If you like numbers, you might decide to become a tax preparer. Whether you are at an early stage of your life where you are figuring out your career or at a later stage when you are pivoting and seeing what you must do to make a living as a tax preparer or induce some extra income. You might want to take some tax classes and if you are one of those people who actually takes the classes, completes the course, then you can become a tax preparer.
Read on to learn more about how to become a tax preparer and kickstart your career.
Becoming a Tax Preparer – A Basic Overview
Becoming a tax preparer is pretty much a straightforward process, which involves a few basic requirements, such as the following:
The Know-How
Yes, you read it right! It all starts with the know-how and understanding of the detailed ins and outs of the entire business of tax preparation. This aspect includes the fact that you will be learning a completely new professional language from scratch. Depending on where you live in which country or region, this know-how might come from certifications. If you live in Canada, you might want to find out about how you can become a tax preparer in canada and gain the much-needed knowledge that can actually increase your know-how and help you fill the knowledge gaps.
Access the Technology
Apart from the know-how, you must also have access to the right technology, as technology can actually contribute to the general success of your tax business and help you work more effectively and efficiently. Similar to most tax professionals today, you will streamline the entire tax preparation process with the help of AI and a software solution. This way, you can not only effectively manage your everyday tasks as a tax preparer but also ensure the future growth of your tax business.
The Clients
Understandably, you should know how to attract tax clients to succeed in your career and become more profitable. As a newbie tax preparer, you will be starting on a small scale, which means that you will be helping individual clients rather than businesses. However, after you have gotten exposure and hands-on experience with individual clients, you will be ready to move on to the bigger clients and their more complicated matters.
The point is that as your knowledge and experience related to taxes grow, so will your potential opportunity to grow as a tax preparer and offer all of your clients more personalized advisory services.
The PTIN
Of course, you want to get paid as a professional tax preparer, which is why you will need your PTIN or preparer tax identification number. So, make sure that you apply for a PTIN and receive a PTIN to kickstart your career. Nonetheless, you should know that the basic IRS requirements for all professional and paid tax preparers include passing the suitability check. Depending on where you live, there might also be additional requirements, such as the EFIN and a state license.
Assess Your Certification Requirements with Intuit
If you want to become a professional tax preparer in Canada, your best bet is to get registered with Intuit and pass all the steps that are required, including certifications, to become a certified tax preparer and officially start your dream career.
