Tax Training Schedule
Become an IRS Tax Preparer In just 10 week Of Tax Training
THE ONLINE TAX TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE 2025 | Up to 37 CPE tAX Credits.
Your CPE credits are reported to the IRS in less than 24 hours
Federal Tax Law Update
Friday | Saturday
Oct 10 I Nov 22
Become a IRS Tax Pro
Saturday | Saturday
Oct 11 | Nov 1
Income & sale
Tuesday | Wednesday
Oct 21 | Nov 19
ADJUSTMENTS, DEDUCTIONS, TAX AND CREDITS
Saturday | Friday
OCT 18 | Nov 14
IRS WEB E-F
Tuesday | Monday
Oct 22 | Nov 17
DUE DILIGENCE
Saturday | Monday
Oct 25 | Nov 10
ETHIcs, RESPONSIBILITY & PENALTIES
Saturday | Monday
Oct 4 | Nov 24
Safeguarding ERO & tax Data
Monday | Saturday
Nov 3 | Nov 29
2025 AFSP Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fast Forward Academy authorized by the IRS to offer Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) training?
Is Fast Forward Academy authorized by the IRS to offer Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) training?
Yes. Fast Forward Academy is an IRS authorized continuing education provider. The AFSP courses we offer are eligible for credit under the Annual Filing Season Program. Preparers who complete the AFSP will be listed in a public database which will be added to IRS.gov by January 2025.
The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications will only include attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPAs), enrolled actuaries, and individuals who have received an Annual Filing Season Program — Record of Completion.
Who is an eligible return preparer?
The AFSP is geared towards unenrolled tax return preparers. The AFSP is not intended for credentialed preparers such as enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled actuaries.
The courses must consist of:
- 6 credit hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher course (AFTR) covering tax law updates and a review of common tax return issues
- 10 hours of federal tax law topics
- 2 hours of ethics
How do I earn an Annual Filing Season Program — Record of Completion?
Yes. Successful completion of the 6-hour AFTR course includes passing a 100 question multiple-choice exam. The passing score is 70%.
Is there a fee to obtain an Annual Filing Season Program — Record of Completion?
The IRS does not charge a fee to obtain the AFSP – Record of Completion. However, the CE courses must be obtained from an IRS-approved CE provider.
Do I have to report my course completion to the IRS?
No. Your CE provider will report your hours to the IRS.
Will I have any other requirements to obtain the AFSP - Record of Completion?
Yes. You will be required to consent to adhere to the practice obligations in Subpart B and section 10.51 of the Treasury Dept. Circular No. 230.
How do I get my Record of Completion from the IRS?
The AFSP – Record of Completion will not be available immediately upon completion of the required coursework. Access to the certificate will be provided during the PTIN Registration/Renewal Process.
Tax return preparers with online PTIN accounts will receive an email from TaxPro_PTIN@irs.gov with instructions on how to complete the application process and receive their certificates in their online secure mailbox. This process may take up to four weeks after completion of all requirements.
Tax return preparers without an online PTIN account will receive a letter with instructions for completing the application process and obtaining their certificates.
Are Enrolled Agents, CPAs, attorneys and other credentialed preparers allowed to earn the AFSP - Record of Completion?
Yes. Although the program is not intended for credentialed preparers because they already possess a higher level of qualification, they may still opt to participate in the program and will be subject to the same requirements as exempt preparers.
Will I still be able to represent clients before the IRS if I don't participate in the Annual Filing Season Program?
As a PTIN holder you will continue to have limited representation rights before limited offices of the IRS with respect to clients whose return you prepared and signed for calendar year 2015. Beginning in 2016, however, only AFSP participants who obtain a Record of Completion will have those limited representation rights before the IRS for clients whose returns they prepared and signed. PTIN holders without an AFSP – Record of Completion or without other professional credentials will not be able to represent clients before the IRS in any matters.
Do return preparers have to participate in the Annual Filing Season Program?
Is the AFSP Record of Completion a one-time program?
No. This is an annual program. Each Record of Completion will indicate the filing season for which it is valid. Tax preparers will be expected to complete the program each year to obtain a valid Record of Completion for the next filing season.
If I participate, will I be subject to Circular 230?
Yes. To obtain your Record of Completion, unenrolled preparers must agree to adhere to the practice requirements for tax practitioners outlined in Subpart B and section 10.51 of Treasury Department Circular No. 230.
If I am an EA or CPA, will the 6 hour IRS Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course count towards my CE?
CPAs and Enrolled Agents should not take this course. Those with credentials who wish to earn the AFSP Record of Completion from the IRS may do so by taking a 3-hr Federal tax update in place of this course (6-hour AFTR). If you are an enrolled agent this course is not for you, it will not count towards IRS requirements. If you are an Enrolled Agent and wish to receive a record of completion you should take the 3-hour tax update course instead of the AFTR.
About the AFTR Course and Exam
Do I have to go to a testing center to take the test for the Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course?
No. The 6-hour AFTR course is considered complete when a tax preparer passes the 100 question exam offered as part of the course. The exam will be administered by IRS-approved CPE providers who offer the Annual Filing Season Program. All courses and exams must follow an outline and parameters set forth by the IRS.
What does the AFTR course cover?
The AFTR course is a 6-hour course that covers topics divided into three domains:
- New Tax Law/Recent Updates*
- General Review
- Practices, Procedures and Professional Responsibility
The course outlines will be updated annually by the IRS. Course providers must make sure to cover all topics listed in the outline in their courses each year.
What is the course/exam duration and format?
The AFTR course is a 6-hour course. The course must include a test which will consist of a minimum of 100 multiple-choice questions.
What if I take the course but do not pass the test?
A participant may attempt an identical test two times, as long as no feedback is provided between attempts. If the participant is unsuccessful on both attempts, they may try again but only with a test that is substantially different from the first version.
When must I have the AFTR course completed to earn the Record of Completion for the next filing season?
Preparers are able to take the AFTR course as early as June 1 each year. The course must be completed no later than December 31 each year in order to earn the Record of Completion for the next filing season. Records of Completion will be issued in accordance with the PTIN renewal process.
Do I need a PTIN before I take the course?
You must have a PTIN in order for your course results to be reported to the IRS.
May I just take the test or do I have to complete the course as well?
No. You are required to complete a 6-hour course and cannot forego the course content to skip straight to the test.
If I am a Licensed Tax Consultant or Tax Preparer in Oregon, does the AFSP course count towards my CE?
Fast Forward Academy is an IRS-approved provider of tax continuing education, as such our Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) courses also qualify as acceptable continuing tax education with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners. Get started
Oregon state based Licensed Tax Consultants & Tax Preparers are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education each year in order to maintain an active license. Of the 30 hours required, (2) must be on professional conduct / ethics.
