Is it possible to learn US tax law just by using online forums and practicing with mock returns?

I've been contemplating a career change into tax preparation, but formal education is expensive right now. I'm wondering if it's feasible to learn enough about US tax laws and regulations just by participating in tax forums, reading IRS publications, and practicing with mock tax returns? I've already started reading through some tax subreddits and websites like Reddit's tax community and a few others. I've also downloaded some tax preparation software to play around with creating fictional scenarios. But I'm not sure if this approach will give me enough knowledge to eventually prepare returns professionally. Has anyone here successfully learned tax preparation this way? Or is formal education/certification absolutely necessary? I'm particularly concerned about understanding the nuances of different deductions, credits, and how to handle more complex situations like self-employment or investment income.

0 coins

18 comments

Sergio Neal

•8M

You definitely can learn a lot about taxes through self-study, but there are some important things to consider. The IRS actually offers free tax courses and materials through their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These resources are designed to train volunteers but contain solid foundational knowledge. Their Publication 17 is basically the tax bible for individual returns. Forums are great for specific scenarios and real-world applications, but they can sometimes contain incorrect information or outdated advice. Make sure you're verifying what you learn against official IRS publications. The IRS website has incredibly detailed guidance on almost every tax situation. Mock returns are extremely valuable practice! Start with simple scenarios and gradually add complexity. This hands-on approach will help reinforce what you're learning.

0 coins

Sergio Neal

•8M

The VITA materials are an excellent foundation, but to prepare taxes professionally, you should look into becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) or getting PTIN registration at minimum. EAs are federally-licensed tax practitioners who can represent clients before the IRS. The exam is challenging but entirely self-study friendly using IRS materials. For paid preparation, you legally need a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS, which is straightforward to obtain. Many successful preparers start with self-study and the Annual Filing Season Program, which gives you limited representation rights.

0 coins

Savanna Franklin

•8M

I was in your exact position about 3 years ago! I started using https://taxr.ai to help understand complex tax scenarios I was finding in forums. It was incredibly helpful because it would analyze tax documents and show me exactly how different scenarios worked out. The best thing about taxr.ai was that I could upload sample tax situations from forums and get clear explanations about why certain deductions or credits applied (or didn't). It helped bridge the gap between theory and practice for me.

0 coins

Savanna Franklin

•8M

The accuracy has been spot-on in my experience - it uses the same tax logic as professional software but explains things in plain English. It doesn't just give you numbers, it actually walks through why certain deductions apply and which tax forms are needed for different situations. Regarding state taxes, it handles both federal and state issues, including California's unique rules. It specifically points out where state rules differ from federal, which was super helpful when I was learning the differences between itemizing on federal versus state returns.

0 coins

Amy Fleming

•8M

Just wanted to follow up - I tried https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and wow, it's been a game-changer for my self-study! I uploaded some complex scenarios involving rental property depreciation that I was struggling to understand, and it broke everything down step by step. The explanations highlighted exactly which parts of the tax code applied and why. This has been way more educational than just reading forums where people sometimes give contradicting advice without citing sources. I feel like I'm actually understanding the "why" behind tax calculations now rather than just memorizing rules.

0 coins

Alice Pierce

•8M

If you're serious about learning taxes properly, you'll eventually need to talk to the IRS directly with specific questions. Problem is, getting through to them is nearly impossible these days with hold times of 2+ hours! I started using https://claimyr.com to skip the wait times and it's been incredibly helpful for my tax education. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Instead of waiting for hours, they call the IRS for you and then call you once they have an agent on the line. I've used it several times to clarify specific tax questions I couldn't find clear answers to online, and speaking directly with IRS agents has filled in a lot of knowledge gaps for me.

0 coins

Alice Pierce

•8M

It's not sketchy at all - they use an automated system that dials and navigates the IRS phone tree continuously until they get through. They don't need your personal info to do this part. Once they have an agent on the line, they call you and connect you directly to that agent. It's completely legitimate. I was doubtful at first too, but the IRS system is first-come-first-served. Claimyr basically waits in line for you using technology. I've saved countless hours this way, and the direct conversations with IRS agents have clarified many complex tax questions that forums couldn't answer definitively.

0 coins

Ivanna St. Pierre

•8M

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. I tried it yesterday because I had a question about home office deductions for self-employed taxpayers that I couldn't find a clear answer to online. I expected it to be a waste of money, but they actually got me through to an IRS tax law specialist in about 25 minutes (while I was just going about my day). The agent clarified exactly how to calculate and document home office expenses properly, including some nuances about the simplified vs. regular method that weren't clear from online sources. This one conversation taught me more about this specific deduction than hours of forum reading. If you're serious about learning tax law, getting direct answers from the source is invaluable. Apologies for being so skeptical!

0 coins

Elin Robinson

•8M

Don't forget about professional tax textbooks! I'm self-taught and found the J.K. Lasser tax guides incredibly helpful alongside online resources. Check your local library - they often have current tax guides you can borrow for free. The big advantage of textbooks over forums is structure. Forums are great for specific questions, but textbooks give you the big picture and connections between different tax concepts. I recommend starting with a comprehensive guide, then using forums to dive deeper into specific areas.

0 coins

Elin Robinson

•8M

I found it most helpful to start with the basics of filing status and income recognition, then move to adjustments to income (above-the-line deductions), then standard vs. itemized deductions, and finally credits. This follows the flow of a 1040 form which helped me understand how everything connects. After mastering individual returns, I branched out to self-employment, investments, and rental property. The key is building from simple to complex - master W-2 employee returns before tackling Schedule C business income or Schedule E rental property.

0 coins