The final step
in preparing the tax return after gathering and putting together all the
information, putting it into the program and printing it out, is filing the
return. There are a two different ways to
file your tax return. You can either mail it in or
electronically file, either way your return has to be sent in by April 15, which
is the deadline. If not you are subject
to penalties and late fees.
The tax class was held two times a
week, three hours per night for six weeks.
After each class we had an assignment to do at home. Once the lesson was complete (could be
several sessions for one lesson) then we had a test. Oh, the dreaded test. I have never been a test taker, especially
with other people in the room and a time limit.
The tests included a “scenario” as an example to go by, putting it into
the computer program and finding out the end result. If we didn't pass we could retake the test or study it more to
find out the details if we missed anything in the scenario, plus it was open book.
Most of the tests I passed, but the final test was the one that really counted. The difference was, you could only do it one time and it was not open book. During the whole course I was the one that had trouble putting the concepts together and the last one finished. It was the same with the final test. We all got started, had our turn and it took me the longest time. All my doubts about what I had learned and my inadequacies, came flooding back. I kept on, finished the test and the class. When I got my results from the test I scored a 92%! I had done it; I had succeeded.
Most of the tests I passed, but the final test was the one that really counted. The difference was, you could only do it one time and it was not open book. During the whole course I was the one that had trouble putting the concepts together and the last one finished. It was the same with the final test. We all got started, had our turn and it took me the longest time. All my doubts about what I had learned and my inadequacies, came flooding back. I kept on, finished the test and the class. When I got my results from the test I scored a 92%! I had done it; I had succeeded.
The interesting part in all this
was: if you passed the course you could
get an interview and be hired. Well that
was my goal from the beginning. The stay
at home mom going out into the world wondering who will hire me, what do I
do. I had just proved that I could do
something; now to see if I would get hired.
I
was called for an interview, which was a scary process, but after being interviewed,
they offered me employment which I accepted. I have now worked for them for
three tax seasons, completed over five hundred tax returns, taken and passed the
Registered Tax Return Preparer test. Now, here I am going to college and working on
my business degree.
The
challenge of getting out of my box, learning and moving forward has helped me
to overcome many of my fears and inadequacies and the way I view myself and the
world around me.
Very good!
ReplyDeleteGood job on the blog posts. Breaking it up between three posts
ReplyDeletemakes for a less daunting read. Taxes...ugh! You made doing them seem not so bad. Good luck with your future endeavors. You certainly are on your way!
I enjoyed your writing style as well as what you wrote about. For me that was not about taxes but about getting out at our age and making a significant and scary change. Yea!! I also think your writing is clear and easy to read. (is the subject of taxes ever easy?)
ReplyDelete