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AFTR Course

Choosing the Best AFTR Course Provider in 2026

Jason Dinesen

Last Updated: Jun 09, 2025
2656

Summary

As a non-credential tax preparer, finding the best AFTR Course Provider is crucial to enhance your career growth. This guide examines the importance of AFTR courses, making a comparison of top providers including MYCPE ONE, Gleim, WebCE, Fast Forward Academy, and Surgent. Among these, MYCPE ONE stands out due to affordable pricing, high-quality content, a user-friendly platform, and excellent support.

By choosing the right course provider, you stay updated with current tax laws and gain an edge over competitors. Considering your professional growth, the information about choosing your AFTR course provider is timely and useful.

The Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course is essential for non-credential tax preparers who want to participate in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP).

But choosing the course makes a big difference. This has an impact on your quality of learning, confidence, expertise, and career growth.

This guide will lead you through the importance of the AFTR courses, compare some of the best AFTR courses available, and help you choose the right course for you.

Quick Note: Since January 1, 2016, the IRS has restructured the representation right to accredited preparers only. So, what’s new here...

PTIN Holder: Prepare tax return but cannot represent client before IRS (in audit and other matters)
PTIN + AFSP – RoC Holder: Limited representation rights for returns you prepared and signed.
CPA, EA, or attorney: Unlimited representation rights before the IRS.

Why AFTR Courses are Important?

The AFTR course ensures that tax preparers are up-to-date with the latest tax laws and regulations. Completing this course enhances your knowledge and gives you a competitive edge by earning the IRS Record of Completion, which can be a valuable credential in your professional career.

Choose the Best AFTR course

Generally, AFTR courses are bundled with an AFSP course containing 18 hours of course. Decide if you want a whole 18-hour or 15-hour (for Exempt AFSP) course bundle containing 6 hours of AFTR courses. However, if you need only 6 hours of AFTR content, you have a very limited option.

So, how do you find the right fit?

Don't worry; just follow the checklist.

✅ Look for IRS-approved providers.

✅ Decide if you need a complete AFSP bundle or just 6 hours of AFTR.

✅ Compare prices with another course.

✅ Review Course Topics and formats.

✅ Check ratings and real user reviews.

Still feeling complicated? Don't worry; we have made it easy for you.

Top AFTR Course Providers Comparison

Below is a comparison table highlighting critical features of some leading AFTR course providers, including MYCPE ONE, Gleim, WebCE, Fast Forward Academy, and Surgent. Regarding your concern, all the underlying courses have been approved by the IRS.

AFTR Providers	MYCPE ONE	Gleim	WebCE	Fast Forward Academy	Surgent
Course Hours	18 Hours	18 Hours	06 Hours	06 Hours	06 hours
Price	$49	$89.95	$89.95	$89.10	$59
Format	Self-study Course	Self-study Course	QAS Self-study	Self-study Course	PDF, Textbook
Auto Reporting	Auto reporting to IRS	NA	Auto reporting to IRS	Auto reporting to IRS	NA
Trustpilot Reviews	4.9	NA	NA	3.1	3.6

But wait. Here are some things that you should know before you subscribe to any course. Some platforms have many excellent learning options that not only offer enriching content but also provide a seamless learning experience.

MYCPE ONE's AFTR Course

MYCPE ONE stands out as a top choice for many tax preparers because of its quality courses, affordability, and lots of additional benefits:

1. Comprehensive Learning

A detailed 6-hour AFTR course. But if you want a complete 15- or 18-hour AFSP course, you have it all as well. You also need 10 hours of Federal Tax Law and 2 hours of ethics to complete all IRS requirements.

2. Affordable Pricing

For the AFTR 6-hour course, you only have to pay $49. MYCPE ONE offers a competitive price with a subscription option at $199, which allows you to get complete CPE Access to 15,000+ hours of continuing education courses.

3. User-Friendly Platform

The platform is designed to search and segmentate courses according to qualification and subject for ease of use, features to track your course progress and completion.

4. High-Quality Content

The courses are created by top industry professionals, ensuring the most up-to-date and relevant information.

5. Excellent Support

MYCPE ONE offers robust customer support, helping you with any questions or issues that may arise during your course.

MYCPE ONE Success Stories

Kevin Conyngham

★★★★☆

"My experience with MYCPE ONE was very successful. I achieved 120 credits within a few months. The topics and course variety were exceptional. The few issues I did have were handled professionally and quickly by Monika. She and the overall experience with My CPE exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend MYCPE ONE. Keep up the good work"

Source- Trustpilot

Gleim AFSP Bundles

Available for both Non-exempt and Non-exempt needs, you get an 18-hour and 15-hour CE bundle listed in the IRS RPO database. The 18 CE bundle includes an AFTR course of 6 hours, along with 100 questions on the final test. The 15 CE bundle includes a 3-hour Tax Law Update.

Pricing

Non-Exempt bundle - $89

Exempt bundle - $72

WebCE

The 18-hour AFSP CE course for Non-exempt professionals will cost you $89.95. They have plenty of other courses available for tax professionals who have positive reviews. You can also buy the courses individually.

The major drawback to note: It May end already, and they haven't yet come up with their 6-hour AFSP course.

Pricing

Non-Exempt bundle - $89.95

AFSP Bundle - $00 (Not specified yet)

Fast Forward Academy

Coming up with some additional options for tax preparers, Fast Forward Academy offers AFPS for Non-Exempt and Exempt preparers along with AFTR courses separately. The package bundles feel interesting with the addition of 39-40 courses.

It is a marketing gimmick, but they also offer interest-free installment payments for courses. The individual 6-hour AFTR course costs you $53.10, counting $9/hours. This is a really higher amount you pay to Fast Forward Academy compared to any other platform.

Pricing

Non-Exempt bundle - $89.10

Exempt bundle - $71.10

AFSP Bundle - $53.10

Surgent

Note:- Annual Filing Season Program for 2026 will be available in June.

For non-credential return preparers, Surgent is also one of the options they can choose from. But looking at other platforms, you may find Surgent a bit costly.

So, what extra are you getting that you paid off? To be honest, there is nothing more than regular courses. When you get the same by paying $49, why pay more?

As an add-on, you get the option of a textbook, but wait for this, too; be ready to pay extra.

Pricing

Non-Exempt bundle - $99 (+ $99 Textbook)

Exempt bundle - $79 (+ $79 Textbook)

Conclusion

So, with the comparison, I guess you have a clear image of the top course providers and the dimensions of their courses. Now you are set to make the decision of which one is the best-suited course for you.

Choosing the right AFTR course provider is crucial for your professional development as a tax preparer. Do not be late; stay ahead of your competitors. Start first and get listed on the IRS Federal Tax Return Preparers Directory.

MYCPE ONE offers a comprehensive and affordable package that meets and exceeds IRS requirements. With high-quality content, a user-friendly platform, and excellent customer support, MYCPE ONE is an excellent choice for your continuing education needs, making it a cost-effective option for many professionals.

FAQs

The AFSP is a voluntary IRS program encouraging non-credentialed tax return preparers to participate in continuing education courses. It aims to increase knowledge and improve the quality of tax preparation.

Non-credentialed tax preparers who wish to obtain the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) - Record of Completion need to complete the AFTR course.

Completing the AFTR course provides an IRS Record of Completion, which can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to staying current with tax laws.

Consider factors such as course content, price, user reviews, additional benefits (like included ethics courses), and whether the provider is IRS-approved.

Yes, enrolled agents can take the AFTR course but will not receive IRS CE credits.

About the Author

Jason Dinesen

President, Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C.

Jason (LPA, EA) is a seasoned tax expert, entrepreneur, and educator with over 18 years of experience in accounting, tax preparation, and business advisory. As the founder of Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C., he helps professionals understand complex tax concepts. A leading CPE presenter at MYCPE ONE, Jason has trained more than 200,000 professionals on tax updates, ethics, and IRS guidance. Known for his sharp insights and relatable teaching style, he helps CPAs, EAs, and finance professionals stay up to date and confidently navigate evolving tax laws.

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