PROFESSIONAL TAX ACADEMY
Professional Tax Preparer
Earn the Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) Designation
Complete the Personal Income Tax and Profitable Business Returns programs, demonstrate mastery of the material, and earn a professional designation that recognizes your achievement.
Explore the PTP PathMore Than Course Completion
A certificate recognizes that a student completed a course. The Professional Tax Preparer designation recognizes a higher level of achievement.
The PTP designation is awarded to students who complete the required training and demonstrate mastery by earning 90% or higher on the comprehensive final examination.
The Path to the PTP Designation
Students build their knowledge in two major areas before completing the final designation exam.
STEP 1
Personal Income Tax
Learn to prepare individual income tax returns, including filing status, dependents, income, deductions, credits, tax calculations, and completing Form 1040.
STEP 2
Profitable Business Returns
Expand into Schedule C, partnerships, S corporations, C corporations, depreciation, business tax concepts, and business financial statements.
STEP 3
Comprehensive Final Exam
Demonstrate your knowledge by earning 90% or higher on the comprehensive final examination.
PTP Designation Requirements
To qualify for the Professional Tax Preparer designation, students must:
✔ Complete the Personal Income Tax training
✔ Complete the Profitable Business Returns training
✔ Earn 90% or higher on the comprehensive final exam
✔ Meet all required program completion standards
Two final exam attempts are included with the training.
Certificate vs. Designation
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion recognizes that the student successfully completed the required course training.
Certificates are available for the individual Personal Income Tax and Profitable Business Returns programs.
PTP Designation
The Professional Tax Preparer designation recognizes students who complete the full training path and demonstrate mastery of the material.
The designation is earned, not simply awarded for participation.
Why Earn the PTP Designation?
Demonstrate Mastery
Show that you have completed professional tax training and met a higher examination standard.
Build Confidence
Strengthen your confidence as you prepare individual and business tax returns.
Support a Professional Image
Present yourself as a tax professional committed to education, competency, and continued development.
Prepare for the Next Step
Continue your professional journey into EA Exam Preparation, tax business ownership, and advanced tax services.
Included in the Complete PTP Path
✔ Personal Income Tax training
✔ Profitable Business Returns training
✔ Self-paced online education
✔ Video instruction
✔ Practice tax returns
✔ Practice quizzes and exams
✔ Tax coaching and student support
✔ Two final exam attempts
✔ Annual tax law updates
✔ PTP designation opportunity
Continue Your Professional Journey
After earning the PTP designation, students can continue preparing for the IRS Enrolled Agent examination or learn how to build and grow a successful tax practice through Universal Practice Builder.
EA Exam Preparation
Prepare for all three parts of the IRS Special Enrollment Examination.
Universal Practice Builder
Learn how to market, price, build, and grow your own tax practice.
Take the Complete PTP Path
Learn personal tax preparation, expand into business returns, and work toward earning the Professional Tax Preparer designation.
Enroll in the PTP Program