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  • Ethics CPE Requirements: A Guide by Credential

    Almost every credential that requires continuing education also requires ethics. The rules differ by credential and, for CPAs, by state. Here is a quick guide.

    CPAs

    Each state board sets its own rules. Many states require an ethics course in each reporting cycle, and some require a state-specific ethics course approved by the board. For example, Ohio requires 120 hours every three years, including a board-approved Ohio professional standards and responsibilities course. Always check your board’s current rules for your reporting period.

    Enrolled agents

    EAs need at least 72 hours every three-year cycle and at least 16 hours each year, including 2 hours of ethics every year, from an IRS-approved continuing education provider.

    Annual Filing Season Program

    AFSP participants generally complete 18 hours each year: 10 hours of federal tax law, 2 hours of ethics, and the 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher course with a comprehension test.

    CFP® professionals

    CFP Board requires 30 hours every two years, including 2 hours of CFP Board-approved ethics.

    Tips

    • Ethics hours often have to come from specific approved courses, so check approval before you buy.
    • Add your license to the compliance dashboard to see what is still due.

    Sources: IRS enrolled agent continuing education FAQs. CPA and CFP requirements change; confirm with your board.

  • Trump Accounts: What Tax Professionals Need to Know for 2026

    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (which the IRS calls the Working Families Tax Cuts) created a new tax-advantaged savings account for children: the Trump account. Contributions can begin on July 4, 2026, so 2026 is the first year clients will ask about them.

    The basics

    • Who: an account for a child under age 18 with a valid Social Security number.
    • How to open: a parent or guardian elects to open the account on Form 4547, either with their tax return or separately.
    • Annual limit: up to $5,000 a year from family and other contributors during the growth period (indexed for inflation after 2027).
    • Employers: an employer can contribute up to $2,500 per employee a year tax-free; this counts toward the $5,000 limit and applies across all of that employee’s children.
    • $1,000 pilot contribution: the federal government deposits $1,000 for eligible U.S.-citizen children born in 2025 through 2028 when the pilot program is elected on Form 4547. It does not count toward the $5,000 limit.
    • Distributions: generally not allowed before the year the child turns 18; after that the account follows rules similar to a traditional IRA.

    What to do now

    • Identify clients with children born in 2025 or later and make sure the pilot election is made.
    • Ask employer clients whether they want to offer a Trump account contribution program.
    • Track contributions against the $5,000 limit when more than one person contributes.

    Sources: IRS, Instructions for Form 4547; IRS, Treasury, IRS issue guidance on Trump Accounts. Rules may change as regulations are finalized.