After April 15...

So what happens to tax preparers after April 15?

When I first started in the business (working for a major store front vendor), I thought: Great! Sometime to "do" during the core of the Great Northeast Winter! I took the initial course, worked the first year, collected my checks. Ok, then, the following year, they expected me back in training by October. Then, I started training for them and my "year" began in July when we started preparing training curriculum.

Now that I'm out on my own...my tax preparation business is a year 'round job, even if it's still only part time on the record. Here's how it plays out:

January 1 through April 15: prime tax season. Trust me when I say y'all are predictable, but, as my practice grows, there are fewer and fewer lulls over the initial 15 weeks of the seasons.

Mid April through June: break/vacation. I won't lie.

July through September: First, catch up on required education. As an Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), I am required to secure 72 hours of continuing education every three years. Early summer's the best time to make that happen. Also, this is the season to deal with IRS and state notices (e.g., past year's errors) and their related amendments.

August through October 15: Remember those extensions? Yup, now's the time.

June through November: Time to stock up on supplies: folders, newsletters, postcards, software, etc.

Thanksgiving thought January 1: Time to send out holiday cards, tax checklists, etc. Also, time to prepared MY income tax return!

Worth it? Yup!