Started as HR Block tax preparer with no tax courses - am I really supposed to prepare returns?

This is unfortunately quite common at some tax preparation chains. What you're describing is a "tax preparer assistant" role where you're basically doing data entry, not actual tax preparation. The qualified preparers review your work and handle the technical aspects. While it's not ideal, it's not completely unusual either. Those big tax chains hire lots of assistants during tax season to handle the volume. But they should have been much clearer about your role and provided basic training on the software and intake process. Since you're not authorized to prepare returns (meaning you don't have a PTIN - Preparer Tax Identification Number), you're correctly not signing anything. The licensed preparers take legal responsibility for the accuracy.

I went through a similar situation last year and discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which helped me learn fast on the job. It's a tool that analyzes tax documents and transcripts so you understand what you're looking at. Really saved me when I was in your exact situation at Liberty Tax. I could input client info with confidence after using it because it explained which forms were relevant and why.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. It's been super helpful for understanding what I'm looking at when clients bring in forms I've never seen before. Yesterday someone brought in a 1099-R and I had no idea what it was, but I was able to figure it out quickly. Definitely building my confidence as I learn the ropes of tax preparation!

My advice - if you're struggling to get answers from the senior preparers, try calling the IRS directly with your questions. I had to do that when I worked at Jackson Hewitt. Use https://claimyr.com or watch their demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it gets you through to an actual IRS agent without waiting on hold for hours. I called them whenever I had technical questions my supervisors couldn't answer, and it saved me so much stress.

I have to eat my words! I was the skeptic above who thought Claimyr sounded like a scam, but I got desperate with a client question about education credits yesterday and tried it. It actually worked! Got through to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes (without me having to stay on hold). The agent confirmed the info I needed about education credit documentation. Saved me from giving potentially wrong advice to my client.

Former HR Block district manager here. What you're describing is actually their "Client Service Professional" role, not a tax preparer position. CSPs handle intake and data entry, while the actual tax preparation and review is done by certified preparers. The company should have been clearer about the role and provided better training on the systems. Ask your office leader about their online learning portal - there are basic modules that can help you understand the intake process better.

I worked at HR Block for 5 tax seasons. Here's some real talk: what you're experiencing is normal but not ideal. During busy season they're desperate for people to handle the volume. You can use this to your advantage though! I started as a CSP with zero knowledge and by my third season was a tax professional making decent money.

I went through something very similar when I started at a different tax prep chain last year! The lack of training was honestly shocking - they threw me right into client meetings without even explaining the basic software. What helped me was being upfront with clients about my role. I started saying something like "I'm going to gather all your information and get everything entered, then one of our tax professionals will review everything with you and handle any questions." Most clients were actually fine with this once they understood the process. Also, don't be afraid to take notes during your shifts about things you don't understand, then look them up later or ask the senior preparers when they're not swamped. I kept a little notebook of common forms and what they meant. It gets easier once you see the same situations a few times! The good news is this experience will actually teach you a lot about real-world tax situations that you won't get in textbooks. Just remember - you're doing data entry, not making tax decisions, so don't stress too much about being the expert.

I'm a tax professional who's been in the industry for over a decade, and I want to assure you that what you're experiencing is unfortunately very common during tax season. The big chains often hire temporary staff as "intake specialists" or "client service professionals" without being completely transparent about the role. Here's what you should know: You are NOT preparing tax returns - you're doing data collection and entry. The actual tax preparation, review, and legal responsibility falls on the enrolled agents, CPAs, or other qualified preparers who review your work. This is why you can't sign returns or give tax advice. My advice: 1) Ask your manager for access to any training modules they have, even basic ones about common forms. 2) Create a simple reference sheet of the most common forms you see (W-2, 1099s, etc.) and what they're for. 3) Be transparent with clients about your role - something like "I'll be gathering your information today, and then one of our tax professionals will review everything with you." The silver lining is that this exposure to real tax documents and situations will be incredibly valuable for your accounting degree. You're learning practical application that many students don't get. Just remember - when in doubt, always defer to the qualified preparer. Better to ask too many questions than to make assumptions about tax law.