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Self-Study Courses

1040 Preparation and Planning 1: Fundamentals (2026)

2 CPE Credits $38.00/credit hour
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.9 (32 ratings)
Per the IRS Education Provider Standards this course must be COMPLETED by 12/31/2028 to receive credits. NOTE: Go to My Professional Profile in your CCH CPELink account settings to ensure your name, and PTIN number; matches your PTIN card

This two-hour course, the first in the 1040 Preparation and Planning series, provides an overview of Form 1040 and 1040-SR, including the different sections of the forms and major schedules. It also covers in general, gross income, exclusions, tax liability, tax credits, and tax payments.

Tax developments reflected in this course include the extensive changes effective for 2025 that were created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) and other tax legislation, as well as IRS pronouncements, and court decisions. They impact 2025 tax year returns that will be filed during the 2026 filing season and refund opportunities for earlier, open years; as well as point the way to strategic planning in 2026 and beyond. This course brings the tax preparer "up-to-speed" in preparing 2025 tax returns for the 2026 filing season.

Publication Date: September 2025

Topics Covered

  • Basic income tax structure and parts of income tax return
  • Filing requirements
  • Payment options for taxes owed
  • Tax year and accounting methods

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the basic federal income tax structure
  • Identify who is required to file a return
  • Describe the basic parts of the income tax return and major schedules
  • Explain the difference between deductions and tax credits
  • Describe payment options for taxes owed
  • Describe the concepts of tax year and accounting method

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Taxes (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None

Instructors

Greg White

Greg White, CPA, taught for 14 years as an adjunct professor for Golden Gate University. He’s admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. He is a founder and shareholder, in WGN PS in Seattle, WA. He has been named a Top 50 IRS Representation Practitioner in the U.S. by CPA Magazine and has taught for a number of professional organizations. Greg enjoys the technical side of tax, but also likes to have fun in class.

Barbara Weltman

Barbara Weltman, JD, has written extensively on a wide variety of tax, small business, and financial planning matters for both professionals and the general public. The Wall Street Journal called her “the guru of small business taxes.” She is the author of a number of self-study programs for CCH. She is publisher of Big Ideas for Small Business® and Idea of the Day® found at www.BigIdeasForSmallBusiness.com and is a guest blogger for the SCORE and many other sites. Ms. Weltman is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.
$76.00 / 2 CPE
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