Has anyone done the "tax school" at one of the big preparers?

[Leader of the Club]

Greetings DIS friends!

I was wondering if anyone has ever done the "tax school" at H*R Block or Jackson Hewitt AND actually gotten a seasonal tax gig.

Thanks!

 

[pklein09]

I did the tax school with H&R Block. I thought I would get a seasonal job with them and decided against it. I think if I wanted a job there, I would have been hired without any problems. One of the reasons was their pricing...I thought it was high. I ended up going into business for myself. While I don't make a "killing," I make enough for some extras and I've met an lot of wonderful people in my town/township. Another reason was trying to get a job in the location in my town...there wasn't an opening. They wanted me to drive 30+ minutes to a different location. Because I would have been doing this in the evenings and on weekends, I would be driving at night on possibly icy/snowy roads. I did not want a long commute; I wanted to be right in town.

As for the education, I thought it was good. My instructor was very knowledgeable. I've been in business for myself since 2004. I'll sit for the IRS exam in October, and I don't think I'll have any problems passing it.

Good luck!

 

[scanmom]

I haven't, but my sis and bro in law did- they opened a JH store, then another, and now own over 800 stores. Yes, they have done VERY well. But, they worked hard and they deserve it.

 

[theducksdidit]

I found a full time instead, but a few months ago I was interested in doing it so I went online to their website and applied that way. Instead of having to take school I just went ahead and took the test and passed. I've been doing my own taxes and family and friends' for a few years though.

 

[Pembo]

I took the class and got a job. I didn't make much money though and I too thought H&R Block prices were way too high.

However, I learned a lot about taxes!

 

[wannabee]

I did this last year. I think they hired everyone who passed the class. I made very little money ... I don't plan to return this year. I did learn a lot.

 

[plummer925]

My husband did the H&R Block class and worked for them (seasonally) for 6 years. He made only "okay" money but got a nice bonus at the end of each season (I am thinking his lowest was $2000 and highest was over $6000 - bonuses are based on volume). He no longer works for them - it was a very stressful job.

 

[Poohbug]

I have taken the H&R class and worked one season. I think they will try hard to employ everyone who takes the class. Unfortunately, I was in a very slow office and did not get as much experience as I would have liked. The money starting out is low (min. wage) but they are good about working around your schedule. You earn your money in the bonus at the end of tax season, the bonus will depend on how many returns and the types of returns you filed during the season.

My Mom has worked for H&R for around 20 years. It works great for her. She can pick her hours, she has a great clientele built up, her bonus is pretty good and she can collect UI for the rest of the year. This is still not a wage most people could live on but being retired and having no debt, she can pay all her bills with her earnings. I don't think she uses her retirement money at all unless an emergency comes up.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I did the tax school with H&R Block. I thought I would get a seasonal job with them and decided against it. I think if I wanted a job there, I would have been hired without any problems. One of the reasons was their pricing...I thought it was high. I ended up going into business for myself. While I don't make a "killing," I make enough for some extras and I've met an lot of wonderful people in my town/township. Another reason was trying to get a job in the location in my town...there wasn't an opening. They wanted me to drive 30+ minutes to a different location. Because I would have been doing this in the evenings and on weekends, I would be driving at night on possibly icy/snowy roads. I did not want a long commute; I wanted to be right in town.

As for the education, I thought it was good. My instructor was very knowledgeable. I've been in business for myself since 2004. I'll sit for the IRS exam in October, and I don't think I'll have any problems passing it.

Good luck!

What is the IRS exam?

 

[mom2alix]

What is the IRS exam?

In order to be a tax preparer, you have to have a PTIN, which is a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Now in order to maintain your PTIN, you have to pass an exam and complete 12 hours of CPE (continuing education) each year. Here's the link to info on irs.gov

http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=248902,00.html

 

[pklein09]

In order to be a tax preparer, you have to have a PTIN, which is a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Now in order to maintain your PTIN, you have to pass an exam and complete 12 hours of CPE (continuing education) each year. Here's the link to info on irs.gov

http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=248902,00.html

In addition to the PTIN and CPE credits, if you want to electronically file returns (which is highly encouraged, and in some cases, required), you need an EFIN (electronic filing identification number) as well. This requires that you to be finger printed.

 

[DisneyEater]

So what are the total dollars you will likely make (average) doing this? Is it enough to pay for my vacation? I assume you work Feb-Apr nights and weekends?

 

[taylorcpa]

I did this a long time ago for one season. I only worked after my regular job and on Saturdays for only about six weeks starting early to mid January. I got a bonus based on how many returns I did and got a larger bonus for the ones that wanted rapid refund.

Honestly, I felt so bad for what H&R Block charged people to do the rapid refund. I mean, can you not just wait two weeks for your refund rather than pay an outrageous fee to get it in two days?

Anyway, it was good experience for me and since then I went back to school and am now a CPA.

 

[tggrbuny]

I worked at the IRS for 5 years. After I left, I needed to earn some extra money so I attended Block's classes and then worked for them for three seasons. Back then, you had to take the class regardless of background.

The class was well taught and covered all the basic issues of personal returns. Frankly, I think more people should take the class just so they will understand the system better. The software that you will use in the office is easy to follow and helps you assist the client through common issues. If someone arrives with a complicated return, Block will not let a "first year" work on it. (That rule did not apply to me and I got some really weird things thrown at me some times. There is no way Block training could have thought of some of things that people were trying to deduct!)

The people were nice, the hours were long and I was often embarrassed to look someone in the eye and say "that will 500.00, please"

The pay is low. About $8.50 something an hour, and you work towards a bonus based on the total of the charges that you generate…ie the higher the fee, the larger your bonus. Bonus is paid in May.

In addition to having a Ptin and taking the CPE classes, tax return preparers can work toward the requirement to take an enrolled agent exam. This is a big deal, similiar to an accountant taking the CPA exam. Enrolled agents can represent taxpayers the IRS and even in tax court.

If you only want to try it once, it might be a good way to earn some money towards your disney trip. If you become good at, built a client base and upsell you could finance a trip every year off the money earned. You will get out of it what you put into it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I worked at the IRS for 5 years.

I just started my 6th year here *IRS

In addition to having a Ptin and taking the CPE classes, tax return preparers can work toward the requirement to take an enrolled agent exam. This is a big deal, similiar to an accountant taking the CPA exam. Enrolled agents can represent taxpayers the IRS and even in tax court.

Yep, I deal with C reps *enrolled agents* as well as A - attorney, B - CPA and several others every day ~ see here and here If you're an H or an I rep, which I'm guessing most H&R Block preparers are a 2848 is hard to get *return must be under exam and prepared by you* if I were an H or I I'd use the 8821

If you can become an enrolled agent and yes you may as well be a CPA, you're good to go on the 2848.

 

[kcrew]

Regarding H & R Block I have worked there for 16 years so I will be happy to answer any questions. If you pass the course, they will hire you as that is the purpose of the course. You will indeed make little better than minimum wage when you start and the hours that you are given will be highly variable depending on the need in your particular area. You will more than likely get quite limited hours--if you are lucky it could be full time for a couple of weeks when it is busy (depending on your availability), but most of the season you will get only a handful of hours. There is NO LONGER a bonus for 1st year associates so your hourly wage is what you get. Frankly, it is not a great job when you start out, and the percentage of 1st years that return is pretty low. Could you make enough for a vacation? Frankly I find it very doubtful.

 

[Lehuaann]

I did the tax school with H&R Block. I thought I would get a seasonal job with them and decided against it. I think if I wanted a job there, I would have been hired without any problems. One of the reasons was their pricing...I thought it was high. I ended up going into business for myself. While I don't make a "killing," I make enough for some extras and I've met an lot of wonderful people in my town/township. Another reason was trying to get a job in the location in my town...there wasn't an opening. They wanted me to drive 30+ minutes to a different location. Because I would have been doing this in the evenings and on weekends, I would be driving at night on possibly icy/snowy roads. I did not want a long commute; I wanted to be right in town.

As for the education, I thought it was good. My instructor was very knowledgeable. I've been in business for myself since 2004. I'll sit for the IRS exam in October, and I don't think I'll have any problems passing it.

Good luck!

Does H&R Block still allow individuals to go into business for themself after attending their tax school?

Seems like I read somewhere that they prohibited it...but maybe the rules applied to employees only, not students?

Just wondering since I am looking into going to school to get my accounting degree...or just going through tax school/EA.

 

[pklein09]

Does H&R Block still allow individuals to go into business for themself after attending their tax school?

Seems like I read somewhere that they prohibited it...but maybe the rules applied to employees only, not students?

Just wondering since I am looking into going to school to get my accounting degree...or just going through tax school/EA.

When I attended their school, there was no requirement to work for them. I never interviewed with them, so there was no assumption on their part that I would work for them. I've never heard that a person couldn't go into business for themselves, and I guess I'm proof.

Itj's possible H&R Block may have requirements of their employees to not go into business for themselves and take clients with them. I honestly don't know.

 

[Lehuaann]

It might just be employees then...something like they aren't allowed to work for anyone else or take clients for x amount of years. I need to look into it more.

But I love what you did, and hope to do the same for myself. H&R Block called me last night about enrolling into their school, but I'm still trying to decide what's the best route for me at my age...being close to 40 and all. I've been doing the family taxes for several years so I know I can do this...

 

[pklein09]

It might just be employees then...something like they aren't allowed to work for anyone else or take clients for x amount of years. I need to look into it more.

But I love what you did, and hope to do the same for myself. H&R Block called me last night about enrolling into their school, but I'm still trying to decide what's the best route for me at my age...being close to 40 and all. I've been doing the family taxes for several years so I know I can do this...

I started very, very small (12 clients my first year) at age 36. I had also been doing family taxes for several years. Go for it!