Professional Tax
Preparer
Certification (DL)

About the Program

This online program teaches students how to become a tax preparation specialist equipped to prepare federal income tax filings for individuals and businesses. Students will also learn the current tax guidelines needed to prepare tax filings. The coursework provides an overview of the documents, statements and other necessary filing materials.

This is a self-paced program. Self-paced programs create a unique learning experience that allows students to learn independently and at a pace that best suits them.

CERTIFICATION

After completing this course, the student will need to obtain a Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS, and pay a $35.95 registration fee. The registration fee is included in the tuition.

Tax professionals can obtain a PTIN through the IRS website. The online application process typically takes less than 15 minutes. Alternatively, applicants can submit a paper application by filing IRS Form W-12. Tax preparers should receive their PTINs in 4-6 weeks after submitting the paper application.

irs logo.png

Tuition: $3,297

Duration: 100 Hours

Students will have access to the program for 1 full year.

Prerequisites: HS diploma/GED, basic computer skills and familiarity with the internet

* Tuition Cost covers the PTIN registration fee as well as a reasonable cost of the first 2 years of the tax preparer bond.

To learn more about ETI’s tuition and financial aid options, click here.

Course Breakdown

  • This course covers the process of completing page one of the 1040 Form. This includes a complete discussion of the various forms of taxable and non-taxable income along with the income adjustments required to calculate the adjusted gross income, or AGI.

    • Getting Started

    • Wages, Salaries & Tips

    • Schedule B – Interest/Dividend Income

    • Schedules C-EZ & F – Self-employment and Farm Income

    • Schedule D – Capital Gain and Loss

    • Retirement Income

    • Schedule E – Rental, Royalty, Partnership & S Corp Income

    • Other Types of Income

    • Occupational Adjustments

    • Personal Adjustments

  • This course includes training on the remainder of the 1040 Form and describes the meaning of various lines on page two. The student also learns how to calculate itemized deductions, tax credits, and additional taxes. Upon completion of Modules 1 and 2, the student will be proficient in preparing personal tax returns.

    • Standard and Itemized Deduction

    • Taxable Income

    • Income Tax Calculation

    • Additional Taxes

    • Credits

    • Submit 1040 Form

  • This course covers tax preparation in the field of business returns. This includes Schedule C for Proprietorships, Form 1065 for Partnerships, Form 1120 for C Corporations, and Form 1120S for S Corporations. It teaches how to differentiate between the forms and how to become an expert in the field of business tax returns.

    • Business Entities

    • Tax Elements in Accounting

    • Financial Components

    • Dispositions of Business Property

    • Schedule C

    • Form 1065

    • Form 1120

    • Form 1120-S

  • This course will prepare you to start your own contract tax preparation service. You will learn what equipment and software is needed, effective and inexpensive marketing techniques, competitive pricing strategies, and key tactics that will maximize your potential for success.

    • Getting Started Right

    • Effective Marketing

    • Comfortable Interviewing Techniques

    • Profitable Fee Calculations

    • Always the Expert Tax Preparer