Income Tax Preparer

The income tax courses are designed for experienced income tax return preparers and students interested in becoming income tax professionals. The College is an IRS Authorized Continuing Education provider. The designation allows students to receive IRS continuing education credit when enrolled in some of the TAX courses. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about professional requirements.

Printable Tax Preparer flyer (PDF, )

Recommended Income Tax Course Sequence*:

TAX003. Income Tax Preparer (54 hours)
- If you are just starting out with exploring a career in Income Tax Preparation and want to become certified in the state of Maryland, this class will help you work toward that goal. This course does not provide, and should not be used for, personal tax advice.
TAX010. Individual Tax Preparer Exam Test Prep (18 hours)
- You can opt to take TAX010 after TAX003 if you want additional preparation before taking the Maryland Tax Preparer exam.
TAX007 Small Business I Tax Course (30 hours) & TAX009 How to Start and Grow your Tax Preparation Business (8 hours)
- These two courses TAX007 and TAX009 are designed for individuals who are already working as tax preparers and want to expand their skills or tax business offerings. And can be taken in any order.
TAX006. Maryland Individual Tax Preparer continuing Education (17 hours)
- This course is for Maryland Individual Income Tax preparers who need to complete their required continuing education credits to renew/maintain their Maryland license. It is not recommended for beginner tax preparers.

*Note: Not all courses are offered every semester.

At a Glance Class Schedule:

Income Tax At A Glance Schedule Fall 2025
Course	CRN#	Course Title	Date - Time	Location
TAX003	23973 Fall	Income Tax Preparation (54 hours)	9 Sessions, Saturday 9/6 - 11/1/2025, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1 hour lunch break	Face to Face Rockville Campus
TAX003	23974 Fall	Income Tax Preparation (54 hours)	20 Sessions 10/17/2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wed 10/22/2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fri 10/27-11/14/2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri 11/17-11/19/2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mon, Wed 11/24/2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mon 12/1-12/17/2025, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon, Wed	Online Structured Remote
TAX010	23982 Fall	Individual Tax Preparer Exam Test Prep (18 hours)	3 Sessions, Saturday 12/6 - 12/20/2025 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1 hour lunch break	In-person Rockville Campus
TAX006	23975 Fall	Maryland Individual Income Tax Preparer Continuing Education (17 hours)	3 Sessions, Friday 9/5-9/19/2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Last class on 9/19 meets 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	In-person Rockville Campus
Tax006	23877 Fall	Maryland Individual Income Tax Preparer Continuing Education (17 hours)	3 Sessions, Friday 11/7-11/21/2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Last class on 11/21 meets 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	In-person Rockville Campus
TAX006	24976 Fall	Maryland Individual Income Tax Preparer Continuing Education (17 hours)	3 Sessions, Friday 10/3-10/17/2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Last class on 10/17 meets 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Online Structured Remote
TAX006	23978 Fall	Maryland Individual Income Tax Preparer Continuing Education (17 hours)	3 Sessions, Friday 12/5-12/19/2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Last class on 12/19 meets 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Online Structured Remote
Tax009	23980 Fall	How to Start and Grow Your Tax Preparation Business	1 Session, Saturday 11/22/2025, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1 hour lunch break	Online Structured Remote
Tax007	23979 Fall	Small Business / Tax Course	10 Sessions Tue, Thur 9/11-10/23/2025, 6-9 p.m. No class 10/2, 10/9, 10/14	Online Structured Remote

WDCE Scholarships

WDCE has a number of potential scholarship opportunities from time to time. Visit WDCE Scholarships to learn more.new window

Income Tax Preparer Courses:

TAX003 Income Tax Preparation (54 hours)

Target Audience: Students interested in becoming income tax return preparers
Gain a new skill to use part time or full time! This comprehensive course covers the basics of preparing individual tax returns filed with the IRS. Review, line by line, Form 1040 and the three schedules, including Schedule A (Itemized Deductions). Explore Schedules B, C, D, and E, ethics, and Federal Tax Law.

TAX006 Maryland Individual Tax Preparer Continuing Education (17 hours)

Target Audience: Experienced income tax preparers in need of continuing professional education hours
All Maryland Individual Income Tax preparers are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education credits when they renew their Maryland license. This course provides continuing professional education. Discuss three hours of tax law update, two hours of ethics, two hours of Maryland tax law topics, and 10 hours of federal tax law topics. Students will need to bring their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to class to receive IRS CE credit. IRS CE credit is awarded for the calendar year that the course is completed.

TAX007 Small Business I Tax Course (30 hours)

Target Audience: Experienced income tax preparers interested in business tax returns
Do you want to grow your tax practice by providing business tax returns? This course is designed for existing individual income tax return preparers. Discuss preparing business tax returns for various forms of business entities such as C and S Corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Discuss dispositions, income, expenses, and understanding the balance sheet. Review employment taxes such as Form 941, 940, Form W-2, W-3, W-9, Form 1099-NEC, and other relevant forms including 6198, 8829, and schedules M-1, M-2, K-2, K-3 and Form 7203 Basis.

TAX009 How to Start and Grow Your Tax Preparation Business (8 hours)

Target Audience: Experienced income tax preparers interested in starting a tax business
Learn how to go from employee to entrepreneur. Examine the process of starting and growing your tax business. Discuss tax preparation and obtaining credentials, developing a business plan, and risk management. Explore establishing your office, operating systems, and buying a tax practice. Learn the day-to-day activities of a tax preparation business owner: target market, pricing, advertising, growth potential, startup costs, hiring and employee retention, and more. Discuss responsibilities, such as due diligence and fraud protection, and helping your clients deal with the IRS.

Tax010: Individual Tax Preparer Exam Test Prep (18 hours)

Target Audience: Experienced income tax preparers interested in the Maryland Tax Preparers examination. This course will prepare you to take the Maryland Individual Tax Preparers Exam; the first step in becoming an individual tax preparer in Maryland by allowing you to sign federal and state tax returns. Review exam topics, including filing state and federal tax returns, income, assets, adjustments, exemptions, additions, deductions, tax computation, credits, other taxes due, payments, and ethics. Discuss the Affordable Care Act. Maryland topics include Maryland state residency, calculation of Maryland tax, Maryland state credits, calculation of local tax, TAX003 Income Tax Preparation. Textbook is required. Please bring your Comprehensive Tax Bundle for 2022 Returns, if you have it from TAX003. Or, it can be purchased at the MC Bookstore.