- 1). Apply to a university and declare your major to be accounting. This will require you to take both general business classes and specialized accounting classes dealing with nonprofits, corporations, and personal tax law and ethics.
- 2). Complete an internship with an accounting firm that specializes in the type of tax filing you want to do. If you're interested in nonprofits, work with a firm that handles nonprofit accounts, for example. This experience will help you learn to apply your knowledge outside of the classroom.
- 3). Attend graduate school to get an additional 30 hours of accounting classes. This will allow you to take an exam to be a certified public accountant. Once you're a CPA, you will be well-equipped to handle taxes for anyone, no matter their position, deductions, or the complexity of their return.
- 1). Complete at least a two-year degree at a community college. During this time, learn how to file tax returns through the IRS Volunteer Tax Preparer Program, linked in Resources. Once you've finished, apply to personal accounting firms that offer people personal consultation about their taxes and put the Volunteer Tax Preparer Program on your resume.
- 2). Complete their training program once you're hired. This training doesn't offer the broad range of knowledge you get while training for your CPA, but it will prepare you to handle individual and small business tax returns.
- 3). Work with a tax preparer who has already finished the course and been qualified to handle returns. Watching him or her will give you experience in filing returns and help you learn how to handle problems that may arise during filing.
- 4). Start handling returns for individuals, and as you become more comfortable, work with more complex returns and small businesses. Your firm and the other employees will be able to offer you support and advice as you handle more complicated returns.
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