Course Listing
Our comprehensive, clear and concise step-by-step income tax course teaches you everything you need to know to start and operate your own successful tax preparation business. Each of our well-organized in-depth lessons are easy to understand, even by students who do not have an accounting background, because they’re written in concise non-technical language. They’ll guide you through the tax preparation course in a remarkably short time. After you complete the income tax course, you’ll have the skills necessary to prepare individual income tax returns, and earn extra money at tax time.
Our income tax course is your doorway into the lucrative tax preparation business. You'll get hundreds of new customers! And you’ll have one powerful solution at your fingertips! 
What our customers are saying… you can take their word for it!

The Federal Tax System
The Revolutionary War Period The Post-World War II Period
The Post-Revolutionary War Period The 1960’s
The Civil War Period The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981
The Post-Civil War Period The Tax Reform Act of 1986
The 16th Amendment The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
The 1920’s The EGTRRA of 2001
The 1930’s The JGTRRA of 2003
The Social Security Act The Modern Income Tax
The World War II Period
The Tax Return Preparation Process
The Client Organizer Frequently Asked Questions
Tax Snapshot e-filing - What Is It?
The Three Tax Preparation Stages Taxpayers or Dependents without Social Security Numbers...
Welcoming the Taxpayer What if a Taxpayer Moves?
Building Rapport with the Taxpayer Which Address to Use: The Street Address or P.O. Box?
Using Active Listening Obtaining a Copy of a Prior Year's Return?
Asking Questions Effectively How Long Should Taxpayers Keep Their Records?
Overcoming Communication Barriers Voluntary Contributions to Reduce the Public Debt?
Completing the Tax Return Which Tax Form Should I Use?
Complex Tax Returns
Taxpayer Identification Numbers
Social Security Numbers Community Property States
Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) Community or Separate Property and Income
Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers Community Property
Who Needs an ITIN? Community Income
The Procedure for Acquiring an ITIN Separate Property
Form W9 and Backup Withholding Separate Income
Aliens
Determining Alien Status Dual-Status Aliens
Resident Alien Status Undocumented Aliens
Making a First-Year Choice Children Born Abroad
Non-resident Alien Status Obtaining and SSN for a Child Born Abroad
Choice to Treat Non-resident Spouse as a Resident
Filing Statuses and Who Should File a Tax Return
What Are the Filing Statuses? After a Spouse's Death
Single Taxpayers Who Must File vs. Who Should File
Married Filing Jointly Dependents Who Must or Should File a Tax Return
Innocent and Injured Spouses People Age 65 or Older or Blind
Married Filing Separately Other Situations When the Taxpayer Must File
Head of Household Who Should File a Tax Return
Keeping Up a Home Who Should Not File a Tax Return
Married and Living Apart with Dependent Child Which Tax Form to Use
Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child
Personal and Dependency Exemptions
The Taxpayer Citizen or Resident Test
The Spouse Joint Return Test
Dependency Exemptions The Member of Household or Relationship Test
Tests for all Dependents The Qualifying Child of another Taxpayer Test
Relationship Test The Gross Income Test
Support Test The Support Test
Residency Test Multiple Support
Age Test Who Should Claim the Exemption?
Tie Breaker Rules Special Rules for Divorced or Separated Parents
Qualifying Relative Tests Determining the Number of Exemptions to Claim
Dependency Tests Completing the Exemptions Section of the Tax Return
Income - Part I
Taxable Income Form 1099-MISC
Non-taxable Income Tip Income
Medical Reimbursements Allocated Tips
Where to Report Income Tip Income Requiring Form 1040
Earned Income - Wages, Salaries, and Tips Scholarships and Fellowships
Form W-2 Interest Income
Household Employees U.S. Savings Bonds
Incorrect Forms W-2 Series EE and Series I
Missing Forms W-2 Series HH Bonds and Other U.S. Obligations
Using Form 4852 Co-owners
Fraudulent Forms W-2 Deferred Interest Accounts
Earned Income Original Issue Discount (OID)
Income - Part II
Life Insurance Proceeds and Interest Sick Pay
Coverdell ESA’s Qualified Long-term Care Insurance
Tax-Exempt Interest State and Local Tax Refunds
Form 1099-INT Alimony
Form 1099-OID Unemployment Compensation
Reporting Interest Supplemental Unemployment Benefits
Dividends and Corporate Distributions Union Benefits
How to Report Ordinary Dividends Veterans Benefits
How to Report Capital Gain Distributions Other Income
Self Employment Income
Reporting Income from a Business Home Office Deductions
Who May Use Schedule C-EZ Principal Place of Business
Schedule C-EZ What can be deducted?
Eligibility Flowchart Deduction Limits
Gross Receipts Sideline Businesses
Total Expenses Depreciation
Car Expenses Basis
Standard Mileage Rate Method Adjusted Basis
Actual Car Expense Method MACRS Method of Depreciation
Net Profit Placed in Service Date
Information on Your Vehicle Property Classes and Recovery Periods
Schedule SE Applying Recovery Periods
Who Must File Schedule SE First Year Expensing (Section 179)
Reporting the Self-Employment Tax Hobby Income and Losses
Deduction of Self-Employment Tax
Sale of Investment Property
Required Data for Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses Wash Sales
Stock Fundamentals Form 1099-B
Capital Assets Determining the Basis of Stock
Capital Gain Distributions Reporting Form 1099-B Information
When You Do Need To File Schedule D 1099 Consolidated Statements
Basis of Stock Schedule D
Adjusted Basis Reporting Stock Gains or Losses
Long-Term or Short-Term Gain Reporting Other Gains
Blocks of Stock Capital Loss Carryovers
Tax-Free Stock Dividends and Stock Splits Deducting Worthless Securities
Taxable Dividends Like-Kind Exchanges
Demutualization Like-Kind Property
Sale of Home
Eligibility Requirements for the Exclusion Amount Realized
Reporting the Exclusion Basis
Definition of Main Home Adjusted Basis
More than One Home Form 1099-S
Period of Ownership and Use Home Foreclosures
Married Homeowners Installment Sales
Reduced Exclusion Installment Sale Interest
Unforeseen Circumstances Repairs vs. Improvements
Gain on Sale of Main Home Historic Preservation Grants
Selling Price
Pension Income
Disability Pension Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLE)
Annuity Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Roth IRA
Social Security Benefits Social Security Benefits
Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRBs) Disability Pension Income
Other Types of Pension Plans Reporting Pension Income
Form 1099-R Disability Income Reporting
Form SSA-1099 Reporting Social Security Benefits
Form RRB-1099 and Form RRB-1099R Reporting IRA Distributions
Tier 1 Railroad Retirement Benefits Traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or SEP IRA
Pensions with Taxable Amount Determined Premature Distributions
"Before-Tax" vs. "After-Tax" Contributions Lump-Sum Distributions
Partially Taxable Pensions and Annuities Other than IRAs Taxpayers born before January 2, 1936
General Rule Minimum Distributions
Simplified Method Lump-Sum Benefit Payments
Individual Retirement Account Types Withdrawal of Excess IRA Contributions
Traditional IRA Pension Withholding and Estimated Tax Payments
Rental Income and Expenses
Rental Income Rental vs. Personal Use
Rental Expenses Days Used for Repairs and Maintenance
Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Deductibility Limitations
Deduction of Property Taxes Rental Losses
Other Deductible Rental Expenses Passive Activity vs. Active Participation
Auto and Travel Expenses Passive Activity Losses
Repairs vs. Improvements Active Participation
Advance Insurance Premiums Phase-Out of Offset
Special Allocations Reporting Rental Losses
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
What Is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion? Physical Presence Test
Eligibility Requirements Figuring the 12-month Period
Married Couples Waiver of Time Requirements
Qualifying Tax Home Qualifying Income
Military Personnel Form 2555
Choosing the Exclusion Deductions Allocable to Excluded Income
Revoking the Exclusion Self-Employment Tax
Determining the Tax Home Itemized Deductions
Period of Stay Moving Expenses
Bona Fide Residence Test Net Exclusion
Adjustments to Income - Part I
Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE)
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Keogh Plans
Moving Expenses Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction
One Half of Self-Employment Tax Penalty on Early Withdrawal of Savings
Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP) Alimony Paid
Adjustments to Income - Part II
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Jury Duty Pay Given to Employer
Reporting Student Loan Interest Domestic Production Activities Deduction
Individual Retirement Accounts
What is an IRA? Taxpayers Not Covered by an Employer Retirement Plan
Contributions Filing Status
General Contribution Limits Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)
Deemed IRAs Employer Retirement Plans
Spousal Contribution Limits When to Deduct Traditional IRA Contributions
Excess Contributions Non-deductible IRA Contributions
Additional Taxes and Penalties Additional Taxes and Penalties
Deductible IRA Contributions
Standard and Itemized Deductions - Part I
What Are Deductions? Married Filing Separately - Itemized Deductions
Standard and Itemized Deductions Medical and Dental Expenses
Standard Deduction Taxes
Criteria for Blindness Interest Deduction Requirements
Personal Exemption on Form 1040EZ Home Mortgage Interest
Taxable Income on Form 1040EZ Itemized Deduction Reduction
Standard and Itemized Deductions - Part II
Home Mortgage Points Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Gifts to Charity Miscellaneous Deductions
Reporting Contributions Deductions Subject to the 2% Limit
Restrictions on Contributions after August 17, 2006 Legal Fees
Cash contributions Legal Fees to Collect Alimony
Clothing and Household Items Legal Fees for Divorce
Casualty and Theft Losses Employee Business Expenses
Involuntary Conversions Accountable Plans
Declared Disaster Areas Deductions Not Subject to the 2% Limit
Grants under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 Gambling Losses
Alternative Minimum Tax
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Tax Shelters
Investment Expenses Incentive Stock Options
Credit for Child and Dependent Care
Qualifying Person Test Provider Identification Test
Children of Divorced or Separated Parents Due Diligence
Earned Income Test Provider Refusal
Work-Related Expense Test Limit on Expenses
Payments to Relatives General Limit
Joint Return Test Dependent Care Benefit Limit
Legally Separated and Divorced Non-working Spouse
Married and Living Apart
Child Tax Issues
Child Tax Credit Additional Child Tax Credit
Qualifying Child Child Tax Returns – Kiddie Tax
Eligible Descendant Tax Returns for Students
Adopted Child Penalties
Eligible Foster Child Adopting a Child
Exceptions for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents Children without SSNs
Form 8901 Adoption Credit
Amount of Credit Employer Adoption Assistance Exclusion
Figuring the Credit
Credit for the Elderly or Disabled
Who Qualifies for the Credit? Taking the Credit
Physician Statements Legal Settlements and Court Awards
Sheltered Employment Lump-sum Payment for Cancellation of Employment
Income Limits for the Credit
Education Credits and Programs
Eligible Student Figuring the Credit
Eligible Educational Institution Non-GOZ Students
Income Requirements GOZ Students
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Lifetime Learning Credit
Qualifying Expenses Differences between the Two Education Credits
Tuition and Fees What is a Double Benefit?
Related Expenses No Double Benefits Allowed
GOZ Effect on Related Expenses Adjustments to Qualified Expenses
Non-qualifying Expenses Refunds
Non-credit Courses Qualified Tuition Programs (QTPs) (Section 529 Plans)
Prepaid Expenses Coverdell ESA’s
Payments with Borrowed Funds Excludable U.S. Savings Bond Interest
Expenses Paid by Others Educational Assistance Plans
Hope Credit
Earned Income Tax Credit
What Is the EIC? Residency Test
Filing Requirements Age Test
Income Requirements Qualifying Child of More Than One Taxpayer
Taxpayer Identification Numbers EIC Qualification Checklist
Taxpayers with Qualifying Children Schedule EIC
Taxpayers without Qualifying Children Advance EIC Payments
Earned Income Disallowed EIC
Types of Income Not Considered Earned Income Deficiency Procedures
Household Employee Income Reasons for Disallowed EIC
Qualifying Child EIC Certification
Relationship Test
Foreign Tax Credit
What Is the Foreign Tax Credit? High Withholding Tax Interest
Qualifying Taxes General Limitation Income
No Economic Benefit High Taxed Income
Country Restrictions Completing Form 1116
Types of Income Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
Passive Income Cash Basis vs. Accrual Basis Taxpayers
Miscellaneous Tax Credits
What is a Credit? Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit
Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions Electric Vehicle Credit
Eligible Contributions Qualified Electric Vehicle
Married Filing Jointly Exceptions
Residential Energy Credits Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
Non-Business Energy Property Credit Mortgage Interest Credit
Qualified Improvements Health Coverage Tax Credit
Electronic Filing and Bank Products
Introduction to Electronic Filing  Mail in Return (Paper Check)
IRS e-file How to Get Started with e-file
The History of e-file Bank Products
Security of IRS e-file The Key Benefits of Bank Products
Why Offer IRS e-file to Your Clients? Federal Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)
What's in it for Your Clients? RAL Product Features & Benefits
What is the Self-Select PIN? Federal Refund Transfer (RT)
State E-file Mandates RT Product Features & Benefits
IRS Refund Options Federal Refund Transfer Direct Deposit (RTDD)
Straight Electronic Filing (Direct Deposit) State Refund Transfer (SRT)
Straight Electronic Fling (Paper Check) SRT Product Features & Benefits
Mail in Return (Direct Deposit)
Finishing The Tax Return
Tax Payments and Credits How to Make Payments
Income Tax Withholding Forms W-4, W-4P, W-4V, and W-4S
Estimated Tax Payments How Much to Withhold
Refundable Credits Multiple Incomes
Overpayment or Tax Due Form W-5 and AEIC
Refunds Attaching Forms and Schedules
Direct Deposit Signatures
Payment by Check or Money Order Deceased Taxpayers
Electronic Payment Options Deceased Spouses
Monthly Installment Options Third Party Designee
Estimated Tax Penalty Ending the Interview
Estimated Tax Checking on Refunds
Withheld Taxes Financial Management Service
Who Must Pay Estimated Tax Debt Indicator
When to Pay Estimated Tax Form 1040X
Option to Apply an Overpayment
IRS Audits
How Long to Keep Certain Tax Records? How to Avoid an IRS Audit.
The taxpayer received a notice from the IRS... The High-Risk Tax Audit Areas
The notice from the IRS is wrong... How to Prepare for an IRS Audit.
What if there's W-2 or 1099 Discrepancies? What is an Offer in Compromise?
What if the Taxpayer Hasn't Filed for Several Years? What are a Taxpayer’s Appeal Rights?
How to Avoid Penalties and Interest? How does the Statute of Limitations Affect Tax Collections?
Acting on Bad Advice from the IRS... Statute of Limitations on Taxpayer’s to Claim a Tax Refund
Honest Mistakes What is the Taxpayer Bill of Rights?
Disputing Assessed Tax Penalties How does the Bankruptcy Code Affect Tax Obligations?
Taxpayer Advocate Helpline