And Block, whose core business is retail tax preparation, was not willing to make the investment.

Only about half of Block's business is tax preparation.

One way to learn more about taxes is to take a continuing education course on tax preparation at your local university or community college.

Many have minimum fees ranging from $250 to $500 for tax preparation.

Making it second largest tax preparation chain in the United States.

The remainder of this article describes tax preparation by someone other than the taxpayer.

To the rest of us, tax preparation holds considerably less appeal.

The association also offers help with tax preparation, legal counseling and Medicare.

The shift to hiring others for the job comes despite the rise of software programs to help people face tax preparation on their own.

Many work in the accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services industry.