10 Federal Tax Law · 2 Behavioral Ethics · 12 Hours total
Need to get up to speed on Form 1040 without committing to a full-length course? The Express Tax Course covers the essentials in a fraction of the time, perfect as a fast refresher for working preparers or a quick-start for front desk and support staff who need to answer basic client questions with confidence.
In just 12 hours, you’ll cover filing status, standard and itemized deductions, income, credits, qualifying dependents, capital gains and losses, adjustments to income, and more, everything you need to understand how a return comes together, without the deep dive. No classroom and no long wait. Enroll today and start building your tax knowledge right away.
What you’ll be able to do
- Safeguard the taxpayer’s documents
- Know when to use Form 4868
- Understand the different e-filing options
- Complete Schedule 2 of Form 1040
- Explain how a nonrefundable credit affects tax liability
- Know which deductions are limited to the 7.5% floor
How this course works
All materials are included. You study independently through readings and lessons, then sit for a final exam at your own pace.
Course chapters
- Filing status, dependents, and deductions. Learn how to determine the right filing status, who qualifies as a dependent, and how to choose between the standard and itemized deductions.
- Income. Understand the types of taxable income, from wages and tips to interest and dividends, and where each belongs on the return.
- Adjustments to income. Discover above-the-line deductions like student loan interest and IRA contributions that reduce taxable income.
- Payments and tax credits. See how withholding, estimated payments, and credits like the Child Tax Credit and EIC reduce what a taxpayer owes.
- Ethics. Review the professional standards and responsibilities tax preparers must follow, including Circular 230 guidelines.
Final exam. The final exam tests your knowledge across all chapters to earn your CE credits.
Course details
| Field of study | Federal Tax Law (10 hrs), Behavioral Ethics (2 hrs) |
| Course level | Basic |
| Prerequisite | None |
| Delivery method | Self-study |
| CE credit deadline | July 31, 2027 |
| Upon completion | Certificate of Completion |
| IRS credit reporting | CE credits reported directly to the IRS for tax preparers with a valid PTIN |
This course does not qualify for California Continuing Education hours.
