Trump Accounts: The New Tax-Advantaged Savings Accounts for Children
The 2025 law created a new savings vehicle for children, complete with a federal seed contribution for newborns. Here is what advisors need to know.
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PTIN Renewal: What Every Paid Tax Preparer Needs Before Filing Season
Before another filing season begins, every paid tax return preparer has one non-negotiable task: renewing their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). It’s quick — but skipping it has real consequences. Who needs a PTIN Anyone who prepares or helps prepare a federal tax return for compensation must have a valid PTIN and include it on…
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CPA Ethics CPE Requirements by State (2026 Guide)
Nearly every state Board of Accountancy requires CPAs to complete ethics continuing professional education (CPE) as a condition of license renewal. What varies—often dramatically—is how much ethics CPE you need, how often you need it, and whether your state will accept a general professional ethics course or insists on a state-specific, board-approved program. This guide…
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What Expired in 2025: Clean-Energy and EV Tax Credits Sunset Early
While the 2025 law extended many benefits, it ended others. Several Inflation Reduction Act energy credits were terminated or accelerated to an early close. Here is the timeline.
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How to Become an Enrolled Agent (EA): The 2026 Path
The EA is the IRS’s highest credential and the fastest tax-focused designation to earn. Here is the step-by-step path and what to expect.
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CTEC Requirements 2026: 20-Hour CE for CA Tax Preparers
If you prepare California state or federal tax returns for a fee and you are not a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or attorney, California law requires you to register as a CTEC-registered tax preparer (CRTP). Staying registered means meeting the California Tax Education Council’s annual continuing education requirement. This guide walks through the 2026 CTEC requirements:…
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Ethics CPE Requirements: A Guide by Credential
Nearly every credential requires ethics CPE — but the amount, frequency, and content differ. Here is how ethics requirements compare.
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IRS Audit Red Flags: What Actually Draws Scrutiny
Audit rates are low, but certain items reliably raise the odds. Here is what tends to attract IRS attention — and how good documentation protects clients.
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The New Senior Deduction: A $6,000 Break for Taxpayers 65 and Older
Marketed as relief on Social Security taxation, the 2025 law’s senior deduction is actually a separate, temporary, income-limited deduction. Here is what it really does.
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AFTR Course Explained: 6-Hour Refresher & Exam Guide
If you prepare federal tax returns for compensation but are not a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or attorney, the Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course is likely on your radar. It is the centerpiece of the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) for non-exempt preparers, and completing it correctly determines whether you earn an AFSP Record…
