Self-paced learning
Work through foundational tax preparation lessons on your own schedule, with a focus on Form 1040 basics and practical filing concepts.
Self-study tax preparation course
Learn tax preparation and launch with ARMS behind you.
Start your path toward becoming a tax preparer with guided self-study training, ARMS mentorship, and business launch support designed for aspiring tax professionals.
Where will you prepare taxes?
If you are in California, choose the California option. It includes everything in the federal course plus the state requirements to register as a tax preparer.
$597
Total program price
$250
Deposit today
$347
Balance after enrollment
Built for new tax preparers
A practical first step into tax preparation.
The ARMS Launch Academy offer combines self-paced tax preparation training with the guidance new preparers need when they are moving from learning into real client work.
What you get
Training plus the support to use it.
ARMS mentorship
Get guidance from ARMS as you move through the training and prepare to understand real tax office expectations.
Business launch support
Learn with an eye toward launching, growing, or adding a tax preparation income stream with a professional support system around you.
Course focus
Understand the building blocks of individual tax preparation.
Meet California's 60-hour qualifying education requirement.
- Filing status and which form to use
- Standard and itemized deductions
- Income, adjustments, and credits
- Qualifying dependent rules
- Capital gains and losses
- Safeguarding taxpayer documents
- Prepare federal Form 1040 and California Form 540
- Practice Tax Returns after key chapters
- 43 hours federal tax law, 2 hours ethics, 15 hours California tax law
- Three online finals: Ethics, Federal, and California
- CTEC qualifying education for CRTP registration
- PTIN application and limited representation rights
Course chapters
A complete beginner path through Form 1040 preparation.
Same 13-chapter path, expanded for California registration.
Where will you prepare taxes?
Overview of Form 1040
Overview of Form 1040 & 540
Get familiar with the main individual tax return form, its structure, sections, and how it fits together.
Get familiar with the main individual federal and California tax return forms, their structure, sections, and how they fit together.
Filing Status, Dependents and Deductions
Learn how to determine filing status, qualifying dependents, and standard versus itemized deductions.
Income
Understand taxable income, including wages, tips, interest, dividends, and where they belong on the return.
Adjustments to Income
Review above-the-line deductions such as student loan interest and IRA contributions.
Other Taxes and Taxpayer Penalties
Learn about additional taxes and penalties taxpayers may face for underpayment or late filing.
Payments and Tax Credits
Explore withholding, estimated payments, and credits such as the Child Tax Credit and EIC.
Itemized Deductions
Dive into Schedule A deductions, including mortgage interest, medical expenses, and charitable contributions.
Capital Gains and Losses
Learn how to report profits and losses from selling stocks, real estate, and other assets.
Depreciation
Understand how to deduct business asset costs over time using methods like Section 179 and bonus depreciation.
Schedule C
Study how self-employed individuals and sole proprietors report business income and expenses.
Schedule E
Cover supplemental income from rental properties, partnerships, S corporations, and trusts.
Extensions, Amendments and Electronic Filing
Learn how to file Form 4868, correct a return with Form 1040-X, and navigate e-filing options.
Ethics
Review professional standards and responsibilities tax preparers must follow, including Circular 230 guidelines.
Review professional standards tax preparers must follow, including Circular 230 guidelines and CRTP requirements.
Federal Tax Law Final Exam
Federal and California Tax Law Final Exams
Test your knowledge across all chapters and complete the course.
Complete the Ethics, Federal Tax Law, and California Tax Law finals to earn your 60-hour qualifying education certificate.
Practice Tax Returns are completed after select chapters and include review questions based on material covered up to that point.
California course
Same chapter path, built for CTEC registration.
California requires 60 hours of qualifying education before you can register as a California Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP). The California course uses the same 13-chapter structure as the federal course, with California tax law woven throughout and expanded in key chapters.
- CTEC-approved qualifying education — 60 hours total
- 43 hours federal tax law, 2 hours ethics, 15 hours California tax law
- Practice Tax Returns after select chapters
- Three separate online finals: Ethics, Federal, and California
- Self-paced eBook with chapter quizzes and videos
- ARMS mentorship and business launch support included
Who this is for
Aspiring tax preparers in California who need qualifying education before registering with CTEC and preparing returns for a fee.
What you will learn
How to prepare federal Form 1040 and California Form 540, apply California-specific tax rules, and meet the professional standards required to begin preparing returns for a fee in California.
How it differs from federal
Chapter 1 covers Form 540 alongside Form 1040. Ethics includes CRTP requirements. You complete Practice Tax Returns during the course and pass three finals instead of one.
After the course
Complete CTEC registration steps including a background check, PTIN, tax preparer bond, and CTEC registration fee. ARMS mentorship helps you understand the path from certificate to client work.
The ARMS difference
Do more than finish a course.
A self-study course can teach the material. ARMS adds the launch support, practical perspective, and mentorship that helps aspiring preparers understand the next step after the lessons.
01
Reserve your spot
Start enrollment with the $250 deposit.
02
Begin self-study
Work through the tax preparation material at your pace.
03
Launch with support
Use ARMS mentorship and business launch guidance as you move forward.
Enrollment
Ready to enroll?
Confirm where you will prepare taxes, then pay your deposit to reserve your spot.
Where will you prepare taxes?
If you are in California, choose the California option before you pay.
Federal tax preparation program
California qualifying education program
This is the right program if you are preparing taxes outside California. The total price is $597. Your $250 deposit reserves enrollment, with the remaining $347 balance due after enrollment.
This is the program you need if you are in California and plan to prepare returns for a fee. It includes CTEC qualifying education, mentorship, and business launch support. The total price is $597. Your $250 deposit reserves enrollment, with the remaining $347 balance due after enrollment.
You are enrolling in
Federal course
California: CTEC 60-hour course
$250Deposit today
$597 total program price
$347 balance due after enrollment
Pay $250 Deposit Pay $597 Full Course Questions? Call 718-518-0110