Chartered Tax Professional

A Chartered Tax Professional (CTP) is someone who has completed a specific series of tax courses in individual and small business income tax preparation. This nationally recognized innovative online certificate course enables you to start working and earning money while completing coursework toward the CTP professional credential.

After successfully completing this course, you will be qualified to prepare individual tax returns for almost all U.S. taxpayers and will also have the tax knowledge to successfully pass the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). The Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) is a test that individuals can take to become an Enrolled Agent in the United States. The Enrolled Agent credential is issued and regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Attention California Residents!

If you live in California and plan to become a preparer of Federal and/or state income tax returns, you must meet the requirements of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) to become licensed to practice as a California Tax Preparer. In that case, you should instead take the Chartered Tax Professional for California Residents course, which will enable you to meet the CTEC requirements while also earning your professional CTP designation.

Upon registering, you're given eighteen (18) months to complete this course.

I.    Individual Income Tax Preparation

    A.    Comprehensive Income Tax Course
        1.    Electronic Filing
        2.    W-2 and 1099 Forms
        3.    Form 1040 (1040 EZ/A)
        4.    Interview Techniques
        5.    Filing Requirements
        6.    Filing Status
        7.    Exemptions and Dependents
        8.    Earned Income Tax Credit
        9.    Due Diligence
        10.    Child Care and Tax Credit
        11.    Interest and Dividends
        12.    Other Income
        13.    Adjustments to Income
        14.    Moving Expenses
        15.    Itemized Deductions
        16.    Employee Business Expenses
        17.    Sale of Real Estate
        18.    Depreciation: MACRS and ACRS
        19.    Self-employment
        20.    Filing Requirements
        21.    Rental Property
        22.    Capital Gains and Losses
        23.    Education Expenses and Plans
        24.    Education Tax Benefits
        25.    IRAs and Retirements Plans
        26.    Ethics
        27.    Kiddie Tax
        28.    Taxpayer Relief Act of 1977
        29.    Tax Saving Ideas
        30.    Alternative Minimum Tax
        31.    Office-in-Home
        32.    Injured and Innocent Spouse
        33.    Penalties
        34.    Extension
        35.    Amended Returns

    B.    Advanced Income Tax Course: Level I 
        1.    Earned Income Credit
        2.    Clergy
        3.    Investments
        4.    At-risk Rules
        5.    Passive Activities
        6.    Injured and Innocent Spouse
        7.    Tax Credits, Special Credits
        8.    COGS, Business Start-up
        9.    Depreciation
        10.    Amortization
        11.    Section 179
        12.    Employee Business Expense
        13.    Office in Home
        14.    Auto Expenses
        15.    Self-employment Tax
        16.    Statutory Employees
        17.    Capital Gains and Losses
        18.    Basis of Property
        19.    Sale of Stock
        20.    Installment Sales
        21.    Rental Properties
        22.    K-1s and 1099s
        23.    Sale of Business Property
        24.    Estimated Taxes
        25.    Extensions

    C.    Advanced Income Tax Course: Level II 
        1.    Amended Tax Returns for Individuals
        2.    Special Needs and Concerns of Seniors
        3.    Tax Issues for High-income Taxpayers
        4.    Net Operating Losses
        5.    Schedule D: Special Issues
        6.    Tax Issues for Divorced Taxpayers
        7.    Tax Planning Tips and Strategies
        8.    Responding to the IRS
        9.    Part-year Resident State Tax Preparation Principles
        10.    Nonresident Alien Returns: Form 1040NR

II.    Small Business Income Tax Preparation

    A.    Small Business Income Tax Course: Level I 
        1.    Introduction to Small Business Tax Preparation
        2.    Business Types
        3.    Accounting Methods
        4.    Financial Statements
        5.    Business Income
        6.    Schedule C
        7.    COGSand Inventory
        8.    Depreciation
        9.    Section 179 Deduction
        10.    Contractor vs. Employee
        11.    Sale of Business Property
        12.    Partnerships
        13.    Corporations: C, S, LLC
        14.    Employee Taxes
        15.    Excise Taxes
        16.    Estate Taxes
        17.    Extensions
        18.    Estimates
        19.    Employee Benefits
        20.    Retirement Plans

    B.    Small Business Income Tax Course: Level II
        1.    Understanding the Balance Sheet
        2.    Partnership Issues
        3.    Corporation Issues
        4.    General Business Credits
        5.    Tax Issues Related to Buying a Business
        6.    Sale or Liquidation of Business
        7.    Profit or Loss From Farming: Schedule F
        8.    Amended or Corrected Business Returns
        9.    What to Do When You Owe the IRS?
        10.    Tax Preparation for Non-profits: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), etc.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows XP or later.
• Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following materials will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Federal Forms
• Federal Worksheets
• Instructions
• Publication
• Tax Preparer Resources

Prerequisites:

A high school diploma or equivalent is a prerequisite for this course. Accounting and specific math skills aren't required, just the aptitude to work with numbers and people and to read and interpret the tax laws.

If you are taking this course to begin a career in taxation you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Complete Comprehensive Tax Course (located within the course)
• Register with the IRS and get a PTIN
• Begin preparing tax returns as a tax preparer

CAN I REGISTER FOR A COURSE IF I AM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

ONCE I COMPLETE THE COURSE, HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY CERTIFICATE?

Once you’ve successfully completed each course (and your final exam has been graded), you’ll need to fill out the Request for Certificate of Completion. Your instructor will then provide you with a certificate of completion by mail. Your CTP certificate will be issued after you’ve completed all courses with an average grade of 80% or more and have documented the 500 hours experience needed to qualify for the CTP designation. 

WHEN CAN I START THE COURSE?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive eighteen (18) months to complete the course.

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE MY COURSE WITHIN THE TIME FRAME PROVIDED?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?

You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I COMPLETE THE COURSE?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

AM I GUARANTEED A JOB?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

CAN I GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more: https://www.ed2go.com/career/financial-assistance

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS COURSE?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us” form. 

DOES THIS COURSE QUALIFY FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPE) CREDIT?

Yes. This course qualifies for CPE credit for CPAs.

WHAT MAKES YOUR COURSE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS'?

While many tax courses available focus mostly on theory, our courses are written and taught by veteran tax professionals who work year-round preparing taxes for the general public with Peoples Income Tax, Inc. Because our courses are written by tax professionals working in the tax industry every day, the material incorporates many real-life examples and truly enables the student to prepare taxes for the general public.

ARE YOU APPROVED BY CTEC?

Yes. We have a California version of our CTP course that includes the curriculum approved by the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) for qualifying education required for tax preparers to become licenses to practice in California.

WHAT COURSE SHOULD I TAKE TO BECOME A TAX PREPARER IN CALIFORNIA?

The California CTP course is approved by CTEC as a qualifying course for California. There are additional requirements to become a tax preparer in California. Please visit CTEC Web site for more information.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE YOUR SCHOOL TO OTHER TAX SCHOOLS?

The Income Tax School is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as a private career school and is subject to the same standards as Virginia colleges governed by SCHEV. We are also a sponsor of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to provide CPE for CPAs. We’re approved by the Office of Professional Responsibility at the Internal Revenue Services as provider of qualifying continuing education for IRS Registration Tax Return Preparers (RTRPs) and Enrolled Agents (EAs). This approval does not extend to licensees of The Income Tax School. We’re approved by the Oregon Board of Tax Service Examiners.

The Income Tax School’s programs were developed initially 19 years ago to recruit, and train tax prepares for our multi-office practice in Virginia. Our curriculum is written and updated annually be experienced practicing tax professionals. All of the Income Tax School’s programs are provided online in an interactive format with instructor support by e-mail rather than by traditional home-study correspondence. We provide learning objectives, lesson quizzes with instructional feedback, and auto-graded exams. Although all of the student textbook content is online, we also provide a hard copy of the student text for convenience and future reference at no additional charge. Our programs are high-quality and are designed to provide students with the knowledge necessary to prepare tax returns professionally.