Choosing the Best AFTR Course Provider in 2025
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...
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.
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.
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 stands out as a top choice for many tax preparers because of its quality courses, affordability, and lots of additional benefits:
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.
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.
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.
The courses are created by top industry professionals, ensuring the most up-to-date and relevant information.
MYCPE ONE offers robust customer support, helping you with any questions or issues that may arise during your course.
Source- Trustpilot
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
Note: They haven't released AFSP 2025 - (Coming Soon)
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)
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
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)
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.
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.
Jason Dinesen (LPA, EA) is an entrepreneur, tax expert, and CPE Presenter. Dinesen brings over 15 years of experience helping individuals and businesses with accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and business advisory in various industries. Dinesen is a regular CPE Presenter at MYCPE ONE. He has coached more than 200k+ accounting, taxes, and HR professionals on various topics of accounting, individual taxation, corporate taxation, and professional ethics. Jason has developed a strong following within the professional community for tax-related subjects. Dinesen is known for sharp tax interpretations, and he quickly brings his analysis of the latest tax updates and IRS guidance to the professional community.
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