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10 Best Tax Preparer Courses of 2026
This list is for people training to prepare tax returns for clients, from complete beginners to seasonal preparers who want a credential. We compared documented features and published prices for ten providers in three groups: beginner courses (Surgent Income Tax School, National Tax Training School, Latino Tax Pro and the H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax schools), the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (Fast Forward Academy) and enrolled agent exam review (Gleim, Becker and Lambers). Anyone with a PTIN can prepare federal returns for pay, so these courses build skills and credentials rather than grant a license. Scores weigh features at 40 percent and ease of use and value at 30 percent each. Exam and PTIN fees are separate.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
Surgent Income Tax School is our top pick because it covers the whole path: a $497 beginner course, small business and advanced certificates, and enrolled agent review, all self-paced and reported to the IRS and CTEC. Gleim EA Review is the best next step for preparers who want the enrolled agent credential, the highest the IRS awards, and Becker is the alternative if you want video teaching, live online classes and a pass guarantee. If you want classroom training and a first seasonal job, the H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax schools cost little or nothing. Fast Forward Academy is the cheapest way to earn the AFSP Record of Completion each year, and Latino Tax Pro is the pick for bilingual preparers and California beginners.
Top picks
Best overall
Surgent Income Tax School
8.9 / 10
Beginners who want a structured online course that leads from first returns to advanced certificates.
Read the review →Runner-up
Gleim EA Review
8.7 / 10
Working preparers who want the enrolled agent credential and study best on their own.
Read the review →Also great
Becker EA Review
8.6 / 10
EA candidates who want video instruction, a pass guarantee and, on the top tier, live online classes.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgent Income Tax School | Beginners who want a structured online course that leads from first returns to advanced certificates. | Comprehensive Tax Course $497; CTC program $937; CTP program $1,497 | 8.9 |
| 2 | Gleim EA Review | Working preparers who want the enrolled agent credential and study best on their own. | EA Test Bank $499; Traditional EA Review $699; Premium EA Review $799 | 8.7 |
| 3 | Becker EA Review | EA candidates who want video instruction, a pass guarantee and, on the top tier, live online classes. | Essentials $499; Premium $599 (list $799); Pro $712 (list $949) during a 25% sale | 8.6 |
| 4 |  Fast Forward Academy | Unenrolled preparers who want the IRS AFSP Record of Completion at a low price, then EA prep later. | AFTR course $64; AFSP bundle $99; EA prep from $549 | 8.6 |
| 5 |  H&R Block Income Tax Course | Beginners who want low-cost classroom training and a possible seasonal job at H&R Block. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.6 |
| 6 |  Jackson Hewitt Tax Preparation Classes | Beginners who want a short, low-cost course and a chance at a local Jackson Hewitt tax pro job. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.3 |
| 7 |  National Tax Training School | Self-starters who want one-on-one instructor guidance and help setting up their own tax practice. | Full tuition $895, or three payments of $308 | 8.1 |
| 8 |  Latino Tax Pro | Spanish-speaking and bilingual preparers, and California preparers who need the 60-hour CTEC course. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.0 |
| 9 |  Liberty Tax Tax School | Beginners who want free basic training and may work a season at a Liberty Tax office. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.0 |
| 10 |  Lambers EA Review | EA candidates who want to buy only the parts and study formats they need. | Flashcards $99 per part; test prep software $149 per part; video courseware from $199 per part | 7.7 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Surgent Income Tax School
Online, self-paced tax preparer courses from beginner level to Chartered Tax Professional, with enrolled agent prep from the same company.
surgent.com8.9
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want a structured online course that leads from first returns to advanced certificates.
Surgent Income Tax School is the former Income Tax School, now run by Surgent, and it is the most complete online path for someone starting from zero. The $497 Comprehensive Tax Course covers individual returns in 16 lessons and gives you up to six months to finish. If you want to prepare small business returns, the Chartered Tax Consultant program adds small business courses for $937, and the Chartered Tax Professional program adds advanced individual topics for $1,497. Surgent reports certificates of completion to the IRS and to the California Tax Education Council, and says it is approved by the IRS, RPO, NASBA and CTEC. Assignments and exams are graded automatically, and you need 70% overall to complete each module. Questions go to instructors by email, with replies within two business days, which is slower than live help. When you are ready for more, Surgent also sells enrolled agent review with a money-back pass guarantee.
Standout feature
One school takes you from a $497 beginner course to Chartered Tax Professional and enrolled agent prep.
Use cases
Career changers with no tax background
Take the Comprehensive Tax Course, then get a PTIN
Outcome: Ready to prepare individual returns in about 10 weeks
Preparers adding business clients
Upgrade to the Chartered Tax Consultant program
Outcome: Small business tax training plus a Chartered Tax certificate
Key features
- Comprehensive Tax Course with 16 lessons for individual returns
- Chartered Tax Consultant (33 lessons) and Chartered Tax Professional (49+ lessons) certificate programs
- Certificates of completion reported to the IRS and CTEC
- Automatic grading with instructor support by email
- Free trial of the Comprehensive Tax Course
Pros
- Clear path from beginner course to advanced certificates and EA review
- Approved by the IRS, RPO, NASBA and CTEC
- Up to six months to finish the Comprehensive course
Cons
- Instructor email replies can take up to two business days
- The full CTP program costs $1,497
- No live classroom option for the preparer courses
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Gleim EA Review
Self-study review course for the three-part IRS enrolled agent exam, built around the SmartAdapt adaptive platform.
gleim.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: Working preparers who want the enrolled agent credential and study best on their own.
Gleim EA Review is a strong choice for preparers who already handle returns and now want the enrolled agent credential, which gives unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Gleim sells three packages: an EA Test Bank for $499, Traditional EA Review for $699 and Premium EA Review for $799. The core of every package is SmartAdapt, an adaptive platform that tracks your quiz scores, points you to weak areas and tells you when it thinks you are ready to sit the exam. Full-length Mock Exams copy the real test's length and topic weighting, and a Final Review lists topics to brush up on afterwards. Every question explains both right and wrong answers. Premium adds more than 30 hours of Gleim Instruct video lectures, and Personal Counselors help with study plans. The limits are format and focus: it is self-study only, and it teaches exam content rather than how to run a tax season, so beginners should start with a preparer course first.
Standout feature
SmartAdapt tells you when you are ready to take each part of the EA exam.
Use cases
Seasonal preparers with a few years of experience
Study for all three EA exam parts with SmartAdapt
Outcome: A readiness signal before paying the exam fee for each part
Budget-minded EA candidates
Drill questions with the $499 EA Test Bank
Outcome: Practice with full answer explanations at Gleim's lowest price
Key features
- SmartAdapt adaptive platform that tells you when you are ready to test
- Full-length Mock Exams that mirror the real exam's length and topic weighting
- Explanations for right and wrong answers on every question
- 30+ hours of Gleim Instruct video lectures in the Premium course
- Personal Counselors who help set up a study plan
Pros
- Three tiers, from a $499 test bank to a $799 video course
- Mock exams followed by a personalized Final Review
- Free demo of the Premium EA Review
Cons
- Video lectures only come with the $799 Premium course
- Self-study only, with no live classes
- Prepares you for the EA exam, not for your first returns
Rank 3 · Also great
Becker EA Review
Enrolled agent exam review taught by enrolled agents, with adaptive practice, simulated exams and an AI study assistant.
becker.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: EA candidates who want video instruction, a pass guarantee and, on the top tier, live online classes.
Becker EA Review suits candidates who want more teaching than a question bank. The course is built by EA curriculum experts and taught by enrolled agents, with concept videos, tax form videos and, on higher tiers, SkillBuilder videos. Every package includes more than 3,000 multiple choice questions, three simulated exams, one per exam part, Adapt2U practice tests and the Newt AI assistant. Essentials costs $499 with 12 months of access. Premium, shown at $599 against a $799 list price during an early Black Friday sale, adds unlimited access, printed textbooks and the Pass Guarantee. Pro, at $712 against $949, adds LiveOnline virtual classes for packages bought on or after June 1, 2026. A 14-day free trial lets you test the materials first. The catch is cost once the sale ends, and Essentials buyers do not get the guarantee. Like Gleim, it prepares you for the EA exam rather than for your first season.
Standout feature
The Pro package adds LiveOnline virtual classes taught by enrolled agents.
Use cases
EA candidates who learn by watching
Use concept and tax form videos with Newt AI
Outcome: Taught explanations of each exam part
Candidates who want accountability
Join LiveOnline classes in the Pro package
Outcome: Scheduled instruction plus a Pass Guarantee
Key features
- 3,000+ multiple choice questions and 3 simulated exams
- Adapt2U technology for unlimited practice tests
- Newt AI assistant for instant answers
- Concept, tax form and SkillBuilder videos
- LiveOnline virtual classes in the Pro package
Pros
- 14-day free trial
- Pass Guarantee and unlimited access on Premium and Pro
- Instruction by enrolled agents
Cons
- Essentials gives 12 months of access and no Pass Guarantee
- Premium and Pro prices shown are sale prices
- Printed textbooks only come with Premium and Pro
Rank 4
Fast Forward Academy
Online AFSP bundles, IRS continuing education and enrolled agent exam prep for unenrolled and credentialed preparers.
fastforwardacademy.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: Unenrolled preparers who want the IRS AFSP Record of Completion at a low price, then EA prep later.
Fast Forward Academy is the cheapest way to earn the IRS Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion, the voluntary IRS credential for preparers who are not EAs, CPAs or attorneys. The $99 2026 bundle for non-exempt preparers contains the 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher, 2 hours of ethics and 10 hours of federal tax law chosen from more than 35 courses. Exempt preparers pay $84, a California bundle that also reports to CTEC costs $139, and the AFTR course alone is $64. Exams are open book with multiple attempts, and completions are reported to the IRS automatically. For the next step, its EA prep runs from $549 for the online course to $699 with bootcamp webinars, and every package includes 155+ audio lectures, 3,000+ questions, unlimited practice exams and access until you pass. It does not teach complete beginners how to prepare a return, so pair it with a preparer course in your first year.
Standout feature
The full 18-hour AFSP bundle costs $99 with automatic IRS reporting.
Use cases
Unenrolled seasonal preparers
Buy the $99 AFSP bundle before December 31
Outcome: An AFSP Record of Completion and a listing in the IRS directory
California preparers
Take the $139 California bundle
Outcome: CTEC renewal and AFSP credit in one purchase
Key features
- 2026 AFSP bundle with 6-hour AFTR, 2 hours of ethics and 10 hours of federal tax law
- Bundles for AFTR-exempt preparers and California CTEC renewals
- Open-book exams with multiple attempts
- Automatic reporting to the IRS
- EA prep with 155+ audio lectures, 3,000+ questions and access until you pass
Pros
- AFSP bundle costs $99, the AFTR course alone $64
- 35+ IRS-approved courses to choose from
- EA packages include access and updates until you pass
Cons
- No beginner course for first-time preparers
- EA prep relies on audio lectures, with bootcamp webinars only in the top bundle
- AFSP brings limited representation rights only
Rank 5
H&R Block Income Tax Course
H&R Block's beginner income tax course, offered in person, virtually or on demand, and a common route into seasonal tax pro jobs.
hrblock.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want low-cost classroom training and a possible seasonal job at H&R Block.
The H&R Block Income Tax Course is the classic way into seasonal tax work. H&R Block lists no charge for tuition or course fees, though students buy course materials in most states, and the course runs in person, live online or on demand, which makes it easier to fit around a job. It covers the federal basics a new preparer needs, hours vary by state, and you get a certificate of completion. Many people take it to get a seasonal job at an H&R Block office, but finishing the course is not a job offer. H&R Block also says the course is not open to people who work for, or want to work for, a competing preparer. We could not load H&R Block's course page from our location to confirm current material prices, so check the page for your state. The course teaches basics and does not lead to a credential such as the EA.
Standout feature
Tuition-free classes in three formats from the largest assisted tax brand.
Use cases
People looking for seasonal work
Take the course before tax season
Outcome: Training plus a route to H&R Block tax pro roles
Learners who prefer a classroom
Join an in-person or virtual class
Outcome: Instructor-led basics at little cost
Key features
- In-person, virtual and on-demand formats
- Federal tax return basics for new preparers
- Certificate of completion
- Course hours vary by state
- Route to tax pro roles at H&R Block offices
Pros
- H&R Block lists no tuition or course fees
- Three formats to fit different schedules
- Recognized brand for a first seasonal job
Cons
- Materials are a separate charge in most states
- Not open to people working for a competing preparer
- Content stops at the basics
Rank 6
Jackson Hewitt Tax Preparation Classes
Jackson Hewitt's Fundamentals of Tax Preparation course, run by local offices online, virtually or in person.
jacksonhewitt.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want a short, low-cost course and a chance at a local Jackson Hewitt tax pro job.
Jackson Hewitt's Fundamentals of Tax Preparation course is the shortest beginner option here at about 30 hours, split into 12 modules and a final exam. Topics include filing requirements, dependents, filing status, the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and self-employment. Local offices run the classes online, virtually or in person, usually twice a week for three hours, and the basic course is offered in the fall. Jackson Hewitt says fees vary by location and that many locations offer the course for little to no cost, so you have to contact your local office for prices and dates. Finishing gives you a certificate of completion and IRS continuing education hours, and graduates are encouraged to apply for Tax Pro jobs at their local office, although completion is not a job offer. Short intermediate and advanced courses follow between May and December. Because offices set their own terms, the experience can differ a lot from town to town.
Standout feature
About 30 hours of training, often free, with a route to local Tax Pro roles.
Use cases
People wanting seasonal income
Take the fall FTP course at a local office
Outcome: A certificate and an inside track to apply for Tax Pro roles
Learners testing the field
Complete the 30-hour basic course
Outcome: A low-cost check on whether tax work suits them
Key features
- Fundamentals of Tax Preparation course of about 30 hours
- 12 modules plus a final exam
- Online, virtual or in-person classes
- Certificate of completion and IRS CE hours
- Intermediate and advanced courses of three hours or less
Pros
- Many locations offer the course for little to no cost
- Short, about 30 hours in total
- Graduates can apply for local Tax Pro roles
Cons
- Fees, schedules and formats vary by office
- Basic course runs in the fall only
- Completion does not guarantee a job
Rank 7
National Tax Training School
Accredited home study Federal Income Tax Course with a personal instructor and a practice-building guide.
nationaltax.edu8.1
out of 10
Best for: Self-starters who want one-on-one instructor guidance and help setting up their own tax practice.
National Tax Training School is a long-running accredited home study school, and its Federal Income Tax Course is aimed at people who plan to open their own practice. The course has 20 lesson units of about eight hours each, covering individual returns and small-to-medium business returns, and it has been updated for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. You can finish in as little as eight weeks or take up to six months. Each student gets a personal instructor, the lesson text arrives in print as well as online, and real life case studies have you prepare sample returns. After the basic portion, the school ships a 250-page book on building a tax practice, and you get a year of its Consultation and Advisory Service. Full tuition is $895, including a $125 registration fee, or $924 over three payments. That is more than Surgent's beginner course, and there are no live classes.
Standout feature
Every student gets a personal instructor and a year of advisory service.
Use cases
People planning a home tax business
Complete the course and use the practice-building book
Outcome: Return skills plus a plan for finding clients and setting fees
Learners who want one-on-one help
Work through 20 units with an assigned instructor
Outcome: Personal coaching from enrollment onward
Key features
- 20 lesson units of about eight hours each
- Personal instructor assigned at enrollment
- Printed course text plus online learning portal
- 250-page Building and Operating a Successful Tax Practice book
- One year of Consultation and Advisory Service
Pros
- Covers individual and small-to-medium business returns
- Updated for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Instructor coaching throughout the course
Cons
- $895 is the highest entry price on this list
- Includes a $125 registration fee
- Home study only, with no live classes
Rank 8
Latino Tax Pro
Tax preparer training, AFSP and California CTEC courses in English, bilingual and Spanish formats.
latinotaxpro.com8.0
out of 10
Best for: Spanish-speaking and bilingual preparers, and California preparers who need the 60-hour CTEC course.
Latino Tax Pro is the strongest option on this list for preparers who want to learn in Spanish or serve Spanish-speaking clients. Its self-study Tax Preparation Course comes in English, bilingual and Spanish versions and walks line by line through Form 1040. California students can take the 60-hour qualifying education course, made up of 45 hours of federal tax law including 2 hours of ethics and 15 hours of California law, which is what the state requires to become a California Registered Tax Preparer. For experienced preparers there is an 18-hour AFSP course with the AFTR exam and a CE bundle of 34 hours. Live webinars, a VIP membership with an Ask a Tax Pro service and a co-branded website program for firms round it out. The school says it is not offering the CTEC 20-hour renewal course this season, and some event dates on its homepage are old. We could not load its store from our location to confirm prices.
Standout feature
Preparer, AFSP and CTEC courses in English, bilingual and Spanish versions.
Use cases
Spanish-speaking career changers
Take the Spanish or bilingual Tax Preparation Course
Outcome: Form 1040 training in their first language
New California preparers
Complete the 60-hour CTEC course
Outcome: Qualifying education for CRTP registration
Key features
- Self-study Tax Preparation Course with line-by-line Form 1040 instructions
- California CTEC 60-hour qualifying education course
- Federal AFSP course with 18 hours including the AFTR exam
- CE bundle with 29 hours of tax law, 3 hours of updates and 2 hours of ethics
- Live webinars and a VIP membership with Ask a Tax Pro
Pros
- Courses in English, bilingual and Spanish versions
- Covers California's 60-hour CRTP requirement
- Co-branded website program for firms that teach
Cons
- Not offering the CTEC 20-hour renewal course this season
- Some event listings on the site are out of date
- Prices were not available from our location
Rank 9
Liberty Tax Tax School
Tuition-free income tax preparation courses from Liberty Tax, offered in person and online.
libertytax.com8.0
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want free basic training and may work a season at a Liberty Tax office.
Liberty Tax runs a tuition-free tax school with in-person and online income tax preparation courses. Its Basic Tax Course 101 is meant for people with no experience and runs over six or eight weeks, covering filing requirements, dependents and credits, sources of income, adjustments and deductions. California and Oregon follow different schedules because those states have their own preparer rules. Like the H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt courses, it is mainly a way for Liberty Tax to train people for seasonal work in its offices, so the class you get depends on the local office. Liberty publishes less detail about certificates, materials and class dates than the other schools on this list, and we could not load its page from our location to confirm current terms. It is a fair free starting point, but most people will want a more complete course or the AFSP credential after their first season.
Standout feature
Tuition-free basic tax training in person or online.
Use cases
Beginners on a tight budget
Enroll in Basic Tax Course 101
Outcome: Free basic training over six to eight weeks
Job seekers near a Liberty Tax office
Take the course before the season
Outcome: Training aimed at seasonal preparer work
Key features
- Basic Tax Course 101 for beginners
- Tuition-free program
- In-person and online classes
- Covers filing requirements, dependents and credits, income, adjustments and deductions
- Different schedules for California and Oregon
Pros
- No tuition
- No experience needed
- Runs over 6 or 8 weeks
Cons
- Details depend on the local office
- Covers basics only
- Less published detail than other courses
Rank 10
Lambers EA Review
Per-part enrolled agent review with video courseware, test prep software and flashcards from a long-running CPA and EA review company.
lambers.com7.7
out of 10
Best for: EA candidates who want to buy only the parts and study formats they need.
Lambers EA Review is the budget option for enrolled agent candidates who want to buy a la carte. Instead of one bundle, Lambers sells each of the three exam parts separately in three formats: video courseware at $233 per part on sale, or $199 for a Special edition, EA Review Test Prep Software at $149 per part, and Flash Trainer flashcards at $99 per part. The video lectures cover every topic on the exam, show where examiners test most heavily and work through hundreds of exam-style questions, and Lambers says its instructors have prepared candidates for the CPA and EA exams for over 20 years. That flexibility helps if you only need to retake one part. The downsides are age and depth: the store lists 2025 editions, the site looks dated, and Lambers does not list an adaptive platform, simulated exams or a pass guarantee like Gleim and Becker do. Buying all three parts in every format also costs more than some bundles.
Standout feature
Each EA exam part and study format is sold separately, from $99.
Use cases
Candidates retaking one EA part
Buy the video courseware for that part only
Outcome: Focused review without paying for a full bundle
Candidates on a small budget
Add $149 test prep software to free IRS materials
Outcome: Exam-style practice at low cost
Key features
- Video courseware for each of the three EA exam parts
- EA Review Test Prep Software for each part
- Flash Trainer flashcards for each part
- Lectures that work through hundreds of exam-style questions
- Instructors with over 20 years of CPA and EA exam prep
Pros
- Buy one part at a time
- Low entry prices on test prep and flashcards
- Video lectures without buying a full bundle
Cons
- Products are labeled 2025 editions
- Dated website and store
- No adaptive platform or simulated exams listed
Frequently asked questions
+Which tax preparer certification is best?
For most people starting out, Surgent Income Tax School is the best course, with a $497 Comprehensive Tax Course and certificates reported to the IRS and CTEC. The strongest credential is the enrolled agent, the highest the IRS awards, and Gleim EA Review from $499 is our top prep course for it.
+What is the best tax preparer certification for beginners?
Beginners should start with a preparer course such as Surgent's $497 Comprehensive Tax Course or a low-cost office school from H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt or Liberty Tax, then earn the IRS AFSP Record of Completion. Fast Forward Academy sells the full 18-hour AFSP bundle for $99.
+What is the best certification for tax prep if I want to represent clients?
The enrolled agent credential is the one to get, since enrolled agents can represent any taxpayer on any tax matter before the IRS. AFSP holders can only represent clients whose returns they prepared, and only before certain IRS staff. Gleim, Becker and Fast Forward Academy all sell EA prep from about $499 to $799.
+Do I need a certification to prepare taxes for clients?
Not federally. Anyone with a PTIN can prepare federal returns for pay, and the AFSP is voluntary, according to the IRS. Some states set their own rules, such as California's 60-hour qualifying education requirement for registered preparers.
+How much does a tax preparer course cost?
H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax charge little or no tuition for beginner classes, though H&R Block charges for materials in most states. Surgent's Comprehensive Tax Course costs $497 and National Tax Training School charges $895. EA review runs $499 to $799, plus $259 per exam part.
+How long does it take to become a tax preparer?
Jackson Hewitt's basic course takes about 30 hours and Liberty Tax's runs six to eight weeks. Surgent says you can start preparing taxes in as little as 10 weeks, and National Tax Training School allows eight weeks to six months for its 20 units.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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