EZ Tax Academy | Start Your Tax Career
EZ Tax Academy • Powered by the EZ FILE NOW ecosystemSelective entry • Beginner focused • Growth minded
Built for people brand new to tax

Your 9 to 5 does not have to be your final destination.

You do not need years of tax experience to start. EZ Tax Academy is designed for motivated beginners who want to learn a real industry, build a professional skill and create a path that can grow with them.

Start From ZeroNo tax industry background required to apply.
Learn With StructureTraining, standards and live accountability.
Grow Inside One EcosystemA path designed to evolve as your skills do.
Entry Is EarnedNot every applicant is accepted.
Meet the Opportunity

See what your next chapter could look like.

Whether you work full time, want a second stream of income or are ready for a career change, start by understanding the opportunity and the expectations.

Who This Is For

You do not have to quit your job to start building something new.

The academy is built around people who are serious about learning but may be starting from a completely different career or schedule.

01

The 9 to 5 Professional

You want to keep your current stability while learning a professional skill you can grow over time.

02

The Career Changer

You are ready to enter a new industry and want structure instead of trying to figure everything out alone.

03

The Future Owner

You are not only thinking about preparing returns. You want to understand how to eventually build and lead a tax business.

Selective Admission

We are not looking for everybody.

We are looking for people who are coachable, professional, consistent and willing to meet the standards required to work with taxpayers. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.

The goal is not to collect as many students as possible. The goal is to develop tax professionals who are ready to represent the standard.

Complete EZ Tax Academy trainingLearn the process, complete required coursework and demonstrate readiness through the academy's certification process.
Participate in weekly mandatory meetingsTraining does not stop when the modules end. Continued development and accountability are part of the program.
Obtain your PTINPaid federal tax return preparers must have a valid IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number.
Maintain required E&O coverageProof of the program's required professional liability coverage must be completed before activation.
January 2 readiness deadlineTo be activated for the upcoming filing season, accepted preparers must complete certification, PTIN and required E&O requirements by January 2, 2027.
Your Investment

$149 to enter the Academy. One client can help you earn it back.

Your $149 enrollment investment gives you access to the EZ Tax Academy pathway and the training structure designed to help you get prepared for the industry. This is an investment in learning a professional skill, not a promise of income.

Academy Enrollment
$149
One time enrollment investment

Complete the training, meet the program requirements and prepare yourself to begin serving tax clients.

The 120 Day Challenge

Your first goal: recoup your $149 investment with one paying client.

Instead of looking at $149 as just another expense, we want you to look at what the skill can become. Your challenge is to complete your requirements, begin building your client base and work toward serving at least one paying tax client within your first 120 days.

Days 1 to 30
Learn, train and understand the foundation.
Days 31 to 90
Complete readiness requirements and start building your network.
By Day 120
Work toward serving your first paying client and recouping the enrollment investment.

Important: Client acquisition, fees, compensation and timing vary. One client may be sufficient to offset the $149 enrollment cost depending on the fees and compensation applicable to that return, but results are not guaranteed.

Your Growth Path

Start as a student. Build toward ownership.

Your first role does not have to be your final role. The pathway is designed so serious preparers can keep developing instead of constantly searching for a new mentor or company every time they reach another level.

STAGE 1

Academy Candidate

Learn the fundamentals, complete training and demonstrate professionalism and coachability.

STAGE 2

Certified & Ready

Complete academy requirements, obtain the required PTIN and E&O coverage, and pass readiness review.

STAGE 3

Junior Tax Preparer

Begin preparing under the program structure while continuing weekly training and development.

STAGE 4

Senior Tax Preparer

Advance through demonstrated accuracy, production, professionalism, compliance and consistency.

STAGE 5

Leadership

Develop the ability to support others, build a book of business and operate with greater responsibility.

STAGE 6

Ownership Path

Qualified professionals can pursue ERO and business ownership opportunities within the broader ecosystem.

Why Stay and Grow

A place to learn now and scale later.

Weekly Pay

Active preparers can operate on the program's weekly pay schedule, subject to program terms and completed work.

Monthly Bonus Opportunities

Eligible preparers may qualify for monthly performance incentives based on applicable program criteria. Bonuses are not guaranteed.

Transparency

Understand expectations, development standards and the next level you are working toward instead of guessing where you stand.

Ongoing Mentorship

The goal is to give you room to develop from beginner through more advanced roles without having to restart your support system every season.

One of your first professional steps: your PTIN

The IRS requires anyone who prepares or substantially assists in preparing federal tax returns for compensation to have a valid PTIN. PTINs renew annually. The currently published fee for a 2026 PTIN is $18.75. Verify the applicable fee for the year you apply.

$18.75CURRENT PUBLISHED 2026 PTIN FEE
Path to Ownership

How do you qualify to move up?

Advancement is earned. The academy can teach the skill, but long term growth requires professional habits and consistent execution.

01Training

Complete required education, exercises, mock returns and certification milestones.

02Compliance

Maintain required tax preparer credentials, documentation, E&O coverage and program standards.

03Accuracy

Demonstrate quality work, documentation discipline and responsible return preparation.

04Consistency

Attend required meetings, communicate, meet deadlines and follow operating procedures.

05Production

Build your client base and demonstrate the ability to responsibly grow your book of business.

06Leadership

Show that you can support a team, protect the client experience and uphold standards.

07Business Readiness

Develop the operational knowledge needed to move from preparer thinking to owner thinking.

08Final Review

Ownership opportunities are subject to qualification, review, applicable agreements and approval.

You can stay where you are, or learn what your next level requires.

Apply to EZ Tax Academy. Entry is selective, and acceptance is based on readiness, professionalism and your willingness to complete the requirements.

Apply to EZ Tax Academy
EZ Tax Academy

A training and career development pathway within the EZ FILE NOW ecosystem.