I am a CPA and head of a large corporate tax department for 30 years before I retired. Most professional tax preparers have a 4 year college degree in accounting with several specialized tax classes. Many also have law degrees. I also know several preparers who don't have college degrees but learned the rules through many years of practical work experience working for those that did have the degrees. If you don't have the time or inclination to go the college degree route, you have a couple of options: one is to try to get an entry level job with a local CPA who would be willing to train you, and another is to take an individual income tax course at a local junior college or H&R block. I can almost guarantee you that it is much more complicated and involved than you think it will be. The US tax code and regulations are the most complicated in the world and to do it right takes years of study and experience. It is a very rewarding career if you want it.