MYCPE ONE

Introduction

So, the preparation is for the final season of 2027. Tax year 2026 returns are here, completely rewritten by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Before tax season hit, a tax accountant should take a federal tax update course on information reporting, IRS procedures, and state conformity.

Timing matters! It’s mid-October; PTIN renewals are open now. Complete AFSP coursework by December 31, 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a federal tax update that covers tax year 2026 changes. Most of the OBBBA provisions you will see on 2027 returns are in your clients’ numbers already.
  • Tax year 2026 brings new items preparers must handle: a $40,400 SALT cap, a 0.5% AGI floor on itemized charitable gifts, a $2,000 threshold for Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC, and broker cost basis on Form 1099-DA.
  • CPAs follow state board rules, enrolled agents need 72 hours every three years (16 per year, 2 in ethics), and AFSP participants need 18 hours (15 if exempt) by December 31.
  • Ethics and data security are not box-ticking topics. Circular 230 duties and the FTC Safeguards Rule apply to every return you sign.
  • Finish technical CPE by early December, then spend January on software, workflow, and team training.

What should be the Pre-Season CPE & Learning Checklist Before Tax Season?

Tax season preparation is important, and what could be better when you can complete learn that along with your continuing education requirement. Well, 20 to 30 hours will be enough to cover most of the updates.

Build your pre-season plan around key areas:

  • Federal tax update: inflation adjustments, new law, and IRS guidance for the year you are about to file.
  • Targeted law-change courses: deeper sessions on the provisions that touch your client base, such as individual deductions or business depreciation.
  • Information reporting: Forms 1099, W-2 changes, and digital asset reporting that will drive matching notices.
  • Tax ethics: Circular 230, due diligence, and conflicts of interest.
  • Data security: your written information security plan (WISP), phishing, and identity theft response.
  • Practice and procedure: IRS notices, penalties, and representation, so you can handle problems after filing.

Well, friendly advice would be to take an Annual Federal Tax Update in case of time constraints. And manage to try to add ethics, anyway your licensing bodies require it.

Why Does Pre-Season CPE Matter More for the 2027 Filing Season?

The 2027 filing season covers income earned in 2026. Many OBBBA provisions applied to 2025 returns, but a second wave starts in 2026. Preparers who learned the 2025 rules last season still have new material to absorb.

The table below lists tax year 2026 changes that most firms will meet, and the CPE topic that covers each one.

CPE topic to cover itChanges in Tax Year 2026What it means in practice
Federal tax updateStandard deduction increases to $16,100 for single and $32,200 for MFJ.Check whether standard deduction or itemizing individual expenses will be more beneficiary.
Individual tax planningSALT deduction increases to $40,400, with an income-based phase-out.High-income clients in high-tax states need fresh projections
Individual deductions update0.5% of AGI floor on itemized charitable gifts; new deduction for non-itemizersCharitable planning and documentation change for both groups
High-net-worth planningItemized deduction value capped at 35% for the top bracketAffects modeling for 37% bracket clients
Information reportingForm 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC threshold rises from $600 to $2,000Update vendor reporting workflows for business clients
Digital asset taxationForm 1099-DA reports cost basis for covered digital assetsExpect basis mismatches for assets moved between wallets
Payroll and individual updateQualified overtime reported separately on Form W-2Easier to verify the overtime deduction; transition relief ends
Federal tax updateEnergy Efficient Home Improvement and Residential Clean Energy credits endClients may still expect these credits; set expectations early

The Pre-Season Tax CPE Checklist

Work through this list in order. Each item names the course type, why it matters, and who needs it most.

1. Federal tax update (4 to 8 hours)

This is the foundation. A good tax update CPE course covers inflation-adjusted figures, new forms, and IRS guidance issued since the last season. Look for one built for the 2027 filing season, not a recycled 2025 course with a new title.

Who needs it: every preparer, regardless of credential.

2. Individual tax law changes (2 to 4 hours)

The new deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and seniors created questions last season about eligibility and documentation. In 2026, the charitable changes and the SALT phase-out add more planning work. A focused course helps you explain these to clients in plain language.

Who needs it: 1040-heavy practices and seasonal preparers.

3. Business and pass-through taxation (3 to 6 hours)

Bonus depreciation, Section 174A research expensing, Section 179, and the qualified business income deduction all changed under OBBBA. Mistakes here are expensive because they carry into future years through depreciation schedules and amended returns.

Who needs it: CPAs and EAs who prepare S corporation, partnership, or Schedule C returns.

4. Information reporting and matching (1 to 2 hours)

The jump to a $2,000 threshold for Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC changes what your business clients must file in January 2027. Form 1099-DA now carries basis for covered digital assets, so mismatches with client records will show up on Form 8949 and, later, in IRS notices.

Who needs it: firms that handle bookkeeping or year-end 1099 filing for clients, and anyone with crypto clients.

5. Tax ethics and Circular 230 (2 hours)

Most credentials require ethics hours, and a tax-specific ethics course is the most useful way to meet them. Cover due diligence, conflicts of interest, client records, and the rules on taxpayer consent for disclosure and use of return information under Section 7216.

Who needs it: every EA and AFSP participant, and CPAs whose state requires ethics hours this cycle.

6. Data security and the WISP (1 to 2 hours)

Tax practices are a top target for phishing and account takeover in January and February. The FTC Safeguards Rule requires a written information security plan, and IRS Publication 5708 offers a template for small firms. A short course before season helps you update the plan and train staff before the first client portal upload.

Who needs it: firm owners and every staff member with access to client data.

7. IRS practice, procedure, and penalties (2 to 4 hours)

Clients call about notices all year, and busy season is no exception. A course on CP2000 responses, penalty abatement, and payment plans means you can resolve issues quickly instead of researching them under deadline pressure.

Who needs it: EAs, CPAs who offer representation, and AFSP participants who want to use their limited representation rights.

8. State conformity (1 to 2 hours)

States decide separately whether to follow federal changes such as bonus depreciation and the new individual deductions. A state update course or a firm-specific briefing prevents returns that are right federally and wrong on the state side.

Who needs it: multistate preparers and firms in states that decouple from federal law.

9. Software, automation and AI workflow (1 to 2 hours)

Technical CPE prepares you for the law. Workflow training prepares you for the volume. Learn your tax software’s new features, document intake tools, and any AI review assistants your firm uses, along with the review controls that keep them accurate.

Who needs it: teams adopting new tools or onboarding seasonal staff.

When Should You Take Each Course? A Pre-Season Timeline

WhenWhat to do
Mid-OctoberRenew your PTIN for 2027. Review your CPE hours to date and list the gaps.
Late October to NovemberTake the federal tax update and the law-change courses that fit your client base.
Early DecemberFinish ethics, data security, and any AFSP courses. Confirm hours are reported to the IRS where required.
December 31Last day for AFSP coursework and the annual EA minimum.
JanuarySoftware updates, workflow training, and a short team refresher on anything new.


On MYCPE ONE, more than 250,000 accounting professionals use live webinars and self-study courses to meet CPE requirements.

Conclusion

Preparing for the 2027 tax season. The latest federal tax changes, information reporting requirements, state tax conformity, and IRS guidance that affect tax year 2026 returns need high attention.

Well, an annual federal tax update with added focus on courses based on your clients, practice areas, and professional responsibilities, along with ethics. Complete ethics, data security, and required AFSP coursework before the December 31 deadline. Use January to review tax software, improve workflows, and prepare your team for the filing rush.

FAQ

T,ake a federal tax update for the upcoming filing season, focused courses on the law changes that affect your clients, a tax ethics course, and a data security refresher. Add information reporting, IRS procedure, and state conformity as needed. 

Enrolled agents need 72 hours every three years, with at least 16 hours each year. Two of those annual hours must be in ethics, and courses must come from an IRS-approved CE provider. 

The Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) is a 6-hour course with a comprehension test, required for non-exempt preparers in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program. You must pass the test with at least 70% by December 31. 

AFSP coursework must be completed by December 31, 2026. You must also renew your PTIN for 2027 and consent to Circular 230 obligations to receive the Record of Completion. 

Not always. CPA requirements are set by each state board, and most allow a mix of fields. CPAs who prepare returns benefit from tax CPE every year, and some states require a state-specific ethics course. 

Key changes include the $40,400 SALT cap, a 0.5% AGI floor on itemized charitable gifts, a $2,000 threshold for Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC, cost basis on Form 1099-DA, and the end of the residential energy credits. 

Yes. Several providers offer free webinars or starter credits. Check that the course is from a NASBA-registered sponsor for CPA credit, or an IRS-approved provider for EA and AFSP credit.`      

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA

CFO, AZSTEC LLC

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA (US), is the CFO at Azstec, LLC and a trusted advisor to high-net-worth entrepreneurs. A seasoned tax planner and a business strategist with his 25 years of experience, he helps businesses grow smarter and stronger. Imtiaz specializes in guiding entrepreneurs and enterprises through complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. His passion lies in simplifying strategy, optimizing tax outcomes, and driving sustainable growth. Through his work and thought leadership, Imtiaz continues to empower CPAs and business owners to stay ahead in an evolving financial landscape shaped by AI, ESG, and data-driven change.

Must Read Blogs

Compliance vs Compliance Plus: Pricing and Features Compared for Your Team
  • 213 Reads

Compliance vs Compliance Plus: Pricing and Features Compared for Your Team

Offshore Bookkeeping vs. In-House: What UK Accounting Firms Should Consider
  • 272 Reads

Offshore Bookkeeping vs. In-House: What UK Accounting Firms Should Consider

Litera CE Manager vs. MYCPE ONE – CPE for Teams
  • 269 Reads

Litera CE Manager vs. MYCPE ONE – CPE for Teams

View All