Which tax preparation course is actually worth the money?

Do the H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt courses actually help you get hired by them afterward? Or are you mostly on your own finding work? Also, how much can someone expect to make their first tax season?

H&R Block definitely uses their course as a recruiting pipeline, and they often offer top performers from the class positions for the upcoming tax season. It's not guaranteed employment, but it does give you a foot in the door. Their compensation structure has changed over the years, but first-year preparers typically make between $11-$15 per hour plus small bonuses based on return volume and complexity. As for finding work elsewhere, you'll need more than just their certificate to be competitive. You'll want to demonstrate accuracy, efficiency, and solid customer service skills. First-year earnings vary widely depending on your location and how many hours you work during season, but $3,000-$6,000 is reasonable for your first tax season working part-time.

Does it work for business returns too? I have an LLC with some fairly complicated expenses and deductions. Been thinking about taking a tax prep course specifically to better handle my business taxes.

I'm skeptical of these AI tax tools. How does it compare to working with an actual enrolled agent or CPA? I'm worried about accuracy and audit risk with automated systems.

It definitely works for small business returns, including Schedule C for sole proprietors and partnership returns. I have a rental property plus a side business and it handled both perfectly. It's especially good at categorizing business expenses properly and finding legitimate deductions you might not know about. Regarding accuracy, I understand the concern - I was skeptical too. What gives me confidence is that it actually shows you which tax rules apply to your specific situation and explains the reasoning. It's not just giving you answers but showing its work. The company also offers audit protection, though I haven't needed to use that feature. Many users report that it's actually more thorough than their previous preparers because it systematically checks for every possible deduction.

How exactly does this service work? Doesn't sound possible to skip the IRS phone queue when so many people are trying to get through.

Yeah right. The IRS phone lines are a nightmare by design. No way there's a "special line" or something to bypass the system. This sounds like yet another scam targeting desperate taxpayers.

It doesn't skip the queue - that's the brilliant part. Their system essentially waits in line for you. It uses automated technology to navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold, then when an actual human IRS agent picks up, it calls your phone and connects you directly. You don't have to sit there listening to the hold music for hours. I was definitely skeptical too, which is why I waited until peak season when hold times were 2+ hours to try it. I figured if it didn't work, I'd just be in the same position I was already in. But it worked exactly as advertised - I went about my day, and about 1.5 hours later my phone rang and I was connected to an IRS representative. The time savings alone made it worthwhile, especially during busy season when every minute counts.

That's really interesting, I hadn't heard of the VITA program before. Do they offer this year-round or just during tax season? And would I be able to use this certification professionally or is it strictly for volunteer work?

The training is typically available starting in November/December, with volunteering opportunities from January through April 15th. You can take the courses and get certified online through the IRS website at your own pace. The certification itself is specifically for the VITA program, so technically it's for volunteer work. However, the knowledge and experience you gain are absolutely valuable professionally. Many tax firms view VITA experience very positively because you're getting hands-on experience with real tax returns under supervision. It demonstrates your interest and basic competency in tax preparation, which can definitely help you get hired elsewhere. I know several people who started with VITA and leveraged that experience to get paid positions at tax firms.

I second this. Did the Jackson Hewitt course and felt completely unprepared for anything beyond the most basic W-2 returns. Ended up having to learn most things on the job anyway. Would have saved my money and just studied for the EA exam from the beginning.

Exactly. These courses are designed primarily to get seasonal workers who can handle simple returns during the rush. They're not really focused on developing your skills for complex tax situations. I wasted a season working for peanuts at H&R Block before realizing I needed more substantial education to actually build a career in tax preparation.

This is so important. I took a course that was still teaching the old rules for the child tax credit and ended up giving clients incorrect information initially. Super embarrassing and potentially costly. Make sure whatever program you choose has been updated for 2025 filing season regulations.

This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the timeline - if I start with VITA this upcoming season, would I be able to transition into EA studies right after, or should I do a couple seasons of VITA first? Also, do you know if having VITA experience actually helps with the EA exam itself, or is it more just for practical experience and resume building?

Great question! You can definitely transition into EA studies right after your first VITA season - in fact, that's probably the ideal timing. You'll have fresh practical experience to help contextualize what you're studying. VITA experience absolutely helps with the EA exam, especially Part 3 (Representation, Practices and Procedures). When you're studying concepts like penalty abatement, installment agreements, or audit procedures, you'll have real-world context from cases you've seen during VITA. Plus, you'll be comfortable with tax forms and terminology that might otherwise seem abstract. I'd recommend doing one full VITA season (January-April), then starting EA prep materials in May/June to sit for the exam in late summer or fall. That way you're studying while the VITA experience is still fresh, and you'll be credentialed before the next tax season starts. The EA exam covers much more complex material than VITA handles, but having that foundation of real tax preparation experience makes the studying much more meaningful and easier to retain.

This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for! I'm definitely leaning toward the EA route after reading everyone's experiences. Quick question though - how long did it take you to study for the EA exam using Gleim? I'm trying to plan my timeline and wondering if it's realistic to aim for taking the exam within 6 months of starting to study, especially if I'm working full-time in another job while preparing. Also, you mentioned learning the business side - do you have any specific resources you'd recommend for that aspect? I feel like most of the discussion focuses on the technical tax knowledge but those practical business skills sound equally important for success.

Great question about the timeline! With Gleim materials and studying part-time while working full-time, 6 months is definitely doable but it requires consistent effort. I studied about 10-15 hours per week and took the exam after about 5 months. The key is being disciplined about your study schedule - I did early mornings and weekends mostly. For the business side, I'd recommend checking out the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) resources - they have webinars and articles on practice management. Also, "The E-Myth" by Michael Gerber isn't tax-specific but has great insights on running a service business. For pricing strategies, look into what other EAs in your area charge and consider joining local tax professional groups on Facebook or LinkedIn where people share real-world experiences. One practical tip: start thinking about liability insurance, client intake processes, and record-keeping systems while you're studying. You'll want those business systems in place before you start taking on clients. Drake Software and some others offer practice management features that can help with the administrative side once you're ready to start your own practice.

This is such valuable insight, thank you for sharing your VITA experience! I'm really intrigued by what you said about the variety of returns you encountered - 150 returns in one season sounds like incredible hands-on experience. Can you tell me more about the time commitment? Like how many hours per week were you volunteering during tax season? Also, I'm curious about the mentorship aspect. Were the experienced volunteers actual EAs or CPAs, or were they just seasoned VITA volunteers? I'm wondering how much advanced knowledge I'd actually be exposed to versus just getting comfortable with basic returns. Your point about local tax firms reaching out based on VITA experience is really encouraging. That kind of networking benefit wasn't something I'd considered before. Did you find that the VITA program helped you make connections in the local tax preparation community beyond just the volunteer coordinators?