Frequently Asked Questions

A “Qualifying Education” tax course meets CTEC requirements when no less than 60 hours of instruction are taught in basic personal income tax law, theory, and practice by an approved curriculum provider. Of the required 60 hours, 45 hours focus on the federal tax curriculum and 15 hours focus on the California state tax curriculum (ethics material is also covered). All approved courses by CTEC have an assigned three part course number that includes a “QE” such as (9999-QE-9999). These numbers are available from the provider and are found on the course completion certificate that is issued from the school to students who successfully complete the course.

CTEC begins taking renewal registrations from preparers on August 1st of each year. Once you are registered with CTEC, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education by October 31st of each year. Students can register with CTEC after October 31st, but will pay a late fee. Note that CTEC may also impose additional requirements.

The IRS requires all paid tax preparers who prepare or assist with preparing a federal tax return to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Applicants will have to pay a $64.25 fee and renew their PTIN each year by December 31^st (also applicable to new applicants). Since this is an IRS mandate, CTEC registered tax preparers (CRTPs) will no longer be allowed to renew their CTEC registration unless they have a valid PTIN. CRTPs will not be exempt from any of the new IRS continuing education requirements. The IRS has created a Return Preparer Office to oversee the new registration system and continuing education administration. CRTPs and RTRPs will have to complete 15 federal CE hours each year. You may register online at www.irs.gov and click on the Tax Professionals tab.

Within 18 months of completing a qualifying education course (60-hr course), obtain a $5,000 Tax Preparer bond from an insurance/surety company and complete a New Preparer application with CTEC. Mail the application to CTEC along with a check for $33. You will receive your statement of compliance as a Registered Tax Preparer within 4 to 6 weeks. 

Finan & Saavedra Insurance Agency www.saavedrainsurance.com is our affiliate / sister company, they provide a quick and convenient way to obtain a bond at a very affordable price. Note that you must be at least 18 years old, and submit the provided bond application to our school to complete the bond process. For more information on how to apply for a Tax Preparers bond click here.

Your previous tax bond will most likely not cover your tax business outside of your employer. Until you obtain a valid bond to cover your new tax business, state law will prohibit you from preparing taxes.

Certainly you can! Millions of students all over the world use online and correspondence courses to complete their studies. Many students have taken advantage of our home study courses and are getting prepared for a new career, pay increase, job advancement, or simply for personal enrichment. Our current online courses are up to par with the latest online educational methods, much like many online university courses. We also have one of the highest course passing rates in the industry.

It is helpful to have a high school diploma or an equivalent educational certificate. However, if you can read and write, have a curious mind, and have the sincere desire to succeed in this new tax career – you should be able to master this course!

No. All of our courses are shown with their respective cost and tuition. This covers the entire course from beginning to end and any subsequent support from the course instructor(s). All of the course materials are included in one economical price.

If you study regularly, you should be able to graduate within 30 days. The school automatically allows students 90 days to complete the course. Note that if an extension is needed we are able to allow up to six months to complete the course from the date of purchase. The course and its final exam must be completed and submitted for grading within 6 months from the date of purchase, after this date the course expires.

You may begin preparing tax returns after you complete the required education, obtain your tax bond and register yourself with CTEC.

Your status will be changed to “delinquent” until you complete the required education and complete the renewal application. You will also need to pay the $33 registration fee and a $55.00 delinquent/late fee. Your status will remain delinquent until your application is processed by CTEC. Note that during this time your bond may be canceled by your insurance/surety company, and a tax preparer may not conduct business without a current surety bond. The grace period for late renewals will also be cut short from 12 months to 10 weeks starting November 1, 2012. CRTPs who do not renew their registration by January 15th and each year thereafter, will have to retake the 60-hour qualifying education course from an approved education provider, and register as new CRTPs.

CTEC is authorized to consider “a minimum of two recent years experience in the preparation of personal income tax returns” to determine if an individual has achieved “the equivalent of the required qualifying education.” Those who prepared taxes in violation of the statute may not use such time to qualify for this exception. Call CTEC to receive an Experience In Lieu of Education Application. The above means that anyone who has had a CPA, EA, or Attorney License for the last two years; anyone who was employed by one of those three for the last two years; or anyone moving to CA from out of state with two years experience, may apply to receive an exemption from taking the full 60-hour qualifying education course. You may only use this application (which must be requested by e-mail at [email protected], or by calling 1-877-850-2832 ) if you fit into one of the above categories.

Generally speaking, CPAs, Attorneys, Enrolled Agents and anyone employed by these individuals are exempt from the Act. For a full description of all requirements please refer to Section 22258-22259. Copies of The Tax Preparer Act and a “General Information for Tax Preparers” are available from CTEC.

Once you complete the required education, CTEC Approved Providers like our school will electronically submit your hours to CTEC.

All approved courses by CTEC have an assigned three part course number that includes a CE (9999-CE-9999). These numbers are found on the course completion certificate issued by the school to students who successfully complete the course.

No. CTEC’S council has no authority to certify any education that is not provided by a curriculum provider approved in advance by CTEC. Schools that want to offer courses that qualify for the Tax Preparation Act should apply to CTEC to become an approved curriculum provider.

Copies of The Tax Preparation Act and a “General Information for Tax Preparers” are available from CTEC.

Yes. The law is limited to overseeing tax preparers who are preparing state and federal tax returns for a fee within the State of California. Out-of-state tax preparers are not obligated to meet California requirements.

You can search for a CTEC Approved Education Provider by going to the Approved Education Providers link on CTEC’s website or write or call CTEC and request a List of Approved Education Providers.

Any person who for a fee, assists with or prepares a State or Federal tax return, or assumes responsibility for such a return, or who offers these services.

No. You only need to pay one fee for each preparer.