How to Become a Pennsylvania Tax Preparer

What are the steps to becoming a tax preparer in Pennsylvania? What are the educational requirements to sit for the exam to become certified by the PA Department of Revenue? How much money can you make as an accredited tax preparer in Pennsylvania? These and other questions will be answered in this article about how to become a tax preparer in Pennsylvania, which includes details on how to register with the state, what coursework and training you need, how long it takes to get your certification, and more.

So, You Want to Be a Pennsylvania Tax Preparer? Here's What You Need to Know

What is the difference between a CPA and a tax preparer?

Tax preparers are similar to CPAs in that they both file taxes for people and businesses. The most important difference is that tax preparers don't have the same level of education as CPAs. They also typically charge lower fees than CPAs. In general, it takes around three years of on-the-job experience plus 30 hours of continuing education to become a CPA. To be eligible for registration as a PA tax preparer, you need some basic business knowledge plus one-year of on-the-job experience or a degree from an accredited college or university. For example, if you want to be a PA tax preparer and all you have is a high school diploma, you can take an approved competency test instead of attending college. Once you've completed these steps, you'll be eligible to register with the state as a PA tax preparer. 

For those who want to start out with just tax preparation in Lancaster pa, pa tax preparation training in Lancaster County will provide valuable professional development while giving them time to work their way up through the company ranks.

How to Become a Tax Preparer in Pennsylvania

Becoming a tax preparer in Pennsylvania is a straightforward process involving just a few basic requirements. These include knowledge of the business as well as certification and education. In order to become certified by the IRS and start your own tax preparation business in PA, you must complete at least three hours of training per year with an approved provider.

What are the IRS requirements to be a tax preparer?

There are four IRS requirements for becoming a tax preparer. First, you must be competent in doing the job by having the required knowledge and skills. Second, you must be of good moral character and reputation. Third, you must disclose any unauthorized practice of law that could cause an adverse effect on your professional status as a tax preparer. Finally, you must have no convictions for felonies or misdemeanors within the past ten years which may affect your ability to competently perform duties as a tax preparer.

Finally, you must have no convictions for felonies or misdemeanors within the past ten years which may affect your ability to competently perform duties as a tax preparer. You can find tax preparation services online

Please visit our website to learn more about how we can help you become a tax preparer

Who can be a tax return preparer?

There are many people who can be tax return preparers. Keep in mind that depending on the state in which you live there might be additional requirements in order to become a tax preparer. In the US, tax preparation is regulated at the state level and while some states do not require any formal education or licensing, others do. For example, tax preparers in California need to have a high school diploma or GED plus 2 years of experience as well as 18 hours of continuing education every two years.

A very important factor is whether you want to work for someone else, such as HR Block, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., or Liberty Tax Service Inc., among others, or if you want to start your own business as an independent tax return preparer.

How much does a tax preparer make?

There are many different tax preparers and they don't all make the same salary. The average tax preparer in Harrisburg PA and Lancaster PA makes $39,000 per year. Some tax preparers charge by their service, others by their hour and some work on commission or earn an hourly wage plus commission. A quick Google search will show you which tax preparers charge what so that you can know before deciding who to hire. Tax preparation in Harrisburg pa is more affordable than tax preparation in Lancaster pa, but it may take longer to finish your taxes with this type of tax preparer.