26 Nov My high schooler wants to prepare tax returns. How to get started?

Q. My high school student is really interested in accounting and tax law. Is there a training program so he can work preparing returns for the next filing season?
— Mom

A. Good for your high schooler.

We took the question to Bernie Kiely, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant with Kiely Capital Management in Morristown.

He said when he studied personal income taxes in college, he used IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax.”

This can be accessed and downloaded on line at www.irs.gov.

Kiely said he also used Publication 17 to study for the CPA exam.

“Once you have read Pub 17 you should be qualified to prepare form 1040,” he said. “You can go to H&R Block or any other tax preparation company and look for a job.”

Kiley also noted that potential employer will want to satisfy themselves that you are qualified. They may ask you to take a test.

Good luck to your student!

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This story was originally published in November 2025.

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