The Income Tax Return (26)

 

Course Materials:

 

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00168-26-S
CE Credits: 2 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 10

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study courses discusses important tax changes for 2024 tax returns and basic information on the tax system. It also discusses the requirements for filing a tax return and which filing status to choose. Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 2 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Recall important tax changes to be used for 2024 tax returns.
  • Recognize the length of the automatic extension provided by filing Form 4868.
  • Recognize the various filing statuses and who is eligible to use them.
  • Recall the various requirements for a qualifying relative.
  • Identify the purpose of estimated taxes.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 10 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Income (26)

 

Course Materials:

 

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00168-26-S
CE Credits: 5 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 25

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study course discusses various types of income and will explain which income is and is not taxed. Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 5 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Recall what types of compensation are included as income for tax purposes.
  • Recognize what tips should be included in income for tax purposes.
  • Recall the proper tax treatment for various types of interest.
  • Identify the proper treatment of various types of dividends.
  • Recognize the proper treatment of rental property income and expenses for tax purposes.
  • Identify various requirements regarding retirement plan taxation.
  • Recognize key taxation thresholds related to social security income.
  • Identify the taxability of various types of other income.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Capital Gains and Losses (26)

 

Course Materials:

 

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00169-26-S
CE Credits: 2 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 10

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study course discusses investment gains and losses, including how to figure your basis in property. A gain from selling or trading stocks, bonds, or other investment property may be taxed or it may be tax free, at least in part. A loss may or may not be deductible. These chapters also discuss gains from selling property you personally use – including the special rules for selling your home. Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 2 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the factors to consider in calculating the basis of property.
  • Recognize the taxability of the sale of personal use property.
  • Identify the special tax rules related to selling your home.
  • Recall the capital gain rates for the current year.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 10 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Adjustments to Income (26)

 

Course Materials:

 

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00170-26-S
CE Credits: 5 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 25

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study course discusses some of the adjustments to income that you can deduct in figuring your adjusted gross income. Also discussed are contributions made to traditional individual retirement arrangements (IRAs), alimony you pay, student loan interest, and business expenses you pay as an Armed Forces reservist, a performing artist, or a fee-basis government official. Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 5 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Recall the thresholds, requirements, and additional taxes related to individual retirement arrangements.
  • Recognize what is and is not alimony.
  • Identify education-related adjustments that can be made to income.
  • Identify what business-related expenses associated with travel, transportation, and gifts are deductible.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Standard and Itemized Deductions (26)

 

Course Materials:

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00171-26-S
CE Credits: 7 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 35

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study course discusses the standard deduction, itemized deduction, and the limit on some of the itemized deductions if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain amounts. After you have figured your adjusted gross income, you are ready to subtract the deductions used to figure taxable income. You can subtract either the standard deduction or itemized deductions, and, if you qualify, the qualified business income deduction. Itemized deductions are deductions for certain expenses that are listed on Schedule A (Form 1040). Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 7 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

Learning Objectives

  • Recall the standard deduction amounts for the current year.
  • Recognize the deductibility characteristics of medical and dental expenses.
  • Recognize what taxes you can deduct if you itemize deductions.
  • Recall what types of interest you can and cannot deduct.
  • Recall the types of charitable contributions you can deduct and the records you should keep.
  • Recall the tax treatment of personal casualty and theft losses.
  • Identify types of other itemized deductions allowable to reduce adjusted gross income.
  • Identify the rules in the TCJA related to claiming a deduction for “qualified business income.”

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Figuring your Taxes and Credits (26)

 

Course Materials:

 

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00172-26-S
CE Credits: 3 hours
IRS Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 15

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This self-study course discusses how to figure your tax and how to figure the tax of certain children who have unearned income. They also discuss tax credits that, unlike deductions, are subtracted directly from your tax and reduce your tax, dollar for dollar. Though this basic tax course does not require any prerequisites, its recommended target audience is for existing Enrolled Agents, however anyone may take this course. This course provides 3 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize various alternative minimum tax adjustments and preference items.
  • Recall the rules related to the tax on unearned income of certain children.
  • Recall how to figure the earned income credit.
  • Identify who qualifies to take the credit for the elderly or disabled.
  • Recall the limits of the child tax credit.
  • Identify the requirements for and benefits of the American opportunity credit and the lifetime learning credit.
  • Recall the limit of investment income to qualify for the earned income credit.
  • Recognize who is eligible to claim the premium tax credit.
  • Identify various nonrefundable and refundable credits available for income tax purposes.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 15 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Federal Income Tax Changes – 2026

Course Materials

 

IRS Program Number: 
CE Credits: 3 hours
Category: Tax Law Updates
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 15
Important recommendation to all students: If you received this course as part of a Bundle, we recommend completing all other courses first, then completing this course last as this course will contain the 2024 Tax updates.

Course Syllabus

Course Description

Each year, various limits affecting income tax preparation and planning change. Some changes commonly occur each year as a result of inflation indexing, while others occur because of new legislation or the sunsetting of existing law. This course will examine those tax changes that are more significant from the perspective of an income tax preparer. Some context will be supplied, as appropriate, to assist readers in understanding the changes. This is a basic tax course with no prerequisites, and qualifies for 3 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law Updates category.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• List the changes affecting standard mileage rates, standard deductions, AMT exemption amounts, limits related to income from U.S. Savings Bonds for taxpayers paying higher education expenses, and deductions for qualified long-term care insurance premiums;
• Identify the various tax credit changes;
• Recognize the changes in Health Savings Account (HSA) and Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) requirements and contribution limits, Roth IRA eligibility, and traditional IRA contribution deductibility for active participants in employer-sponsored qualified plans;
• Explain the changes effective for the year with respect to the small employer premium tax credit and applicable large employer mandate under the ACA; and
• Describe the principal legislative changes affecting tax advisers and tax preparers.

 

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Addendum

This addendum has been provided at the direction of the IRS. The IRS CE representative instructed that this specific OBBBA material not be inserted into the text of the AFTR course, or tested upon, but rather as additional information provided to the student. Since this is not a chapter, a course, or a course assignment, the content in this addendum are provided as a courtesy to the student. We will be offering an optional 6-hour CE credit course titled “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Tax Provisions” in the near future.

  • Download OBBBA Addendum    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 15 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

 

1040 Workshop (26)

Course Materials:

  • Download Course Materials    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”
  • Final Exam Preview    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”
  • To begin the Final Exam please scroll all the way down this page and you will find the link to start the exam.
IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00173-26-S
CE Credits: 24 hours
Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 120

Course Syllabus

Course Description
Designed to make the practitioner comfortable with “high traffic” issues, this program enables participants to discuss and handle individual tax essentials. The course examines and explains the practical aspects of return preparation and individual planning, bridging the gap between theory and application. Significant new developments are summarized with emphasis on tax savings ideas. Practical applications and illustrations are used to systematically explore tax deferral, reduction, and elimination opportunities accompanying return preparation. For example, the analysis of gross income is discussed together with income splitting techniques; property transactions are examined alongside like-kind exchanges and involuntary conversions. The result is an extraordinary blend of the latest developments affecting individual returns and their related planning ideas. This is a basic tax course with no prerequisites, and qualifies for 24 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Chapter 1Identify federal revenue tax sources citing the definitive role of gross income and, determine a client’s tax liability using current rates, tables, exemptions, statutory amounts, and their withholding and/or estimated tax responsibility.
    Specify the various filing statuses and their filing requirements recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of each.
    Determine what constitutes gross income under §61 stating the tax treatment of fringe benefits, rental income, prizes, and a child’s income, and specify how debt discharge and foreclosure can result in taxable income.
    Identify the mechanics of income exclusions such as education-related exclusions, insurance, and personal injury awards.
    Recognize income tax deductions and their use to reduce tax liability by identifying interest related to businesses. investments, qualified residences, and deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, casualty losses, and moving expenses.
    Determine distinctions among several types of tax credits for children and education identifying amounts and eligibility requirements.
  • Chapter 2Recognize the tax treatment of rental property expenses specifying their impact on landlords and tenants taking into consideration the tax differences given to rent, insurance, tax preparation fees, property taxes, and purchased leases.
    Identify the application of the hobby loss rules to a business, determine deductible expenses, recognize the requirements of the home-office deduction, and specify self-employment taxes.
    Determine how to properly deduct travel by identifying deductible domestic and foreign business travel expenses, a taxpayer’s tax home, if any, and work locations; specify the “away from home” and convention rules; and define the adequate substantiation methods.
    Differentiate accountable and nonaccountable plans including the requirements for an accountable plan particularly adequate accounting using per diem rates for non-related employees.
    Determine what constitutes local personal commuting and deductible travel to temporary work sites.
    Identify the apportionment of automobile expenses between personal and business use, the actual cost and standard mileage methods, medical & charitable mileage, and depreciation.
    Specify the various types of excluded fringe benefits that can increase employers’ deductions and incentive-based compensation of employee.
    Recognize the cash, accrual, and other methods of accounting, select available accounting periods specifying their impact on income and expenses and identify expensing, and amortization.
  • Chapter 3Specify the tax consequences on the sale of easements and the holding period and basis of inherited property.
    Identify the application elements of the §121 home sale exclusion specifying the ownership and use requirements.
    Recognize the §453 installment method requirements, the residential lot exception, and the pledging rule limitation.
    Identify the elements necessary for a §1038 repossession, the different rules for real property and personal property repossessions, and calculating basis and gain on repossession
    Specify the tax treatment of a §1033 involuntary conversion on condemnation or threat of condemnation; differentiate between condemnation awards and severance damages; and identify replacement periods needed to postpone gain.
    Recognize the scope of the §465 at-risk rules and their effect on property depreciation, and identify the requirements, taxation, and types of §1031 like-kind exchanges.
    Identify planning considerations for benefit planning and funding a qualified retirement plan; determine the compensation base used for funding calculations and the impact of PBGC insurance in assuring benefits.
    Identify the requirements of the basic forms of qualified pension plans permitting clients to compare and contrast such plans.
    Differentiate defined contribution and defined benefit plans; specify the types of defined contribution plans particularly Keogh plans and IRAs identifying their effect on retirement benefits.
    Identify how self-employed plans differ from qualified plans for other business types and owners; and specify the requirements of IRAs and the Roth IRAs recognizing their contribution, rollover, and RMD requirements and restrictions.
  • Chapter 4Identify how the passive loss rules limit the ability to take deductions, what transactions free disallowed losses, how suspended losses are carried forward, and when real estate professionals can escape the passive lost rules.
    Specify differences between the regular and alternative minimum tax recognizing the impact of tax preferences and adjustments.
    Identify the reporting requirements for employers, real estate transactions, independent contractors, and cash reporting.
    Recognize types of accuracy-related and valuation overstatement penalties including the substantial authority defense for reporting positions, and specify the IRS’s examination of returns policy and assessment process including applicable statute of limitations.

 

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Please Note: Because this is a large 120-question exam, we highly encourage you to preview the exam questions and answer them with a notepad, before you start this live exam. This would later help speed up the live examination process and thus minimize internet connection disruptions with the potential of losing answers to the questions you already completed.

  • Final Exam Preview    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”

Tax Return Preparer Ethical Issues (26)

Course Materials

IRS Program Number: YH9W1-E-00166-26-S
CTEC Program Number:
CE Credits: 2 hours
Category: Ethics
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 10

Course Syllabus

Course Description
This course examines tax preparer conduct standards. It addresses the issues of confidentiality, accuracy, conflict of interest, taxpayer omissions and return of client records. The ethical rules governing these issues are discussed, and tax preparers are presented with real-world scenarios that focus on the ethical issues that may be encountered in their professional activities. A final examination covering the course material is administered. This course is a basic tax level course with no prerequisites, and qualifies for 2 CE credits in IRS Federal Tax Law.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the permitted scope of tax return preparer responsibilities;
  • Identify the best practices for tax advisers in preparing or assisting in the preparation of a submission to the Internal Revenue Service;
  • List the various sanctions that may be imposed for a preparer’s failure to comply with applicable conduct rules.

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 10 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

1040 Workshop (25)

Course Materials:

  • Download Course Materials    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”
  • Final Exam Preview    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”
IRS Program Number: YH9W1-T-00165-25-S
CE Credits: 24 hours
Category: Federal Tax Law
Delivery Type: Online Self-Study
Exam Questions: 120

Course Syllabus

Course Description
Designed to make the practitioner comfortable with “high traffic” issues, this program enables participants to discuss and handle individual tax essentials. The course examines and explains the practical aspects of return preparation and individual planning, bridging the gap between theory and application. Significant new developments are summarized with emphasis on tax savings ideas. Practical applications and illustrations are used to systematically explore tax deferral, reduction, and elimination opportunities accompanying return preparation. For example, the analysis of gross income is discussed together with income splitting techniques; property transactions are examined alongside like-kind exchanges and involuntary conversions. The result is an extraordinary blend of the latest developments affecting individual returns and their related planning ideas. This is a basic tax course with no prerequisites, and qualifies for 24 CE credits in the IRS Federal Tax Law category.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Chapter 1

    Identify federal revenue tax sources citing the definitive role of gross income and, determine a client’s tax liability using current rates, tables, exemptions, statutory amounts, and their withholding and/or estimated tax responsibility.
    Specify the various filing statuses and their filing requirements recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of each.
    Determine what constitutes gross income under §61 stating the tax treatment of fringe benefits, rental income, prizes, and a child’s income, and specify how debt discharge and foreclosure can result in taxable income.
    Identify the mechanics of income exclusions such as education-related exclusions, insurance, and personal injury awards.
    Recognize income tax deductions and their use to reduce tax liability by identifying interest related to businesses. investments, qualified residences, and deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, casualty losses, and moving expenses.
    Determine distinctions among several types of tax credits for children and education identifying amounts and eligibility requirements.

  • Chapter 2

    Recognize the tax treatment of rental property expenses specifying their impact on landlords and tenants taking into consideration the tax differences given to rent, insurance, tax preparation fees, property taxes, and purchased leases.
    Identify the application of the hobby loss rules to a business, determine deductible expenses, recognize the requirements of the home-office deduction, and specify self-employment taxes.
    Determine how to properly deduct travel by identifying deductible domestic and foreign business travel expenses, a taxpayer’s tax home, if any, and work locations; specify the “away from home” and convention rules; and define the adequate substantiation methods.
    Differentiate accountable and nonaccountable plans including the requirements for an accountable plan particularly adequate accounting using per diem rates for non-related employees.
    Determine what constitutes local personal commuting and deductible travel to temporary work sites.
    Identify the apportionment of automobile expenses between personal and business use, the actual cost and standard mileage methods, medical & charitable mileage, and depreciation.
    Specify the various types of excluded fringe benefits that can increase employers’ deductions and incentive-based compensation of employee.
    Recognize the cash, accrual, and other methods of accounting, select available accounting periods specifying their impact on income and expenses and identify expensing, and amortization.

  • Chapter 3

    Specify the tax consequences on the sale of easements and the holding period and basis of inherited property.
    Identify the application elements of the §121 home sale exclusion specifying the ownership and use requirements.
    Recognize the §453 installment method requirements, the residential lot exception, and the pledging rule limitation.
    Identify the elements necessary for a §1038 repossession, the different rules for real property and personal property repossessions, and calculating basis and gain on repossession
    Specify the tax treatment of a §1033 involuntary conversion on condemnation or threat of condemnation; differentiate between condemnation awards and severance damages; and identify replacement periods needed to postpone gain.
    Recognize the scope of the §465 at-risk rules and their effect on property depreciation, and identify the requirements, taxation, and types of §1031 like-kind exchanges.
    Identify planning considerations for benefit planning and funding a qualified retirement plan; determine the compensation base used for funding calculations and the impact of PBGC insurance in assuring benefits.
    Identify the requirements of the basic forms of qualified pension plans permitting clients to compare and contrast such plans.
    Differentiate defined contribution and defined benefit plans; specify the types of defined contribution plans particularly Keogh plans and IRAs identifying their effect on retirement benefits.
    Identify how self-employed plans differ from qualified plans for other business types and owners; and specify the requirements of IRAs and the Roth IRAs recognizing their contribution, rollover, and RMD requirements and restrictions.

  • Chapter 4

    Identify how the passive loss rules limit the ability to take deductions, what transactions free disallowed losses, how suspended losses are carried forward, and when real estate professionals can escape the passive lost rules.
    Specify differences between the regular and alternative minimum tax recognizing the impact of tax preferences and adjustments.
    Identify the reporting requirements for employers, real estate transactions, independent contractors, and cash reporting.
    Recognize types of accuracy-related and valuation overstatement penalties including the substantial authority defense for reporting positions, and specify the IRS’s examination of returns policy and assessment process including applicable statute of limitations.

 

Course Assignments

  • Study each Chapter
  • Answer review questions at the end of each chapter
  • Pass the Final Exam with a score of 70 percent or better

 

Final Exam and Certification
The final exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions on the information covered in the course materials. To receive credit for this course, you must click on the Exam below to initiate the exam. A passing score of 70 percent or better will receive course credit and a Certificate of Completion.

Please Note: Because this is a large 120-question exam, we highly encourage you to preview the exam questions and answer them with a notepad, before you start this live exam. This would later help speed up the live examination process and thus minimize internet connection disruptions with the potential of losing answers to the questions you already completed.

  • Final Exam Preview    <–To Download this file to your computer, Right-click the link and chose “Save File As”