Chartered Tax Professional for California Residents

The Chartered Tax Professional for California Residents course will help you become qualified as a California Tax Preparer through the California Tax Education Council (CTEC). The course is composed of six modules in Federal income tax preparation that will prepare you for the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), plus a California supplement. 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).

After successfully completing the Federal and California lessons, you'll be qualified to prepare individual tax returns for almost all U.S. and California taxpayers.

Note: If you do NOT live in California, you aren't required to take this California version of the course. If you don't need to or don't wish to learn California tax preparation, you should take the regular Chartered Tax Professional course instead of the California version.

I. California Income Tax Preparation

A. California CTEC Income Tax Supplement
1. Electronic Filing
2. W-2 and 1099 Forms
3. Form 540 and 540A
4. Filing Requirements
5. Filing Status
6. Exemptions and Dependents
7. Dependent Care and Tax Credits
8. Various Sources of Income
9. Additions and Subtractions from Income
10. Itemized Deductions
11. Resident and Nonresident Returns
12. Employee Business Expenses
13. Sale of Real Estate
14. Depreciation: MACRS and ACRS
15. Community Property Rules
16. Self-Employment
17. Rental Property
18. Capital Gains and Losses
19. Ethics
20. Penalties
21. Extensions
22. Amended Returns
23. Political Activity Expenses
24. Withholding on Nonresident Sales of Real Property
25. Common Law Test for Employment
26. Statutory Employees
27. Independent Contractor Reporting Requirements
28. Credit for Taxes Paid to Other States
29. California Business and Professional Code

II. Individual Income Tax Preparation

A. Basic Income Tax Module
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. IRAs and Retirement Plans

B. Intermediate Income Tax Module
1. Employee Business Expenses
2. Sale of Real Estate
3. Depreciation: MACRS and ACRS
4. Self-employment
5. Rental Property
6. Capital Gains and Losses
7. Education Expenses and Plans
8. Education Tax Benefits
9. Ethics
10. Kiddie Tax
11. Taxpayer Relief Act of 1977
12. Tax Saving Ideas
13. Alternative Minimum Tax
14. Office-in-Home
15. Injured and Innocent Spouse
16. Penalties
17. Extensions
18. Amended Returns

C. 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

D. 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

III. 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

Please note that your continuing education requirements will begin once your PTIN has been issued.

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.

I JUST REGISTERED YESTERDAY AND GOT MY USER ID AND PASSWORD TODAY. I'M EXCITED TO GET STARTED BUT WAS WONDERING IF YOU RECOMMEND I WAIT FOR MY BOOK?

You can if you want to; however, everything you need is available online. The book is a great tool to have while taking the course so you don't have to print everything out. It's also a great reference after you finish the course. Feel free to start your course now and just download anything you need until your book comes. It should only be a few days.

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

Yes. This course qualifies for CPE credit for CPAs.

ARE YOU APPROVED BY CTEC?

Yes. This California version of our CTP course 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?

This 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.

WILL I BE ABLE TO COMPLETE AN ONLINE ASSIGNMENT MORE THAN ONCE?

Yes. You must successfully complete each section with a score of 70% or better before you're able to move on to the next one.

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 extent 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.