Tax education for professionals

Tax education courses are offered under the guidance and expertise of University of Minnesota Extension Educator C. Robert (Rob) Holcomb, EA.

Both one- and two-day courses provide the necessary tools to stay updated on the latest tax legislation and information affecting the current year’s tax returns and beyond.

Extension courses add value to your practice as the curriculum examines taxation topics affecting individual, small business, and farm returns. Classes are designed for certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents (EAs), attorneys, certified financial planners (CFPs), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers, unenrolled preparers, Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) participants, and others.

Appropriate continuing education credits will be awarded, and individual hours will be uploaded to the IRS upon completion of the class.

Email sign-up forms are individual for each course.

Income Tax short course

For tax professionals working with individual and small business returns, including CPAs, enrolled agents, lawyers, VITA volunteers and AFSP participants. 

The Income Tax short course is an annual, two-day course that provides you with the tools to maintain your business and stay up-to-date with the latest tax legislation affecting tax returns for current and future years. The course fee includes the annual National Income Tax Workbook, Minnesota Department of Revenue Individual Income Tax Manual, ethics handouts, and online access to multiple years of tax workbooks in a searchable format.

Course content: Ethics, Federal tax law updates, Federal tax law and related matters and Minnesota tax update

Credits available: 16 IRS hours, 17 CPE hours, 16 CFP credits, 14 CLE hours in MN

Agricultural tax issues

This course is for income tax professionals who work with farmers, but will also benefit agricultural professionals such as agricultural lenders and farm management instructors. The course fee includes the 2025 Agricultural Tax Issues book. This course has been approved for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and continuing legal education (CLE) hours. This course is not approved for insurance credits.

Course content: Federal tax law updates, Federal tax law and related matters

Credits available: 8 IRS hours, 8 CPE hours, 8 CFP credits, 6.5 CLE hours in Minnesota

Early tax careers course

For new tax professionals working with individual and small business returns, including CPAs, enrolled agents, VITA volunteers and AFSP participants. 

This one-day class is designed for individuals new to the tax profession, whether you are a recent college graduate or transitioning into a new career. It focuses on the fundamentals of individual tax preparation. Participants will learn the essentials of Form 1040, including filing requirements, income reporting, and deductions.

The course fee includes the IRS Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Preparation booklet. This class only offers CPE/IRS credits. It does not offer CFP or CLE credits. 

Course content: Federal tax law and related matters

Credits available: 8 IRS hours, 8 CPE hours

Timber management and taxation

The University of Minnesota Extension Timber Management and Taxation School provides tax professionals, foresters, logging contractors, landowners, agricultural lenders, and farm management instructors with up-to-date information on the federal tax treatment of income and expenses associated with timber sales.

The course offers federal tax update hours of CPE credit for tax professionals. Professional foresters will also receive continuing forestry education (CFE) credits from the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the MN DNR Forest Stewardship Program (MN FSP).

Credits available: 3 IRS hours, 3 CPE hours, 4.5 CFE credits

Contact Extension Tax School

• Certificates, credits, or general program questions: 612-625-5923 or [email protected]
• Registration, switching sessions, cancellations, or creating your profile: [email protected]

Extension tax courses are approved by the IRS Registered Preparer Office. The University of Minnesota Extension is an Approved Continuing Education Provider.