Have you been thinking about working as an income tax preparer? This work can help you earn some cash while helping others take care of their obligation to the Internal Revenue Service. Many Americans do not enjoy doing their own taxes, and as a tax preparer you can ease some of the burden by assisting them with their returns. Jackson Hewitt is one of the most popular tax preparation companies in the United States, and they regularly hire seasonal help. This page will show you how to become a Jackson Hewitt tax preparer so that you may get in on this work as a career or a part-time job.

Jackson Hewitt is the next-to-largest federal and state tax preparation company in America, second only to H&R Block. The company was founded by John Hewitt in 1982 and currently has about 6,600 offices, both company-owned and franchised (some locations are in Walmart stores). They offer tax assistance out of their offices, as well as over the Internet. http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/About-Us/About-Us/Mr. Hewitt was a former employee of now-competitor H&R Block before breaking off to form his own business, and is known for incorporating the use of computers into the tax preparation process. By 1992 Jackson Hewitt was the number 2 service of its kind in the United States. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Jackson-Hewitt-Inc-Company-History.html

Are you cut out to be a Jackson Hewitt tax preparer? This line of work is not for everybody, so before setting out on this path it is wise to take stock of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as what you are expecting from your term of employment.

First of all, bear in mind that as a tax preparer you will be working on a one-on-one basis with a wide variety of different individuals. Therefore, you should be good working with people, and preferably enjoy social communication. You will need to be able to listen well and analyze situations. You should also be detail-oriented, have solid basic computer skills and be able to quickly assimilate information given to you.

The educational requirements will vary from state to state, so you will need to check with local requirements before embarking on a course of action. In most cases, however, you will not need to obtain a tax-related degree from a college or university. What you will need, at a minimum, is to pass a tax preparation training course. Jackson Hewitt offers their own tax classes, and you can learn more about these courses in the next step (below).

Jackson Hewitt offers a "Learn and Earn" tax school program for those who are interested in working as tax preparers. If you have no prior tax experience and have not previously taken courses in income tax preparation, these classes may be your best option for procuring work with Jackson Hewitt. Keep in mind that successfully completing the program is not a guarantee of future employment. The classes are for educational purposes only. However, participating in the program and performing well can make you desirable to the company, and boost your chances of working as a seasonal tax preparer. http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/Become-a-Tax-Preparer/Learn-Tax-Preparation/

There are several options available for those who wish to enroll in the tax school program. Students may attend courses online, in a traditional classroom setting, or in a computerized/online classroom. The program begins with basic level tax courses, and then successful students (or those with previous tax experience) may move up to the intermediate and advanced levels. Tax course also qualify as college credit for the University of Phoenix, and can earn students up to 4.5 units. http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/Become-a-Tax-Preparer/Course-Offerings/Course-Offerings/

For more information on class offerings, schedules and to enroll, visit the Jackson Hewitt website (JacksonHewitt.com) and click on the Learn Tax Preparation link from the menu on the left side of the page.

Because most Jackson Hewitt office locations are independently owned and operated, the best way to apply for work is to visit the Jackson Hewitt that you wish to work at. http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/Become-a-Tax-Preparer/Learn-Tax-Preparation/ The only employment information available on the main company website is about the tax school, and while you can inquire about course information online there is no online application available. Check your local yellow pages or do a Google search to find branches near you, or enter your zip code on the Jackson Hewitt website to find the closest office. http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/Become-a-Tax-Preparer/Inquiry/Inquiry/

Before applying, be sure to gather the standard materials that you would bring to a job interview. These include a neatly typed, well-proofread resume, your state identification card and your social security card. Have reference contact information handy, and if you have successfully completed the Jackson Hewitt tax program it is a good idea to bring any certificate or transcripts that you may have on hand. Keep in mind that tax preparers are generally required to dress in a manner appropriate for a professional business.