How to Become a Registered Tax Preparer in California

Tax time rolls around once a year and as soon as it does, everyone scrambles to get their tax documents together and find a registered tax preparer. In California, there are several steps one must take to become a registered tax preparer. If you are not an attorney or certified public accountant, it can be illegal to prepare taxes without being registered.

Instructions

1. Complete 60 hours of tax education training. Within this training you will go through 45 hours of federal tax training and 15 hours of training specific to the State of California. Particular programs are accredited through the California Tax Education Council. A list of these programs is available on the CTEC website (See References).

2. Obtain and maintain a $5,000 insurance bond. This bond can be obtained through your insurance agent. Should you decide to change any of the information in the bond you have 30 days to prepare an amendment to the bond. If at any time your bond is canceled you must immediately cease tax preparation activities until the bond is replaced.

3. Register to be a certified tax preparer per the California Tax Education Council. You may register through their website. The process includes filling out an extensive application. Once you are a registered tax preparer, you must maintain the $5,000 bond and attend 20 hours of continuing tax education classes every year.

References

• California Tax Education Council: home page