2010 Taxes – Free Tax Filing Options

Are you interested in helping people keep as much of their money away from the government as you can?  You might want to consider getting a seasonal job and working as a professional tax preparer.  Every year, many large firms who specialize in tax-preparation, like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt will provide the necessary training and offer temporary employment to thousands of people interested in preparing tax returns in various company locations.

From January through April, H&R block will hire approximately 80,000 tax professionals.  Ninety percent of these people will have taken an income tax course offered by the company.  This course is offered each September in both Spanish and English, says Kathy Burlison, H&R Block’s director for tax implantation.  The cost of this course will vary according to location and several offices will even offer specials for those who register early, they will also offer weekend classes.  The course will usually run approximately 11 weeks; there is an accelerated paced version which can be completed in its entirety in a significantly less amount of time.  The entire course course encompasses 69 hours.

The training course offered by Jackson Hewitt usually meets two times a week for a total of six weeks; there is also online training which is either facilitated by an instructor, or self-paced.  A more advanced class lasting nine weeks is available for professional income tax preparation.  Every Jackson Hewitt office will set their own rate for tuition, which frequently is free.  You will need to pay only for supplies and books.

Most of the professionals hired to fill seasonal tax preparation positions come directly from their training classes, it is important to realize though, that simply taking the class will not ensure that you will get a job.  You will need to be hired by H&R Block or a franchise owner of a Jackson Hewitt office.

Flexible Schedules

Many stay-at-home parents, retirees and students like the idea of doing seasonal tax work because the hours are typically not the regular workday of 9 to 5.  Burlison says that the best thing about this type of job is its flexibility.  She says that they are looking for individuals who are talented and who have strong people skills as well as schedules which allow some flexibility including working some evenings, weekends and daytime hours.

Many people who work as season tax preparers have another job in which they are employed year-round.  For these people, working as a tax prepared adds an extra shift during the tax season, so they may be facing a workday that lasts 12 to 14 hours.  However, in spite of the long work hours, tax preparers are often viewed as employees of the retail establishment, so it is important that you are easygoing and have the ability to deal with a variety of different types of personalities.

You will not need to memorize the compete tax code in order to prepare taxes.  Burlison says that they have a computer program which handles all of that.  However, you will need to keep up with the latest changes by taking refresher courses each fall.

Tax professionals with H&R Block are paid according to a commission formula.  They receive an hourly wage (typically starting at about $9 an hour), based on various factors such as the complexity and number of tax returns that you prepare, as well as how long you have been with the company and any extra educational credits that you have earned.

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