Learn more about free income tax courses and certification programs for job seekers. Also, get the scoop on tax preparer job requirements at Intuit to see if you have the right qualifications.
Tax preparers are professionals who help clients file their taxes and ensure they get the maximum refund. They are also responsible for preparing and submitting required forms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of their clients. Tax preparers work in a variety of settings, including accounting firms, banks, insurance companies, and other businesses that deal with taxes regularly.
Gaining a certificate from an accredited school or program can boost your profile when applying for tax return preparer jobs. Both online and traditional schools offer tax preparation classes. But online classes, such as those that Intuit offers, tend to be more accessible than traditional schools.
This article will focus on your education options, including free tax preparation classes, certification courses, and continuing education. These training and certificate programs can open doors of opportunities for you to land a job with Intuit, one of the largest employers of tax and accounting professionals in the US. So, let’s dive in.
What is a tax preparation course?
Tax preparation classes help you learn how to prepare tax returns as a professional. This important skill can benefit your career and be a rewarding part-time role. Many platforms offer courses online or in person, allowing you to learn in the environment that suits you best.
Attending an in-person class is the best option if you prefer hands-on training and instructor interaction. But if you feel more comfortable learning at home at your own pace or if personal circumstances prevent you from attending classes regularly, an online course might be the right choice.
Our free tax course: Intuit Academy
Intuit Academy is for those interested in a career as a financial services professional. Whether you are just starting out or want to switch careers, Intuit Academy programs can help.
Our transformative learning experiences focus on preparing you to earn a certification that helps you stand out from the crowd. The Intuit Academy offers two foundational online courses:
- Tax Level 1 (18 hours long) focuses on tax fundamentals. It’ll teach you how to prepare income tax returns and maximize credits and deductions.
- Tax Level 2 (20 hours long) covers more complex tax topics. You’ll learn how to file more intricate federal tax returns for people who are self-employed, own property, and have pensions. This course will help you prepare for Tax Associate or Senior Tax Associate roles.
Best of all, students can attend these world-class tax preparation classes for free. Learn at your own pace and launch into a rewarding career with the potential to last a lifetime.
What happens after you attend the tax course?
After each tax preparer course, you must take a 1.5- to 3-hour Intuit Academy Tax examination. After successfully passing both tax level exams, you’ll earn the following digital badges:
- Intuit Academy Tax Exam – Level 1
- Intuit Academy Tax Exam – Level 2
You can list these certifications on your resume or online career profile. Earning a Tax Level 1 and Tax Prep program badge will help you qualify for jobs and stand out to recruiters when you apply for Tax Specialist and Tax Associate positions.
Additional education
National and state tax laws are constantly changing. Continuing education programs offer tax preparers a way to stay current on new tax regulations. Tax professionals must complete continuing education courses regularly to keep their licenses active.
Continuing education courses usually aren’t necessary for graduation from a school or program. However, many employers require employees to take these courses to maintain their licenses or certifications.
Other free tax preparation courses
For more in-depth training, there are a few online course options that can earn you a tax preparer certification. These programs provide proof from an accredited school or organization that you have met the highest tax curriculum standards.
In addition to proving you have the necessary skills to be successful in this field, it shows potential employers that you are worth hiring. These classes on tax preparation cover more in-depth topics, such as:
- Federal income tax preparation
- Payroll taxes
- Business entity taxes
- Sales and use taxes
- Estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes
- Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
- Tax planning
As an aspiring financial professional, you’ll interact with the IRS often. The agency offers the following tax preparation classes to help familiarize you with IRS best practices and software to help you better serve your clients.
IRS VITA Program
If you want a free tax preparation course, check out the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA offers free tax preparation services through local nonprofits and community organizations. You’ll receive online training materials on how to use IRS software, and when you complete the course, you’ll receive a certificate showing your credentials.
IRS Annual Filing Season Program
The IRS offers the Annual Filing Season Program to recognize the efforts of noncredentialed return preparers who aspire to a higher level of professionalism. Upon completing this online course, participants are included in a public database of return preparers on the IRS website.
Build your career with a tax job at Intuit
Receiving a badge from Intuit Academy allows you to apply for a position as a Tax Associate. Intuit Academy will enable you to download a badge proving that you successfully completed the course and exam. Once you get a badge from Intuit Academy, a recruiter will contact you to discuss career opportunities. Here are the positions currently available for you to apply for.
Tax Associate (Remote/Seasonal)
- A minimum of 2 seasons of paid tax preparation experience (with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year) is required.
- You must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- You possess excellent customer service skills and are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes.
- An IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is required.
Credentialed Tax Expert (Remote/Seasonal)
- A minimum of 2 seasons of paid tax preparation experience (with a minimum of 30 tax returns per tax year) is required.
- You must possess an active, unrestricted credential: enrolled agent (EA), certified public accountant (CPA), or practicing attorney with strong tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws.
- You must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- You possess excellent customer service skills and are excited to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- You are passionate about helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation, and you’re committed to enhancing our brand by delighting our customers and empowering them to prepare their taxes.
- An active PTIN is required.
Business Tax Associate (Remote/Seasonal)
- You have 3 or more years of experience preparing federal and state business tax returns (1065 and/or 1120-S) for at least 20 clients/customers per season for compensation.
- You must possess or be able to obtain any related state licenses, certificates, permits, or bonds.
- You must commit to a minimum schedule of at least 20 hours/week (minimum 4-hour shift increments) throughout the tax season.
- Strong customer service skills are required—including the ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- An active PTIN is required.
Business Tax Expert (Remote/Seasonal)
- You have a minimum of 3 years of experience preparing federal and state business tax returns (1065 and/or 1120-S) for at least 20 clients/customers per season for compensation.
- You must possess an active, unrestricted credential: EA, CPA, or practicing attorney with strong business tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws.
- You must possess or be able to obtain any related state licenses, certificates, permits, or bonds.
- You must commit to a minimum schedule of at least 20 hours/week (minimum 4-hour shift increments) throughout the tax season.
- Strong customer service skills are required—including the ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- An active PTIN is required.
Join our Talent Community
As a member of Intuit’s Talent Community, you’ll have access to a wealth of industry information, from job openings to educational resources. You can even network with other professionals in your field who share your passion for helping others.
If you are thinking about becoming a tax preparer, consider taking online tax preparation classes. Since tax laws change year after year, programs like the Intuit Academy Tax Level 1 course can help you earn your initial tax preparer requirements.
Sign up for a class today, or join our Talent Community to start gathering tax preparation resources. If you are ready to work, you can start the process today by applying for Intuit’s tax associate or tax expert roles!
This guide is part of our larger series on becoming a tax preparer. In addition to what tax preparation classes you may need, discover what career paths you can pursue, what salary you can expect, and more by browsing our additional resources.