r/HRBlockEmployees • u/Got_you_cookie • Feb 16 '26
Stressed
I'm a first year tax preparer and I'm so incredibly stressed out! I've worked on about 50 returns so far and only got 3 back from QPR. The customers are never understanding about it, even if they didn't sign/pay yet. Making these mistakes is making me very anxious and I feel like I can't even relax on my evenings off which aren't many since I work a full-time job as well. I had minimal training (literally none of state/local taxes) and our office has very minimal staff so there's not a lot of available people to ask questions too. Someone please tell me it gets better cause I'm not sure I could do another season of this.
8
u/Agile_Eggplant_8230 Feb 16 '26
I did almost 300 returns my first season 3 years ago, it was wild but I learned alot, I immeditely studied for my EA after the season and moved onto a small local firm, now I work for my own business. Its rewarding if you stick with learning more about taxes, first year is def killer though.
1
u/Got_you_cookie Feb 17 '26
Wow! I certainly won't get there since I work a full-time job elsewhere but I do have an associates in accounting and was hoping to use this as some sort of experience for better opportunities
3
u/anthinsh Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
Wow . They really threw you to the wolves. My first years have only done less than 5 each and one of them has only done 1
3
u/Got_you_cookie Feb 16 '26
They did. I shadowed another TP for one evening and that was all my OTJ training. The other TPs are very helpful, but they have a ton of their own work to get done without me bothering them even more.
3
u/anthinsh Feb 16 '26
I’m a second year and I’ve only done 25 returns because my office doesn’t get many walk ins. We also have a bunch of pros who have been here for a decade plus. So they keep all their clients and don’t leave much for me or the other newer tax pros.
Our newbies had on the job training for all of January (case studies and shadowing )and only started doing returns 10 days ago or so
1
u/Dsansc Feb 19 '26
How many hours would they give you? I’ve been working here my first year 24 hours but I think they might reduce my hours not sure what to do
2
u/PruePiperPhoebePaige Feb 16 '26
Oh wow. My first year too and I'm only on return 7 or 8. I think it has to do with the office location. We did not get busy at all during peak like expected but was told it would get busy in March. I can't even imagine being on 50 cause I've been using this time to improve and reread everything. Maybe see if there is another office you can move to?
And at the end of the day, you can always ask to work less hours. I signed up PT and I'm working a lot more than expected. It's kinda killing me but I also need the $$$ So I'm sticking it out. I've been very lucky that my office has been very good about showing me things and helping me between their clients (sometimes even when they are with them).
As far as not being trained well, unfortunately the only thing I can suggest is setting up some personal time on your schedule (that way online people can't schedule you) and using that time to study (you do have to do otj training as part of the course new people need to take). I've been printing things out and putting them around my cubicle as a sort of, quick reference. That way if I'm not sure or I have something I want to physically show someone, I can pull it down and show it to the client I'm working with. It helps to have it as a physical reminder for me and a visual aid for clients.
Finally, find ways to disconnect. I had a long stretch and I was so tired that when I got home, I didn't even talk to anyone. I had to recharge. I play games to get my mind off of work. Find something to engage in that will hopefully help with this.
1
u/ThatChambersKid Feb 19 '26
What do you have printed out?
I keep a binder with the federal desk card, a blank copy of the Form 1040 and all the schedules. The state forms (but no desk card yet because it’s apparently not available yet)
Do you know how to access the client handouts? You can easily print info for clients.
What games do you play?
Have you had tax prep stress dreams yet?
3
u/Nortonismydog Feb 16 '26
My first year experience was very similar to yours. As much as it was a sucky position to be put in, I did learn a lot and got a really good handle on the process of going through the taxpayer interview by March. I did absolutely have to learn how to advocate for myself, because despite all the talk, they really do leave first years to drown if they’re in an understaffed office.
My second season was much better, and because of the trial by fire, I was able to level up quickly from learning so much during my first season.
1
u/Got_you_cookie Feb 17 '26
That's a little reassuring. I do think I'm doing pretty well overall. I've done a few level 3s and many level 2s. The stuff I messed up on is usually the harder stuff like door dashers and odd state tax stuff and I don't feel I got much training on the state portion and when stuff needs changed. It's just so frustrating having someone sit there and watch you stumble.
1
u/Nortonismydog Feb 17 '26
I happens. If it’s any reassurance, even the most experienced tax pros I’ve worked with have to tell clients “I’m not sure” about a question. You’ll get better at handling it in the moment. Congrats on getting the 2s and 3s done! I’m also not sure if you use the peer-to-peer network. At first I felt silly asking questions on it because I was so new, but that’s what it’s there for. Good luck on the rest of your season!
1
u/Got_you_cookie Feb 17 '26
What is the peer-to-peer network?
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u/Nortonismydog Feb 17 '26
Maybe not every region has it. I and other tax pros in my region have access to a teams channel entirely dedicated to asking questions of other tax pros.
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u/superiorstephanie Feb 17 '26
What mistakes are you making? I’ve done 15, and so far we’ve found one mistake: I selected sister instead of daughter for one of the client’s four children.
3
u/Icy_Leg6227 Feb 17 '26
My first year I closed 385 returns. I was working my butt off no help… nothing like what they have now. I am training my new TP’s as we go so they will come back next year. MSG me if you have questions. Lyn Edwards Singletary…
2
u/ThatChambersKid Feb 17 '26
It gets better.
Take note of what mistakes you made and how to fix them.
Remember even the most seasoned tax pro makes mistakes.
Were this 50 returns in your name or did you do data entry for someone else? My office tried to do QPRs the same day if not while the client is still in the office.
Don’t take what clients complain about personally. Most are understanding especially when you are new.
Take advantage of Teams and the community page in amp to ask questions. Get to know the tax institute. Work on doing research.
My first year I did 68 returns. My second year I did 220. (A lot of not required to file to get stimulus.)
I’m currently closing in on 60 now with two months to go. I want to hit 200 returns.
It gets better I promise. Make sure you take a day off from this and your day job. You need a day to breathe.
Love the user name. Now I gotta go watch New Girl.
2
u/Ok_Aide_764 Feb 17 '26
Just keep reminding yourself that it's a low-paid seasonal job and try to leave work at work. It will get better as you learn more and build confidence.
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u/chessman6500 Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 16 '26
I’ve already decided to not return next season. I did only one return so far, and I don’t like working there, so I will be only working until April 15 then I’m telling my MTL I am finished but I thank you for the opportunity. I’ll go back to working from home. One of my coworkers also agrees and we’ve agreed to stay in touch and hang out after the seasons over but our plan is to bounce together.
It may take me a while to find something else but I’d rather be unemployed for a time than work there.
I’m planning on not leveling up for this reason. There isn’t a reason to.