AFSP (Annual Filing Season Program)
The cheapest, fastest IRS recognition for tax preparers — annual $200-500 vs. EA's $1300+ total path. Suitable for tax preparation as side income.
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Visit Official Site →Founded
2014
HQ
Washington, DC, USA
Target Audience
Non-credentialed tax return preparers (those without CPA, EA, or attorney status) wanting voluntary IRS-issued recognition of competency in federal tax return preparation.
Key Features
- Voluntary program — IRS issues a Record of Completion (not a license/certification)
- Requirements: 18 hours of continuing education annually (including 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course with end-of-course test, 10 hrs federal tax law, 2 hrs ethics)
- AFTR course test: 100 questions, 3 hours, 70% passing
- Grants limited IRS representation rights (only for clients whose returns the AFSP preparer signed) — full representation rights remain CPA/EA/attorney only
- PTIN required
- Lower tier than EA — voluntary recognition only; no licensure status
How to Get This Certification
Prerequisites
Valid PTIN. No prior education or experience prerequisite.
Why Get Certified — ROI
Salary Impact
AFSP-only tax preparers typically earn $25,000-$50,000 annually as seasonal preparers; full-time independent preparers $40,000-$80,000.
Career Benefits
- What makes this stand out
- The cheapest, fastest IRS recognition for tax preparers — annual $200-500 vs. EA's $1300+ total path. Suitable for tax preparation as side income.
- Industry recognition
- IRS — voluntary program, not formal licensure.
Who Should Get This Certification
Ideal for:
- Non-credentialed tax return preparers (those without CPA
- EA
- or attorney status) wanting voluntary IRS-issued recognition of competency in federal tax return preparation.
Consider alternatives if:
- Not a credential or license — only a 'Record of Completion' that lapses annually
- Highly limited representation rights compared to EA
Pricing
Pricing varies.
Weaknesses
- Not a credential or license — only a 'Record of Completion' that lapses annually
- Highly limited representation rights compared to EA
- Excluded from IRS's Annual Filing Season Program participant Directory if year's CE not completed
- Minimal career-ladder value; AFSP preparers cannot grow into corporate or audit roles without further credentialing
Markets Served
US
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links.
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