As we get closer to the 2020 tax season, tax pros need to complete their continuing professional education training. Luckily, the IRS and Drake Software can help with that.

The Internal Revenue Service is offering 15 new self-study seminars that were recorded during the 2019 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. The seminars are available on the agency’s Nationwide Tax Forums Online website and incorporate interactive videos, PowerPoint slides and transcripts.

Topics covered by the seminars include:

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Update: Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A) and Opportunity Zones - Real Estate Investment Trust REIT Dividends
• E-File Identification Number (EFIN) Security Responsibilities
• Highlights of 2019 Tax Law Changes – Plenary Session
• Understanding the Circular 230 Disciplinary Process

The online forums are registered with the IRS Return Preparer Office and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as a qualified sponsor of continuing education. For a fee, CPAs, Enrolled Agents and Annual Filing Season Program participants taking these online seminars can earn continuing education credits.

In order to earn CPE credit, users have to create an account, answer the review questions posted during the seminar, and pass the short tests at the end of the event.

Tax pros can also audit the online seminars for free, but won’t have access to the review questions and will not receive CPE credit for auditing.

Besides the current seminars, the www.irstaxforumsonline.com website also has seminars from previous Nationwide Tax Forums.

Drake Update Schools

Drake Software’s Update Schools give customers the chance to network and prepare for the upcoming tax season. At any one of 10 locations and times, attendees can hear the latest tax and industry information, check out the latest enhancements to the software, and get valuable software instruction.

Locations and dates for the 2019 Update Schools are:

• 6 – Atlantic City, NJ
• 12 – Chicago, IL
• 19 – Dallas, TX
• 21 – Franklin, NC (Live Webcast)
• 22 - Franklin, NC
• 9 – Concord, NC
• 12 – Orlando, FL
• 17 – Las Vegas, NV
• 10 – Franklin, NC (also Live Webcast)
• 15 – Franklin, NC (Recast of Jan. 10 Live Stream)

For more on the Drake Update Schools, check out Drake’s Software Training page.