Guide for Returning Preparers

1. Register for your Tax Site and training

•  Register for a Tax site

•  Register for your classes

2. Attend Training 

• REQUIRED:
  Returning Preparer all in one
  OR Returning Preparer A

• Strongly Recommonded:
  - Returning Preparer B (if you don't attend all in one)
  - State Training for Returning Preparers

3. REQUIRED
IRS training 

1. Pub. 4961, VITA/TCE VSC – Ethics Training  (or In spanish)

2. Pub. 5101, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Training
   (Spanish link will be posted when updated). 

4. Get Exam Ready

• In Pub. 4491, review “Important Changes for 2025” (PDF page 11+)
  AND Chapters 1 and 2 (PDF pages 20-42)

• Use links in step 8, below to access the TaxSlayer Practice Lab and the IRS Link & Learn exam portal.

• 5. Optional review: 

• Fundamentals Tax Law Webinar Series (check back around Thanksgiving for updated link) 

• New Preparer Training sessions

01: Tax Fundamentals and Additional Topics

02: Applied Skills and TaxSlayer Return Prep

03: Scenario Review and Certification Preparation

Click for New Preparer Classes 

Getting to Advanced is highly recommended for volunteers who have not previously certified at Advanced and for volunteers wanting a refresher. Getting to Advanced covers topics on the IRS advanced test that are not covered on the Basic exam. For more in-depth training/review of specific topics see the Challenging Topics classes. 

7. Optional: Attend a Challenging Topics classes (virtual or recorded)

• • Challenging Topic: Self-employment

  • Challenging Topic: Pensions

  • Challenging Topic: Education Benefits

8. Complete your Exams and submit your volunteer agreement by January 25th.

Before submitting your exam, review the important warnings in the first link below.

• Click here for known errors in the Exams 

• Click here for instructions on taking the exam

• Click for instructions to access the IRS Certification Portal.

• Check out the TaxSlayer blog for known TaxSlayer issues