Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS)

Certification issued and maintained by

American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS)

Continuing Education Requirements for CTRS

None.

In years past, 16 hours of CPE was required to maintain the ASTPS membership.  Currently, there is no CPE requirement. Tax professionals must just maintain their professional credential (CPA, EA, Attorney), and these credentials each require CPE to maintain. The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) does not require any additional CPE to maintain membership.

The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers requires that members have one or more of the following professional designations:

  • Enrolled Agents (EA)
  • Certified Public Accounants (CPA)
  • Attorney

For individuals who do not have one the above designations, ASTPS also offers an Associate Membership for non-licensed agents.

CPE Requirements for ASTPS membership

To maintain your ASTPS membership, you must maintain your professional designation.  Any specific CPE requirement is just related to maintaining the EA, CPA or Attorney designation.  ASTPS has no additional CPE requirements.

Individuals in the Associate Membership category do not have any CPE requirements currently.

    All FunCPE tax and ethics courses qualify for EA CPE credit

    CPAs in most states also can receive credit for our courses.

    FunCPE courses are valid for the renewal of your EA or for CPAs in most states. 

    We welcome Certified Tax Resolution Specialists to our site and would like to serve your needs better. Please contact us with any suggestions for new course topics for CTRS needs specifically.

    How to become a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist

    Applicants must:

    • be an EA, CPA or attorney,
    • complete a minimum of 16 hours of continuing professional education covering any form of tax problem resolution in the two years prior to applying,
    • have one year of professional experience directly or indirectly related to the resolution of tax problems,
    • pass the uniform CTRS exam and
    • be a member of ASTPS

    The 16 hours of CPE must be completed prior to sitting for the CTRS exam.  Note that the 16 hours of CPE must cover tax resolution and cannot be general tax preparation courses.

      The CTRS exam consists of 150 questions, plus a case problem requiring preparation of a case for resolution.  The exam is a take home open book exam, and you have 30 days to complete it.

      Candidates for certification must also agree to abide by the Bylaws and Code of Professional Ethics of the ASTPS.

      CPE and experience requirement for CTRS

      The CPE and experience requirement should concern the following types of actions:

      • Offer in Compromise
      • Installment Agreements
      • Penalty Abatement
      • Trust Fund Recovery Penalty
      • Employment tax Cases
      • Taxpayer Advocate Assistance
      • Currently Non Collectible
      • Tax Abated in Bankruptcy
      • CDP Hearing
      • CAP Hearing
      • Audit Appeal
      • Innocent Spouse
      • Penalty Abatement
      • 4180 interviews
      • Lien Withdrawal
      • Levy Release

      Currently, FunCPE does not have any courses covering these topics.  Our courses primarily concern tax preparation, which is valid for CPE for renewal of an EA or CPA license.

      American Society of Tax Problem Solver membership

      The ASTPS mission is to help members provide taxpayers with competent representation before the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. They offer two membership levels:

      • Standard membership–available to attoneys, CPAs and Enrolled Agents
      • Associate membership–available to non-licensed professionals

      Both membership levels have the same initiation fee and annual dues, as well as the same benefits except that associate members cannot become certified. ASTPS also offers a free membership trial for 10 days.