What if learning how to prepare tax returns could become more than a way to better understand your own finances? For some people, it could open the door to a flexible seasonal career, a source of extra income or even a new professional direction.
That opportunity is particularly worth considering right now, as the tax preparation industry continues to face staffing shortages nationwide.
Saunders Tax & Accounting’s Comprehensive Tax Course I and II, offered this fall through Hagerstown Community College, is designed to give students practical knowledge in preparing individual and small business tax returns. The course begins October 13, 2026, and is taught by Bev Stitely, Enrolled Agent and tax strategist, along with members of the Saunders Tax & Accounting team. Their instruction incorporates real-world examples and experiences from working with taxpayers and businesses.
More Than Learning About Taxes
Taxes may not sound like the most exciting subject at first. But tax preparation is a skill that can be put to work.
For someone looking for a seasonal job, a career change, flexible work or a way to earn additional income, tax preparation can be an appealing option. The work naturally follows the tax calendar, which means it can provide an opportunity for people who don’t necessarily want a traditional year-round job.
And there is another benefit: The knowledge can be useful even if you never prepare a return for someone else. Understanding how tax laws affect income, deductions, credits and business activities can help you become a more informed taxpayer.
The Saunders course takes that practical approach. Rather than focusing solely on federal returns, the curriculum also includes various state returns and tax-year-specific updates. Students learn not only tax concepts but also client interview techniques and how those concepts are applied when preparing actual returns.
A Path Toward Maryland Tax Preparer Registration
For Maryland residents interested in preparing individual tax returns for compensation, there is an additional consideration: Maryland has a state registration and examination requirement.
The Maryland Board of Individual Tax Preparers requires individuals who prepare federal and state tax returns for Maryland residents to be registered, unless they fall into an exemption such as being a CPA, Enrolled Agent or attorney. Applicants generally must pass the Maryland Individual Tax Preparers Examination with a passing score of 70 percent.
That makes quality education especially important for someone considering entering the field.
Successful completion of Saunders Tax & Accounting’s Comprehensive Tax Course provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue tax preparation work and prepare for the Maryland examination. Students who successfully complete the course also receive a certificate of completion.
Designed for Real Life
Not everyone can commit to sitting in a classroom every day. The course is designed with that reality in mind.
Classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a choice of morning or evening sessions. Students can participate onsite, live online or through on-demand instruction. Live classes are recorded, so students who miss a class can view it at a more convenient time. Quizzes and tests are also completed online.
For people balancing a job, family or other responsibilities, that flexibility can make pursuing a new skill much more manageable.
Is Tax Preparation Right for You?
You don’t have to be an accountant to consider it.
If you are detail-oriented, enjoy solving problems, like working with people and are willing to learn, tax preparation may be worth exploring.
And because tax laws change regularly, the ability to learn from professionals who are actively working in the industry can be a significant advantage.
The need for qualified tax preparers isn’t going away. In fact, Saunders Tax & Accounting notes that the industry is facing staffing shortages nationwide. At the same time, Maryland has established educational and professional standards designed to ensure tax preparers are competent to provide these services.
So, while your friends may be thinking about what they want to do with their free time this fall, perhaps it’s worth asking yourself a different question:
What skill could you learn this fall that could pay you back for years to come?
Tax preparation just might be one of them.
The Saunders Tax & Accounting Comprehensive Tax Course I and II begins October 13, 2026. To learn more about the curriculum, class options, cost and registration, visit www.saunderstax.com/taxcourse.php.
For more information, contact Saunders Tax & Accounting at http://www.saunderstax.com or call us at 301-714-2071. Open Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm. Awarded the Hagerstown Hot List 2026 and Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce “2023 Small Business of the Year” by providing a Less Taxing Life and More Prosperous Solutions since 1984!
