All but one of the officers of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Enrolled Agents a few years back had started their tax preparation careers at H&R Block. Each was then an Enrolled Agent with a business of his or her own. This is a great tribute to H&R Block.
The IRS has a lot of information and training on its website, as well as all the relevant publications, IRS manuals and even tax court decisions and the Internal Revenue Code. It’s a great resource for getting started and maintaining one’s knowledge and certifications. But an important part of learning is interacting with other people either through listening or speaking.
Focus On Form 1040–Individual Tax Returns
H&R Block focuses on individual tax returns. Their extensive training program is aimed at improving their preparer’s knowledge of taxes each and every year, but are also available to the public for a fee.
Within their organization, H&R Block often requires returning preparers to have as many continuing education credits as the IRS requires of an enrolled agent.
Some of the local franchises even recommend experienced preparers retake the basic course every so many years. While not a common practice, when used, it has benefited both H&R Block and the preparers retaking the course. Good tax preparers study all year so that as many things as possible can be on the tip of their tongues at tax time.
It Takes A Few Years To Get Really Good!
“Johnny on the Spot” answers require constant review and learning, An infrequently encountered tax situation may not be fresh in a tax preparer’s mind, causing him or her to say, “Ah, let me double-check on that!” Hesitancy when speaking with a client is something a tax preparer likes like to avoid, both from a client service-confidence perspective and from a time management perspective. Experienced preparers, however, will always double-check if there is any uncertainty or twist to the subject that needs to be clarified. H&R Block encourages them to do so and clients tend to very much appreciate the thoroughness of this type of service.
After four or five years of preparing tax returns, good preparers, who might have once thought he or she knew it all, realize just how much more there is still to learn. Very few beginners know that teachers teaching summer school under 3-month contracts are working a temporary second job in their same profession and, as such, they are entitled to deduct their mileage from home to school and back every day of summer school, if they otherwise have enough tax deductions to itemize. But this is the caliber of training and tax law application one can get from an H&R Block tax course.
Unfortunately, if one does not work for H&R Block, one has to pay good money for any courses taken. However, they are good. The online courses concisely and clearly crystallize the content and key points of the subject, as well as explain the details. Perhaps this new law will lead to more alternatives for tax preparers in selecting their training.
Jeannine Silkey - With over 40 years work experience, Jeannine Silkey has a wealth of practical information for the small business owner. Keeping it simple, ...
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