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 program enables students to start working and earning money while completing coursework toward the CTP professional credential.

After successfully completing the first course in the CTP certificate program, 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 IRS Competency Exam.

A CTP is also able to prepare returns for small business corporations and partnership and more complex sole proprietorships.  As a CTP you will have the tax knowledge and experience to prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam, if you wish to add the coveted EA credential to your professional designation as a CTP.

The Steps to Becoming a CTP

1. Successfully complete The Income Tax School series of six 30-hour Income Tax Programs (four additional Programs beyond the 60-hour Comprehensive Tax Program). An average grade of at least 80% must be attained (our adult students average 90%+).

2. Meet the experience requirement of working at least two tax seasons (a minimum of 500 hours) as a tax preparer while in the program (prior tax preparation experience will count for experienced tax professionals who test out of the basic and/or intermediate programs).

After completing this comprehensive certificate program, you’ll be well prepared to handle almost any individual and small business income tax situation you encounter. You’ll also be ready to take the next step in your career as a tax professional by preparing for and taking the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam. The EA designation is the most significant credential in the income tax preparation industry, even more relevant than the CPA designation.

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. Therefore, you should take our California Chartered Tax Professional certificate program, which will enable you to meet the CTEC requirements while also earning your professional CTP designation. For the California CTP program please click here.

Internship Opportunities

An internship offers you practical experience to enhance your education, while helping you earn hours to satisfy the CTP experience requirement. You may be paid as an intern, and you can make professional connections that can lead to career growth.

To qualify for an internship, you must have completed at least the first 30-hour program in the Chartered Tax Professional Certificate Program with a grade of 80% or higher. You may be paid a modest hourly wage to work (or work unpaid if both parties agree) on a trial basis. Although internships aren’t guaranteed, hundreds of firms nationwide register each year to work with CTP interns.

Click here to learn more about the CTP Internship program.

Upon registering, you're given an initial eighteen months to complete this program.  Should you need more time beyond the eighteen months, an extension may be available.

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be able to:

• Practice as a qualified tax professional
• Prepare tax returns for all individual U.S. taxpayers
• Prepare small businesses corporate, partnership, and sole-proprietor tax returns
• Conduct a professional tax preparation client interview
• Provide tax planning for individuals and small business owners
• Meet the IRS e-File and due diligence requirements for tax practitioners
• Understand the ethical responsibilities of tax professionals
• Prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) examination

Individual Income Tax Preparation

1. 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
       
       
2. 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
       
       
3. 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
       
       

Small Business Income Tax Preparation

1. 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
       
       
2. 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.

A high school diploma or equivalent is a prerequisite for this program. 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.

This program is suitable for all adults who seek a fast track to a professional white-collar career. Tax preparation is especially appealing to those who would enjoy helping other people by making the intimidating task of tax preparation a pleasant experience, while saving their clients money by minimizing their tax liabilities.

Tax preparation is also an ideal career choice for those looking for part-time income. Homemakers with young children find tax preparation a convenient profession, as they're able to be off when their children are out of school for the summer, yet maintain their professional skills. College students prepare taxes as an opportunity to gain professional work experience and credentials to strengthen their resumes. Moonlighting professionals use tax preparation a source of extra income during winter months.

Many employed and self-employed individuals such as financial services and real-estate professionals find tax preparation a complementary profession to earn extra money and generate leads for their other professional activities, while also enabling them to better serve their clients through knowledge of the tax consequences of their clients' decisions.

This program is compatible with the Windows XP and later operating systems and IE 7 and later browsers.

Each of the six modules is accompanied by a student text (350-500 pages). The entire text is provided online; however, hard copies of student texts are also provided at the start of each program for your convenience and future reference. You'll also be provided with hard copies of tax forms to complete tax return problems.

Instructor support is provided through e-mail by experienced practicing tax professionals employed by Peoples Income Tax, Inc., a sister company of The Income Tax School.

A demonstration for this program is coming soon!