H&R Block this tax season. You'll be able to see how the business works and talk to the tax pros in the office. This will give you a better idea if it's really what you'd like to do.
If you decide it is for you, you'll be able to take the tax course from Block for just $20, instead of $200, because you're an employee.
2007-12-02 03:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by Knightly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start looking to taking accounting and tax classes in college so you can join the major league tax preparers. In the interim, you could call H&R Block and find out if they would let you take their class. It would be a good begining for basic tax preparation work. After that get the study guides for taking the enrolled agent examination. As an enrolled agent, you can officially represent taxpayers. If you are already an enrolled agent when you graduate from college you will look a whole lot more on the ball to an accounting firm recruiter than an ordinary accounting graduate.
2007-12-02 07:53:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The suggestion that you work as a customer service person at a tax preparation place is an excellent one. Apply now for the tax prep places convenient to you. You will learn a bit about the process, and can ask the preparers about their work. Then next Fall you can take the course, probably for free.
2007-12-02 07:04:44 · answer #4 · answered by ninasgramma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was 17 my first time. It was right after I graduated high school, and I am happy with that decision, and I am still with my boyfriend today. Personally, being a virgin is not a turnoff. Just say you are waiting for a special person to lose it to (I know ALOT of girls find that very sweet, and a turn on.) I suffer alot of social anxiety too... and that's one of the reasons I have stayed with my boyfriend for 5 years. Being a 24 year old virgin is NOT a bad thing. My boyfriend was 23 when we first had sex. You will find someone special, because I know alot of guys that jumped on the first chance they had for sex. Good luck Oh, and the age I think it will start to get awkward is probably around 26, or late 20's.
2016-05-27 05:54:21 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. I started preparing tax returns professionally (all by hand back in the day) when I was 14. My Dad was a CPA so I certainly had an upper hand on learning bolstered both by his knowledge and his extensive tax law library but there's no reason why anyone of any age can't get involved in taxation and do well at it.
With reference to the "Doogie Howser" comment, a fair number of my Dad's clients wanted me to do their returns. I wasn't expected to produce nearly as much volume as the other staff and spent my time researching complex tax issues with an eye to reducing taxes legally.
Ultimately I decided that accounting wan't my life's calling and moved on to other interests vocationally but have remained involved in taxation semi-professionally ever since. My practice is limited to a small clutch of long-term clients and volunteer work.
Don't let your age stand in your way! Good luck!
2007-12-02 05:38:24 · answer #6 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you were the Doogie Houser of taxes, I wouldn't let you do *my* taxes. You are simply too young. You will not be able to hide this fact from potential customers.
Older taxpayers often want to run tax law questions past you based on old tax law. I regularly get questions on income averaging, about rolling over capital gains from the sale of the main home, deducting credit card interest, the rate reduction credit, etc. All but one of these is from a tax year older than you are.
2007-12-02 05:08:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are a lot of things to learn ,boy you have some work to
do.
2007-12-02 02:39:32 · answer #8 · answered by thresher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋