Every January, someone tells a room full of people that preparing taxes is easy money. Then April happens. Here is the honest version.
The paperwork part is the small part
- You need a PTIN from the IRS before you prepare a return for compensation.
- Some states add their own registration on top of that.
- If you want to be listed in the IRS directory as a participant, the Annual Filing Season Program has a continuing education requirement.
The part that decides whether you last
Software, a workflow, a way to collect documents securely, a review habit, and somebody experienced to call when a return does not look right. Most new preparers have the license and none of the rest, and that is where the first season goes sideways.
What training should include
- Real returns, not slides only.
- Due diligence and documentation habits from day one.
- A mentor who has signed returns before.
- A plan for what you do in year two.
The HB Academy is an IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider, SGOXP. Refund2Income includes over 40 hours of instruction, including the full 18-hour AFSP continuing education requirement.
Who this is honestly for
People who like detail, who can hold a deadline, and who want a skill they can use every season. If that is you, come look at the program and ask hard questions on the call.