Continuing education (CE) credits are essential for tax preparers to stay knowledgeable about evolving tax laws and regulations. The IRS mandates that tax preparers complete a specific number of CE credits to maintain their credentials, which varies based on your designation. You can earn these credits through various avenues, including in-person events, live webinars, volunteering for IRS programs like VITA, and completing relevant courses.
If attending in-person sessions isn’t feasible, the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum Online (NTFO) program offers a convenient alternative, allowing you to access seminars from previous years and earn credits at your own pace. With these online options, fitting continuing education into your busy schedule has never been easier, helping you stay compliant and informed year-round.
Nationwide Tax Forum Online (NTFO)
The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online (NTFO) is a virtual self-study program for tax preparers that offers courses based on recorded seminar lectures and presentations from previous forums. The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums offers tax preparers an excellent opportunity to network, stay updated on tax law changes, and earn necessary continuing education (CE) credits to maintain their certification.
How to earn online CE credits through the NTFO
To receive credits, you must create a user account at IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online using your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and email address. Once you create an account, you’ll have access to various courses on a range of topics designed to help you serve individual taxpayers and business entities.
Each continuing education credit costs $29, paid through PayPal. The courses are formatted as 50-minute speaker presentations and include access to the seminar video, PowerPoint, transcript, review questions, and final examination. There is no additional charge for retaking a course, but keep in mind you will not receive extra credit for repeating a seminar.
Available NTFO online courses
NTFO seminars have no prerequisites, allowing you to select courses that align with your specific needs. You’ll find courses on virtual currency and digital assets, the latest changes to Form 1099-K, ethical compliance in your tax practice, and more. Visit the NFTO website for the live list of courses available for CE credits. Here is a list of seminars from the 2024 forum, now available online:
- Bark and Bite: How the IRS Watchdog Protects You from Fraud and Scams
- Choosing Retirement Plan in SECURE 2.0 World
- Circular 230 and the Lifecycle of a Practitioner Practicing Before the IRS
- Circular 230: Professional Responsibility in Today’s Tax Practice
- Digital Assets: What Tax Pros Should Know
- E-Services and you
- IRS Transformation and the Future Vision of the Agency
- Let’s Chat about What You Need to Know about Transcripts and How We Might Improve Them
- Mastering IRS Authorizations with Forms 2848 and 8821
- New Online Features for Tax Pros: Do Business Faster and Easier with IRS Online
- Partnerships and Non-resident Alien Withholding
- Residential Energy and Clean Vehicle Credits
- Retirement Plans and IRAs: Distribution and Repayment Options Under SECURE 2.0
- Steering Clear of Mistakes – A Review of Refundable Credit Eligibility Rules
- Taxation of U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens (Green Card Holders) Living Abroad
- What Taxpayers Need to Know about Disaster Tax Relief
How NTFO CE credits are managed
NTFO uses your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to track and report continuing education credits you’ve completed. When creating your account, verify that your name and PTIN are entered exactly as they are in the IRS PTIN system. This ensures that the IRS Return Preparer Office can accept your course completion certifications and issue the appropriate credits.
You can access your online PTIN account to see the continuing education programs you have completed and reported to the IRS. It’s important to complete email verification for your PTIN account. Email verification will ensure you can access review questions, the final examination, and a record of your CE credits.
Online webinars for tax preparers
Providers such as the IRS and the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) offer various informative webinars designed to enhance tax professionals’ knowledge and skills. These sessions cover critical topics, including recent tax law updates, best practices for client communication, and advanced auditing techniques.
Attending these webinars goes beyond fulfilling Continuing Education (CE) credit requirements. Tax preparers who complete these IRS-approved tax preparation courses online gain access to expert insights from seasoned professionals, valuable networking opportunities, and the convenience of learning at their own pace. By participating in these sessions, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of complex tax topics, which can lead to improved client satisfaction and increased efficiency in preparing returns.
Pro tip: The TaxSlayer Pro Webinar Library offers on-demand webinars featuring industry trends, business growth strategies, and continuing education resources to enhance your knowledge and keep you informed.
More ways to earn CE credits for tax preparers
For a unique, engaging way to earn your CE credits, consider joining us at TaxSlayer Pro’s Annual Seminar. You’ll network with other dynamic, successful tax preparers while learning the latest tax laws and new ways to grow your business.
