Purpose The Return Preparer Office (RPO) Continuing Education (CE) department is responsible for registering, renewing, and overseeing continuing education providers who offer educational programs to enrolled agents (EAs), enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPAs), and other tax return preparers.

EAs, ERPAs and tax professionals who voluntarily participate in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Annual Filing Season Program must annually complete required continuing education from an IRS-approved CE provider.

RPO CE develops and oversees standards and requirements for CE providers. It ensures tax professionals receive high-quality continuing education and that CE courses focus on federal tax, federal tax related matters, or ethics.

RPO CE supports the voluntary IRS Annual Filing Season Program, recognizing that continuing education is vital to effective tax administration. Continuing professional education enables tax return preparers to keep current with tax laws and expand their knowledge within their expertise.

Audience- These instructions are for employees of the CE department in RPO.

Policy Owner – The RPO Director is responsible for overseeing the continuing education provider application approval and renewal processes, completing compliance reviews for new and established CE programs, and facilitating the delivery of quality continuing education.

Program Owner - The Director, Competency and Standards (C&S), reports to the RPO Director and is responsible for overseeing the CE department, which is accountable for:

Primary Stakeholders: RPO C&S CE department interact with the following to administer the CE program:

Individuals or entities seeking to advertise and offer IRS CE to EAs, ERPAs and other tax professionals must apply with RPO CE, pay a fee, and agree to comply with Circular 230 requirements for courses they offer.

The RPO CE unit ensures that CE providers meets standards outlined in the following authorities and references:

Circular 230 § 10.9 States that a continuing education provider must —

The Competency & Standards Director administers and oversees the RPO CE program.

The CE group manager is responsible for the following:

The management and program analysts are responsible for the following:

The senior tax analyst operates as a team leader and is responsible for the following:

The tax analyst is responsible for the following:

The management and program analyst identifies a selected list of continuing education providers. The analyst maintains a spreadsheet to coordinate the assignment of CE providers to be reviewed by the tax analysts. The tax analysts open and work their assigned provider review using the CE system. The provider reviews measure whether a CE provider meets IRS standards and continuing education requirements.

CE provider applications are received and processed electronically by the CE department in the CE system. Two tax analysts, serving as first and second-level reviewer process applications to determine whether they meet approval based on IRS Rev. Proc. 2012-12, Circular 230 Section 10.9 and the CE Provider Standards.

The EA CE audit selection process begins with the C&S and EAP&M Director’s approval and their request that an RPO technical advisor generates a list of renewals for the past renewal cycle. EAP&M coordinates with Research, Applied Analytics & Statistics (RAAS) to determine the process for selecting the sample size. After the RPO Director approves the selection process and sample size, the audit commences by members of C&S and EAP&M.

Circular 230 - the term used for Treasury Department Circular No. 230, Regulations Governing Practice before the IRS.

Form 8498 - Continuing Education Provider Application and Request for Provider Number.

A CE provider uses Form 8498 to:

Form 14406 - Continuing Education Provider Program Material Request. The CE department uses the form to request program material and records from CE providers for review.

Form 14360 - Continuing Education Provider Complaint Referral. Tax return preparers and others use the form to submit a complaint referral concerning an IRS-approved CE provider.

IRS.gov/taxpros/ce

CE providers use Form 8498 - Continuing Education Provider Application and Request for Provider Number for the following:

Circular 230 § 10.9 States that a continuing education provider must —

A CE provider applying under status (i), (ii), or (iii) as described in Circular 230 § 10.9, has a short pathway to becoming approved by the IRS to offer CE. The applicant must apply, present an accreditation letter for their status, and pay a fee. An applicant can submit Form 8498, Continuing Education Provider Application and Request for Provider Number, electronically through the CE provider system or by mail.

Form 8498 instructions require a status (iv) provider to apply, pay a fee and submit one program for each tax category offering to include: program material, program syllabus, instructor biography, program examination, evaluation form and sample certificate of completion.

Two tax analysts serving as first and second-level reviewers use Circular 230 Section 10.9, Revenue Procedure 2012-12, the CE Provider Standards, and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) in determining the approval of a CE provider application.

For a status (i), (ii), and (iii) application, the reviewers will verify the CE provider’s accreditation letter. For a status (iv) application, the reviewers will assess the syllabus, program description, and program material to ensure the field of study covers one of the required IRS CE tax categories. (AFTR, EA special enrollment exam (SEE) test preparation, tax ethics, federal tax/federal tax-related matters, federal tax update or qualified retirement plan matters).

The reviewers consider whether the course is accurate and well-developed, with objectives that enhance knowledge of federal taxation. The reviewers consider the background, training, education and experience of the course developer and instructor to determine whether they have a suitable level of competency for the subject matter and the ability to communicate effectively.

Finally, the reviewers will evaluate the providers’ course evaluation, certificate of completion, attendance processes and program delivery methods to ensure they meet the CE Provider Standards requirements and information shared on the IRS’ CE webpage.

After the IRS approves a CE provider application, the applicant will receive their CE provider number and can decide whether they want to appear on the IRS public listing of approved CE providers.

CE providers must develop programs, program descriptions and allotted hours, then obtain program numbers before advertising or offering their course.

CE providers can obtain a program number electronically through the CE system or by completing and submitting Form 8498 to the IRS.

CE providers must include their program numbers on the Certificate of Completion (COC) and use the number to report course completions.

Programs expire on December 31, three years from a program’s approval date. AFTR program numbers are only available between April 1 through October 1 and expire annually on December 31.

CE providers should review their programs at least once annually. CE providers must obtain a new program number when program content changes. CE providers should remove a program that is beyond any EA’s allowed completion date and is any of the following:

Providers cannot use that program number once a program expires systemically or by a provider’s early removal. They can, however, continue to report any CE credit that participants completed before a program’s expiration date.

All CE provider statuses expire annually on December 31. CE Providers must review and update their programs before beginning the renewal process, and they must also renew their provider status annually and pay a fee.

CE providers must collect the PTIN during their program registration process for all attendees who want to receive IRS credit. If the attendee provides a PTIN, the CE provider must report the completed CE credits. Providers must upload the attendee’s PTIN, first and last name, program number, number of credit hours earned and program completion date to the IRS CE provider system.

CE providers can submit participants’ CE course completion information through their online CE provider account using Manual PTIN reporting to enter one participant at a time or the PTIN Upload Excel template to report multiple participants.

During the first nine months of the year, CE providers must report program completion information quarterly at a minimum (by March 31, June 30, and September 30) or within ten business days of the completion date, whichever is later. During the fourth quarter (October 1 – December 31), providers must report CE credits within ten business days of delivery of each program.

CE providers can only submit AFTR course completion information with June 1 through December 31 completion dates.

Programs/courses must be completed by midnight local time by the student on December 31 to count for current calendar year credit.

CE providers may report CE credits more frequently than the scheduled due dates. CE providers are encouraged to upload completions as soon as possible. They can submit records at any time and may do so after each program.

Twice each weekday, a CE vendor transfers CE completion records to the vendor of the PTIN system for processing. PTIN holders can view details of all CE course completions taken from an IRS-approved CE provider in their PTIN account. Preparers can determine whether they received the correct number of CE hours and whether CE providers reported course completions in the correct category. EAs, EARPs and Annual Filing Season Program participants can track their progress in meeting IRS CE requirements to maintain their status or credential. If a preparer has a discrepancy regarding their CE credits, they should contact their provider directly before engaging the CE department.

During provider reviews, the CE department reconciles data in the CE and PTIN systems and provider records to determine if a provider is timely reporting course completions. Failure to report CE completions can be grounds for the IRS to revoke a provider’s approved status.

During provider reviews, the tax review analyst will communicate with the CE provider’s point of contact to discuss their CE programs, request program material records and conduct interviews.

The CE department conducts reviews with the aid of the CE provider system. The tax analyst can issue electronic letters and secure emails to the CE provider concerning a provider review. The provider can reply and send files through the CE system in response. The provider may also submit information by mail if they choose. Generally, the provider must provide program material, records, access to online deliveries and other information for the tax analyst to conduct the review.

The purpose of a CE Provider review by a Review Analyst is to verify that the provider is following guidance as provided by:

The CE Provider Standards cover the following elements, which tax analysts evaluate during a provider review:

Tax analysts are responsible for conducting four types of reviews:

Upon assignment, the review analyst will perform research in preparation for the review. Steps 1 through 3 highlight the tax analyst’s actions to begin the review and request information from the CE provider.

Step 1. Preliminary Research Before Review - The review analyst will conduct initial research on the CE Provider by reviewing any previous contacts with the CE Provider logged in the online provider system. In addition, the review analyst will do the following:

Step 2. Pre-Interview Contact - The review analyst will contact the PPOC by telephone to introduce themselves. The review analyst will explain to the PPOC the purpose of the review, inform the PPOC of the program the review analyst has selected for review and explain the review process to the PPOC. The review analyst will also describe the documentation the PPOC will need to submit and answer any questions the PPOC may have regarding any aspect of the review.

Step 3. Initial Contact Letter and Program Material Request (PMR) - After the review analyst’s discussion with the PPOC, the analyst will complete Form 14406, Continuing Education Provider Program Material Request (PMR), to verify what is needed to review that program (such as program material, instructor’s biography, COC, course evaluations, PTIN, upload documentation, etc.

The review analyst will send the PMR with a Continuing Education Initial Contact-Post Approval Review Letter 5000 to the provider’s account within the online CE provider system. The PPOC has 21 days to respond and upload all materials and information requested.

After the CE provider has responded to the program material request, the review analyst must review the material, records and all information furnished by the CE provider. The information may be in electric or written form and may include access to the provider’s CE portal or recorded content. The remaining steps illustrate a review analyst’s actions to complete the review process.

Step 4. Once the PPOC provides program material and records, the review analyst will determine if the CE provider submitted all requested information. If any requested documentation is missing or additional documentation is needed, the analyst should contact the provider to request documentation to complete the review. The review analyst may send the Continuing Education Post Approval Review Additional Information Request Letter 5002 and a second PMR requesting the documentation. The analyst will review the program material to verify the material is well-written, correct and covers current tax law. When examining a self-study course, the analyst will ensure that the provider offers a final exam that meets the CE Provider Standards. The analyst will determine whether test questions are well written, follow the requirements outlined in Standard No. 7 and reconcile with the program material. During this time, the review analyst will note deficiencies in the CE Provider’s program material, tests or other related CE processes. In addition, the analyst will review the CE Provider’s processes for issuing certificates of completion and uploading the student’s PTIN information.

A review analyst may occasionally want to expand the review to include an additional program. A reason to expand would be that based on the assessment of the initial program material submitted, there were many problems with the material content, tests or other issues identified during the review.

Step 5. Making an Appointment & Sending a Confirmation Letter - Once the review analyst completes their review of the documentation submitted, the analyst should contact the provider to set up an appointment date for an interview and may send a Continuing Appointment Confirmation Letter 5013 to confirm the appointment.

Step 6. Conducting the Interview with the PPOC - The interview of the PPOC is one of the most important aspects of a review. It allows the review analyst to understand the provider’s background, the development and administration of courses, CE data processes and record retention policies.

The interview also serves as a means of developing additional facts, determining and communicating areas of non-compliance by Providers, and ensuring that they follow the CE Provider Standards. The provider review is a learning experience for both the provider and the review analyst. The review analyst should address any Provider questions that may arise during the interview. During the interview, the review analyst should make suggestions to help a Provider improve the likelihood of future compliance.

Step 7. Preparation of Summary of Findings - The review analyst will prepare a Summary of Findings after reviewing all documentation submitted and interviewing the PPOC. The Summary of Findings is the provider’s final report summarizing and supporting their determination concerning the provider’s compliance. It contains a summary of notable items discussed during the review. It outlines any recommendations of areas needing correction for the provider to become compliant with the IRS CE Provider Standards.

The review analyst will consider the following to determine whether the provider meets the standards of compliance:

Closing a Formal Review - Upon conclusion of the review, the review analyst will fully document the reasons for the determination, issue the appropriate closing letter and attach a copy of the Summary of Findings. The determinations can be:

Overview:Basic competency for paid tax return preparers is essential to accurate return preparation, improved tax compliance, effective tax administration and public protection.

The IRS established the Annual Filing Season Program, a voluntary program that encourages uncredentialed tax return preparers to complete continuing education courses to improve their tax law knowledge.

The Annual Filing Season Program is designed for uncredentialed tax return preparers but credentialed attorneys, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), EAs, enrolled actuaries and ERPAs are invited by the IRS to participate.

The CE department promotes and explains the Annual Filing Season Program and the benefits of the program to its CE providers. CE providers are encouraged to offer CE geared towards the program, including the AFTR course, and to explain the benefits to tax professionals, which include:

A tax professional’s exempt or non-exempt status determines their CE requirements for the Annual Filing Season Program. See IRS Publication 5646 – Annual Filing Season Program Participants CE Requirements.

Non-exempt - Non-exempt return preparers do not have a credential recognized by the IRS for Annual Filing Season Program purposes, meaning they are not an attorney, CPA or in one of the IRS-enrolled programs, nor have they met one of the IRS, national or state competency exam/exemption requirements that the IRS acknowledges.

Non-exempt return preparers must complete the six-hour AFTR course and pass the AFTR test with a 70% grade or higher. Non-exempt preparers must also complete 10 CE hours in the federal tax law category and two CE hours of ethics for 18 hours of CE.

Exempt - An exempt tax return preparer (as described in the next Section 25.20.4.26) must complete at least three hours of CE in the tax law update category, 10 CE hours of federal tax law and two CE hours of ethics, a total of 15 CE hours compared to 18 hours of CE for non-exempt preparers. Exempt preparers are not required to complete the AFTR Course and Test.

IRS recognizes the accomplishments of credentialed tax return preparers, return preparers who passed the Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) test and preparers that passed specific other IRS or state competency exams/exemptions.

Three states (OR, CA, and MD) regulate tax return preparers who have a state exam. Preparers with active and valid credentials from these states can receive an exemption.

The IRS recognizes three of its competency exams for purposes of an AFTR exemption. Preparers that completed the RTRP test offered between November 28, 2011 and January 18, 2013, have an AFTR exemption. Preparers who passed part one of the SEE within the past three calendar years receive an AFTR exemption. IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) participants who have active PTINs and pass the VITA exam receive an AFTR exemption.

Return preparers who are credentialed by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) as an accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) or Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA) also receive an AFTR exemption.

Finally, five recognized credentialed preparers can participate in Annual Filing Season Program and are exempt from AFTR if they hold their credential. CPAs, attorneys, EAs, ERPAs and enrolled actuaries are all considered credentialed preparers.

Preparers with at least one verified professional credential will receive an AFTR course exemption and reduced Annual Filing Season Program CE requirements.

The CE group, C&S department and Vendor Processes & Business Requirements Management (VPBRM) department with the RPO are responsible for processing Annual Filing Season Program exemption records.

The RPO CE group is responsible for obtaining electronic records of exempt individuals from the qualifying states and organizations. C&S is responsible for the electronic records of exempt individuals who took the RTRP test and obtaining electronic records from the contractor who administers the SEE. C&S transfers the files to VPBRM, who is responsible for uploading the exemption data to the Tax Professional PTIN System (TPPS). TPPS is the secure online platform accessed through ServiceNow which contains PTIN information and other information related to the tax preparer, including CE records and exemption records.

Each year before the PTIN open season for enrollment and renewal (mid-October - December), VPBRM deletes last year’s exemption data from TPPS, except for the RTRP test data, as the exemption criteria are only valid for the current year. The CE group and C&S provide the current-year exemption records to VPBRM for upload to TPPS.

C&S SMEs review and update the AFTR Course Outline and Test Parameters each year. These documents are published and provide the basis for CE providers to develop course material and an AFTR test that non-exempt return preparers must complete to meet Annual Filing Season Program requirements.

For the AFTR Course Outline annual update, the SMEs must have a general knowledge of any tax law changes that may impact the course content for the upcoming year. Several SMEs review each document before final approval. Each line item in the AFTR Course Outline and the Test Parameters document are examined to determine if the item must be eliminated, revised, moved to another section, or changed based on new tax law and changes within the program.

Below are the general steps taken by RPO C&S to ensure the AFTR Course Outline is appropriately updated:

Non-exempt Annual Filing Season participants must take the AFTR course and all required CE from an IRS-approved CE provider.

All IRS-approved CE providers must have a program number for each program and delivery method.

Only IRS CE providers who have obtained an AFTR program number and have approval from the IRS can offer an AFTR course. IRS-approved CE providers can receive a program number by accessing their online account in the CE provider system used to register, approve, and review IRS-approved CE providers.

A provider can only obtain program numbers for AFTR courses from April 1 through October 1 each year. Approved CE providers can offer the AFTR course between June 1 and December 31.

A non-credentialed preparer must complete the AFTR course, test and required CE by December 31 each year.

The CE group of RPO will monitor the issuance of AFTR program numbers by the CE provider system. The CE department contacts all providers who receive an AFTR program number to discuss the providers’ current year courses and processes.

The review analyst determines whether to conduct a limited-scope review based upon a discussion with the point of contact and a review of the Summary of Findings from the previous year, if available, and prior review documentation. If it is determined an AFTR provider will not be subject to a limited scope review, the review analyst will ensure the provider is aware of all current changes to the AFTR course and test and answer any questions the PPOC may have.

Depending on the facts, the tax analyst may decide to conduct a limited-scope review of the AFTR course material, test, and test site for compliance with the AFTR Course Outline domains and test parameters.

Some of the items that a limited-scope review will consider are:

The review analyst will communicate the results from the AFTR review to the provider by outlining recommendations and requirements for corrective actions in a Summary of Findings.

AFTR providers subject to a mandatory review are:

Overview - All EAs must apply for renewal between November 1 and January 31 before credential expiration in every subsequent third year per the last number of their Social Security Number. Section 10.6 of Circular 230 provides IRS with authority to review an EA’s CE records to ensure they have satisfied the requisite number of CE hours.

RPO CE aims to have a strong CE provider community and ensure return preparers receive high-quality continuing education. To accomplish these goals, the CE department maintains regular communication and collaboration with the CE provider community regarding program developments and related issues.

RPO CE offers multiple types of outreaches to help its CE providers fully understand their roles and responsibilities, to communicate the latest information to increase awareness of IRS standards and offer support.

All CE providers receive invitations to the semi-annual CE provider conference calls, where the CE team presents helpful and timely information and provides answers to questions submitted by providers. The CE department posts all semi-annual conference call notes to IRS.gov/taxpros/ce, and CE providers are encouraged to review them if they missed the call. In addition, the CE team offers presentations to national and state chapter preparer organizations and orientation to new CE provider principal points of contact.

The CE team publishes two semi-annual CE provider newsletters to share news about the CE team, upcoming CE system enhancements, recent provider review trends and general recommendations and tips. In addition, information blasts and reminders are shared directly with CE providers through the CE system alerts and their secure mailbox accounts.

CE providers can ask questions through their CE system mailbox or email at rpo.ce@irs.govanytime.

The IRS provides CE to tax professionals, often without charge.

RPO has an electronic account for all internal IRS stakeholders wishing to offer CE for IRS credit.

The CE department is responsible for the following:

In carrying out the delivery of IRS CE and the administration of the IRS CE account, the CE department collaborates with points of contact from several other departments outside of RPO, including: