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Taking the Registered Tax Return Preparer Test? Here Are 2 Ways to Get Ready

May 10, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Income Tax School Program are offering two educational options to tax practitioners who are preparing to take the new Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) competency test this year.

  • The first option is a study at home option. Through a partnership with Fast Forward Academy, participants can study at home and access an online test bank of questions. The cost of the materials is $99 for the study guide and access to a 200-question test bank; or $179 for the study guide and access to a 700-question test bank and unlimited practice exams.
  • The second option is to attend one of four one-day preparatory workshops -- in Xenia, Burton, Powell or Bowling Green -- in June. Ohio State and Internal Revenue Service experts will be the instructors; the study materials and online test bank will be available as well. The workshops have two registration options: $199, which includes the day-long preparatory workshop, study guide and access to the 200-question test bank; or $279, which includes the day-long workshop, study guide, access to a 700-question test bank and unlimited practice exams.

The workshops are approved by the IRS Return Preparer Office for 8 hours of continuing education credit in the RTRP Test Preparation category. Lunch, program handouts, a Fast Forward study guide, an online test bank and refreshments are included.

Registration is available at http://go.osu.edu/RTRP and must be received by midnight, May 25. There is an additional $20 late registration fee.

As of Jan. 1, 2011, all paid tax preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. Existing PTIN holders must pass a competency test by the end of 2013. Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants and Enrolled Agents are exempt from the testing requirement. In addition to a competency exam, IRS Registered Tax Return Preparers will be required to take continuing education in the future.

For more information, contact David Marrison at marrison.2@osu.edu or Chris Bruynis at bruynis.1@osu.edu.

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Author(s): 
David Marrison