Annual Filing Season Program CE

Each year, various limits impacting income tax return preparation and tax planning are affected by inflation-related changes. In addition, various new tax laws may be passed. This course will examine many of those changes.

The Annual Federal Tax Refresher course is designed to meet the requirements of the IRS voluntary Annual Filing Season program. It discusses new tax law and recent updates for the upcoming filing season, provides a general tax review, and examines important rules governing tax return preparer ethics, practices and procedures.

Part 1 of this course covers the rules governing Roth IRAs, beginning with an introduction to traditional IRAs and rollovers before comparing Roth and traditional IRA features. It addresses Roth IRA eligibility and contribution rules, conversion and recharacterization procedures, distribution taxation including qualified distributions and the additional tax on early withdrawals, required minimum distribution rules, and Roth 401(k) plan provisions.

Part 2 of this course examines key federal income tax issues related to real estate ownership. It explains the rules for calculating gain or loss on the sale of a main home, including basis adjustments, the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion, and special situations such as foreclosure, cancellation of debt, and divorce. Part 2 also covers rental income and expenses, personal versus rental use of property, depreciation (including bonus depreciation), passive activity limitations, and vacation home rules. Practical guidance is provided to help taxpayers properly report transactions and maximize allowable deductions.

Part 3 of this course covers the way tax preparers have a unique responsibility to safeguard their clients’ data because savvy cyber criminals know that they have access to very sensitive data, including Social Security numbers. Part 3 will look at security recommendations from the FTC, both for general business information and for tax preparer-specific information. It will detail the FTC Safeguards Rule and outline how to create a specifically tailored Written Information Security Plan (WISP).

This course examines the ethical obligations and professional standards that govern tax practice. It provides a detailed review of Treasury Department Circular 230, including its key provisions, restrictions, and disciplinary procedures, along with a thorough look at the Statements on Standards for Tax Services. Tax professionals will gain a clear understanding of their responsibilities when practicing before the IRS and advising clients on tax matters.

Part 1 of this course covers the rules governing Roth IRAs, beginning with an introduction to traditional IRAs and rollovers before comparing Roth and traditional IRA features. It addresses Roth IRA eligibility and contribution rules, conversion and recharacterization procedures, distribution taxation including qualified distributions and the additional tax on early withdrawals, required minimum distribution rules, and Roth 401(k) plan provisions.

Part 2 of this course examines key federal income tax issues related to real estate ownership. It explains the rules for calculating gain or loss on the sale of a main home, including basis adjustments, the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion, and special situations such as foreclosure, cancellation of debt, and divorce. Part 2 also covers rental income and expenses, personal versus rental use of property, depreciation (including bonus depreciation), passive activity limitations, and vacation home rules. Practical guidance is provided to help taxpayers properly report transactions and maximize allowable deductions.

Part 3 of this course covers the way tax preparers have a unique responsibility to safeguard their clients’ data because savvy cyber criminals know that they have access to very sensitive data, including Social Security numbers. Part 3 will look at security recommendations from the FTC, both for general business information and for tax preparer-specific information. It will detail the FTC Safeguards Rule and outline how to create a specifically tailored Written Information Security Plan (WISP).

This course provides a concise overview of key federal income tax changes for 2026, including updates to individual tax rates, standard mileage rates, the permanent standard deduction, SALT deduction changes, child tax credit, tax on tips and overtime, car loan interest deduction, clean energy and vehicle incentives, bonus depreciation, research and experimental expenses, AMT exemption amounts, and estate and gift tax exemptions. The course also covers tax credit changes, PPACA-related provisions, updates to Archer MSAs, HSAs, and IRAs, key SECURE Act 2.0 provisions, and the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on 2025 and 2026 income.

This course examines the ethical obligations and professional standards that govern tax practice. It provides a detailed review of Treasury Department Circular 230, including its key provisions, restrictions, and disciplinary procedures, along with a thorough look at the Statements on Standards for Tax Services. Tax professionals will gain a clear understanding of their responsibilities when practicing before the IRS and advising clients on tax matters.