This CTEC‑approved California Tax Preparer program meets the 2026 60‑hour Qualifying Education (QE) requirement required to become a California Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) and includes the required 20‑hour Continuing Education (CE) for the following year, all in one comprehensive bundle. Approved by the California Tax Education Council (CTEC Vendor #2080), the program is ideal for beginners seeking a structured, hands‑on path to certification and career readiness. The course emphasizes practical tax preparation skills through guided practice and real‑world application.
Module 1: Federal Individual Income Tax Fundamentals
Module 2: Filing Status and Tax Forms Selection
Module 3: Credits and Adjustments
Module 4: Itemized Deductions and Schedule A (Federal & California)
Module 5: California‑Specific Taxes and Withholding (CASDI)
Module 6: Practice Tax Returns I
Module 7: Practice Tax Returns II
Module 8: Ethics and Preparer Responsibilities
Module 9: Federal Tax Law Updates
Module 10: California Tax Law Updates
Module 11: Practice Tax Returns III
Module 12: Review and Examination Preparation
Module 13: Final Assessments and Certification Readiness
Continuing Education Modules (Year 2 Requirement)
Module 14: Ethics and Limited Representation Rights
Module 15: Federal Tax Updates and Inflation Adjustments
Module 16: California Tax Law Updates
Module 17: Advanced Practice Scenarios and Compliance
Upon completion of this program, the learner will be able to:
Prepare a basic federal individual income tax return.
Identify and apply the correct filing status and tax forms.
Determine credits and deductions for which taxpayers may qualify.
Complete Practice Tax Returns (PTRs) aligned with federal and California tax law.
Apply Schedule A deductions, including California‑specific items such as CASDI.
Understand limited representation rights for tax preparers.
Interpret annual inflation adjustments, including standard deduction changes.
Apply Section 199A deduction limits.
Identify eligibility for Casualty and Theft Loss deductions.
Recognize penalties related to refundable tax credits.
Upon completion of this program, learners are eligible to register as a California Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP).
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.