Basic Tax Courses

National and state licensing requirements
National Licensing is here. For the first time in history, IRS is mandating all paid tax preparers pass a competency test.   Non-exempt preparers must pass the test by the end of 2013. 

Important News Update Affecting All RTRPs: The IRS has been enjoined by U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. from enforcing testing and CE requirements for RTRPs and tax preparers who have not yet taken the RTRP test.  It is anticipated that IRS will appeal this ruling, however the future of the RTRP program is uncertain at this time.  Currently, CE is optional rather than mandatory for RTRPs and tax preparers who have not yet taken the RTRP test.  Stay tuned to IRS' Return Preparer Office Facebook page for the latest information at https://www.facebook.com/IRStaxpros.  The court ruling does not impact Enrolled Agents, CPAs or attorneys who are still required to maintain CE.

Oregon requires all paid tax preparers take an approved 80-Hour Basic Tax Course and pass Board administered examinations.  Oregon requirements are in addition to IRS requirements.

California requires all paid tax preparers complete an approved 60-Hour Basic Tax Course in Federal and California Law.  California requirements are in addition to IRS requirements.

Develop the knowledge and skills employers will appreciate
Qualified and knowledgeable tax preparers are hard to find.   Tax preparers must achieve a level of knowledge necessary to pass federal or state exams, but more importantly they must be able to apply tax knowledge to the preparation of tax returns. 

While most tax education programs offer little more than theoretical coverage of tax law, our Basic Tax Course provides in-depth education that extends beyond theory and into the mechanics of tax form preparation.   Students are taught tax law, how to read tax reporting documents and how to complete tax forms. 

Comprehensive, relevant, and affordable tax education
The Basic Tax Course provides 100 hours of education delivered through a carefully designed online learning management system.  Course content includes 59 hours of lecture video, detailed student manuals, comprehensive tax return assignments and quizzes, and answer keys with references and explanations.  Recommended completion time is 12 weeks. 

Our school is frequently contacted by accounting and tax firms who are looking for graduates of our programs.  Prospective and current employers are assured that graduates of our Basic Tax Course have completed a program that adheres to the highest educational standards by:

• Delivering quality content,
• Providing interactive student support,
• Monitoring student adherence to completing all course assignments, and
• Ensuring certificates of completion are awarded only to students who successfully complete all course assignments and tests.

Enroll in the first two sessions for FREE!

Examine the quality and thoroughness of our Basic Tax Course at no charge. If you like what you see you can purchase the rest of the course.

Course syllabus
Our goal is to make your learning experience as enjoyable as possible. We have taken the complex realm of individual tax law and summarized it into 23 federal tax law sessions. (Oregon and California students receive an additional 5 sessions covering state tax law.)

Click here for federal tax law course syllabus.

Click here for Oregon and federal tax law course syllabus.

Click here for California and federal tax law course syllabus.

Varied learning activities keep students engaged
Each interactive session is divided into a number of different learning activities including:

• Full-length lecture videos for all 23 sessions.
• Relevant classwork assignments that apply concepts covered during each session to preparation of tax forms.
• Homework assignments that build upon knowledge from current and earlier sessions.
• Practice quizzes are given every session to assess knowledge levels and hone test-taking skills needed for tax preparer exams.
• All classwork, homework and quiz assignments are accompanied by detailed answer keys that are reviewed during the lecture videos.
• A Q&A Forum which allows students to post questions and receive answers from school instructors.

Oregon and California Students
Pacific Northwest Tax School is the leading study program for students who wish to meet Oregon and California state licensing requirements. Our course is suitable for students who want to enter the tax preparation industry for the first time, as well as for more experienced tax professionals wanting to expand and build upon their existing knowledge base.

Save Money on Your Own Return
What you don't know is probably costing you money. Many of our students report they "earn" the cost of our Basic Tax Course back before they are even half way through the program because they discover they have over-paid taxes on a back-year return!

Federal tax laws offer a dizzying array of deductions and credits. Learning about additional taxes and deductions available at the state level adds even greater complexity. Our Basic Tax Course will equip you to plan your financial future, learn tax savings strategies, and avoid costly mistakes!