What tax preparation courses are actually worth taking in 2025?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out how to get some decent training in tax preparation but I have no clue where to start. None of my friends or family know anything about this stuff so I'm kinda lost. For those of you who actually work with taxes or prepare them professionally - what tax preparation courses would you recommend? Is there a specific website or organization that offers the best training? I've seen ads for different programs but can't tell which ones are legit vs just trying to take my money. I'm thinking about maybe doing this as a side gig next tax season but want to make sure I'm properly trained first. Any help would be super appreciated!

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22 comments

Arjun Kurti

•8M

I've been preparing taxes professionally for about 8 years now, and I can tell you there are several good options depending on what you're looking to accomplish. If you want a comprehensive foundation, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is completely free and gives you excellent basic training. You'll learn the fundamentals while helping low-income people file their taxes. It's a win-win because you get practical experience and give back to the community. For more advanced training, I'd highly recommend the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) courses. They offer everything from beginner to advanced levels and keep their material updated with the latest tax code changes. Another solid option is the courses through H&R Block - even if you don't want to work for them, their training is quite thorough. If you're looking for something more academic and potentially want to pursue becoming an Enrolled Agent, the courses offered through Surgent or Gleim are excellent. They're more intensive but will prepare you for the EA exam.

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Arjun Kurti

•8M

The VITA program is perfect for learning how to prepare basic returns for family and friends. You'll learn all the fundamentals about filing status, dependents, common credits like EITC and child tax credits, and basic income reporting. It's definitely enough for simple to moderately complex personal returns. The time commitment varies by location, but typically you'll do about 15-20 hours of training (much of which can be done online at your own pace) and then volunteer for at least 20-40 hours during tax season. Some sites ask for more commitment, others are more flexible. The hands-on experience is invaluable and you'll have experienced volunteers checking your work.

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Margot Quinn

•8M

I struggled with learning tax prep until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been a game changer for my learning process. It's not exactly a course, but more of an AI-powered tool that helped me understand complex tax concepts by analyzing tax documents and explaining everything in simple terms. I used it alongside my formal training and it really helped cement my understanding, especially with the practice scenarios it offers. What's great is you can upload sample tax documents and it breaks down how they should be handled.

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Margot Quinn

•8M

It's primarily a learning tool that teaches concepts by analyzing documents and walking you through how they should be handled properly. It's not just for filing taxes - it explains the underlying tax principles and how they apply to specific situations you might encounter. The explainable AI component really helps bridge the gap between reading tax rules and applying them correctly. The AI is regularly updated to reflect current tax code changes and regulations. You're right that it's not a replacement for comprehensive courses, but it works extremely well as a supplement to reinforce what you're learning elsewhere. I found it especially useful for practicing with different scenarios after completing sections in my formal training.

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Evelyn Kim

•8M

Just wanted to update everyone - I decided to check out taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and wow! It's been super helpful for complementing my VITA training. I was struggling with understanding how different tax situations actually appear on real forms, but being able to upload practice documents and get detailed explanations has made a huge difference. The guided practice scenarios have been amazing for building my confidence before working with actual clients. Definitely recommend using it alongside whatever formal training you choose!

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Henrietta Beasley

•8M

If you're serious about tax prep, don't overlook the importance of having access to IRS support when you need it. I wasted so much time getting bounced around their phone system until I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They basically handle the wait time for you and get you connected to an actual IRS agent who can answer your specific tax law questions. There's a demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c showing how it works. When I was doing my tax courses, being able to get direct clarification from the IRS on confusing topics was invaluable - definitely helped me understand certain concepts better than just reading about them.

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Henrietta Beasley

•8M

Yes, it absolutely works! They use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent finally picks up, you get a call connecting you directly. It's like having someone wait in line for you. When you're learning tax preparation, sometimes you encounter scenarios that aren't clearly covered in course materials or have contradictory information. Being able to get direct clarification from the IRS is incredibly valuable - it's helped me understand nuanced situations that weren't well explained in my courses. This is especially important when tax laws change and some course materials haven't been fully updated yet.

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Faith Kingston

•8M

I need to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr just to prove it wouldn't work. I've been trying to get clarification on a self-employment tax question for WEEKS with no luck. Used their service yesterday and was connected to an IRS tax law specialist in about 35 minutes (without me having to actually wait on the phone). The agent answered my question completely and even emailed me the relevant publication sections. I'm shocked it worked so well. This would have been so helpful when I was taking my initial tax courses last year and struggling with some of the more complex topics.

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Emma Johnson

•8M

Don't sleep on the Annual Federal Tax Refresher course from the IRS! It's part of their Annual Filing Season Program and gives you a really solid overview of what's changed from year to year. I take it every year and it's a great way to stay current. Good foundation if you're just starting out too. Also check with your local community colleges - many offer affordable tax preparation certificate programs that are taught by experienced local tax pros who know their stuff. I started with one of these programs and got way more practical knowledge than some of my colleagues who did fancier online courses.

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Emma Johnson

•8M

There are no prerequisites for the Annual Federal Tax Refresher course - anyone can take it. It's designed to be accessible while covering important updates and fundamentals. Completing the course along with other requirements of the Annual Filing Season Program gives you an IRS Record of Completion, which isn't a certification like EA or CPA, but does allow you to represent clients whose returns you've prepared in certain limited situations with the IRS. It's a good starting credential that shows clients you're committed to maintaining your knowledge. Some clients definitely recognize it, especially if they've had bad experiences with preparers who lack any credentials.

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Arjun Kurti

•8M

Cost is definitely an important consideration! Here's a rough breakdown: VITA training: Completely free, but requires volunteer hours H&R Block: $600-1,200 depending on the package NATP courses: $100-500 per course, with member discounts available EA prep courses: $400-1,500 depending on the provider and package Community college programs: Usually $500-2,000 for a certificate program If you're just testing the waters, I'd start with the free VITA program to get a foundation, then maybe add one targeted course on a specific area that interests you. This approach lets you invest gradually as you determine if tax preparation is right for you.

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AstroAlpha

•4M

Great thread! I just wanted to add that if you're considering the EA route eventually, don't overlook the IRS's own Enrolled Agent Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) materials. They're completely free and available on the IRS website. While they're not structured like a traditional course, they're the actual source material for the exam and incredibly comprehensive. I used them alongside a paid prep course and found the IRS materials actually explained some concepts more clearly than my expensive course did. The Circular 230 regulations and Publication 17 are goldmines for understanding the fundamentals. Also, once you get started with any program, consider joining local tax professional groups or chapters. The networking and continuing education opportunities are invaluable, plus you'll meet people who can mentor you as you're learning. Many of these groups offer monthly meetings with educational sessions that are either free or very low cost for new members.

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