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AFTR Information

Am I exempt from the AFTR Course?

Some tax preparers do not need to complete the 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course to qualify for the Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion. These preparers still need to complete 15 hours of approved continuing education to qualify for the program.


The following preparers are exempt from the AFTR requirement:

  • Former IRS Registered Tax Return Preparers (RTRP) who passed the in-person RTRP exam administered by the IRS between November 2011 and January 2013
  • Active return preparer program participants with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners, California Tax Education Council (CTEC), and/or Maryland State Board of Individual Tax Preparers
  • SEE Part I: Tax preparers who have passed the IRS Special Enrollment Exam Part I within the past two years
  • VITA/TCE volunteers: Quality reviewers, instructors, and return preparers with active PTINs
  • Other accredited tax-focused credential-holders: The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation’s Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA) and Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) programs

To view detailed requirement descriptions for all preparer categories, please Click Here

NOTE: The Annual Filing Season Program is for unenrolled preparers, therefore attorneys, certified public accountants (CPA), enrolled agents (EA), enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPA), and enrolled actuaries do not need to take continuing education for this program.


AFSP packages are not currently available

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If you are not completely satisfied with your courses, for any reason, you may request a full refund at any time within 45 days of your purchase.

Hours: 72 every three years

Minimum: 16 hours per year (including ethics)

Ethics: 2 hours per year

CE Deadlines: 12/31 Annually

More EA CE Info

All courses completed with a passing score are automatically reported to the IRS as long as you have provided your PTIN number to us. Courses are reported every business day, but please note that the IRS may take up to 48 hours to post recently reported credits in your PTIN account online.

Pacific CPE is a NASBA and IRS-approved provider of online self-study continuing education for accounting professionals.

NASBA: 143718

IRS: TJTMJ

Customer Support: Monday–Friday 7:00am–4:00pm PT

Phone: (800) 787-5313

Email: Support@PacificCPE.com