Training and Mentorship to Help You Offer Tax Resolution Services
There are millions of people with tax problems but not enough professionals to help them. If you're looking for a way to expand your firm and be busier outside of tax season, you may want to offer tax resolution services.
Tax resolution services include all of the services that people turn to when they have tax problems such as unpaid taxes, unfiled returns, unreported income, audits, collection actions, and more. Although these services are highly in demand, many tax pros don't offer them, and clients are stuck reaching out to big firms that lack expertise and often put profits in front of clients.
By adding tax resolution services to your offerings, you can expand your firm so that you're busy all year long while bringing in highly profitable cases. You can also rest assured that you're providing a needed service in a high-quality and ethical way. But to get started you need the right training, and perhaps more importantly, you need a mentor you can reach out to when you've got a complicated case in front of you.
To help you get started, this pro guide looks at training courses, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities that can help.
- Tax Rep Network
- American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
- Tax Mentor
- Pro Tax Education
- Tax Resolution Institute
- Roz Strategies
- Tax Resolution Academy
- Executive Touch from Angel Financial Services
- Landmark Tax Group
- Other Options for Continuing Professional Education
Tax Rep Network
Founder: Eric Green, Attorney
Mission: Help tax pros build million-dollar IRS representation practices through training, tools, and technology.
The Tax Rep Network offers training to tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents so that they can become Certified Tax Representation Consultants (CTRC). Once certified, tax pros can join a network of over 450 members which includes access to educational materials, on-demand training videos, conferences, and more. Take a look at the CTRC program and the different levels of TRN membership.
Certified Tax Resolution Consultant
The CTRC program includes 20 hours of on-demand training on audits, collections, offers in compromise, innocent spouse relief, and payroll tax problems. Each training module includes sample letters, checklists, and forms that you can use for your practice. You also learn how to market your services to bring in more clients.
Gold TRN Membership
At the gold level, members receive six ebooks and print books on tax representation, registration for the IRS Representation Conference (webinar tickets only, after in-person opportunities are sold out), 160+ hours of on-demand tax resolution training, 40+ hours of on-demand marketing training, live monthly case study webinars, live monthly Q&A sessions, monthly marketing webinars, and practice building challenges.
You also get access to a member's forum as well as downloadable forms, letters, and checklists to use in your practice. As of 2024, membership costs $399/month
Platinum TRN Membership
The Platinum TRN Membership includes all of the elements of the Gold membership and more. Members also get to join a monthly Platinum Group roundtable event and attend the Platinum Members Dinner at the Tax Rep Summit. Additional benefits include a marketing makeover and a tech transformation for your practice. As of 2024, this plan costs $15,000 per year.
TRN Legal Annual Membership
The TRN Legal membership includes coaching and support for lawyers who want to grow their practices by handling tax resolution cases. As of 2024, membership is $950 per month or $9950 per year. Members receive 170 hours of training, 40 hours of marketing training, 300+ letters, checklists, and forms, unlimited access to help desk consults, live conferences, and live monthly Q&A sessions.
TRN Legal members also receive exposure in three monthly email blasts to thousands of accountants, three lead magnets for marketing, and free access to Tax Help Software.
Check out TRN's testimonial page to see how this training and membership have helped other tax pros build their practices.
American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
Founders: Lawrence M. Lawler, CPA, EA, CTRS, and John J. Witkowski, CPA, CTRS
Mission: To address the need for IRS tax problem resolution training and mentoring through conferences, case support, continuing education, and community.
The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to provide certification opportunities, education, and support to professionals who want to focus on tax problem resolution. The group offers support for tax pros at every stage of their career from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Take a look at the benefits of membership and the educational, coaching, and certification programs offered by ASTPS.
Premium Membership
Membership in the ASTPS provides you with a custom training development plan so that you are on track to meet your professional goals as a tax resolution specialist. Annually, membership includes six 20-minute phone consultations with a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, monthly group coaching calls where you hear experts work through complicated tax problems, 12 continuing education webinars, 40+ courses in the webinar library, and access to private Facebook groups where you can post questions and get answers. As of 2024, premium membership is only $400 per year and includes a 15% discount on conferences.
Tax Resolution Accelerator
The Tax Resolution Accelerator is a training program designed for people who want to launch a tax resolution career. Offered in several different cohorts throughout the year, it includes 27 hours of tax resolution training with like-minded professionals, hands-on field training exercises, unlimited Q&A, and networking opportunities. You also get access to recordings of the training session for three months as well as sample forms and templates to use in your practice.
As of 2024, the cost for in-person or virtual attendance is $1272.45 for premium members, $1422.15 for standard members, and $1497 for non-members. It's just 748.50 for previous attendees.
Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS)
The CTRS certification is for attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents who want to go through rigorous training and education to elevate their expertise and distinguish themselves as leaders in their field. You must complete ASTP's Accelerator course before you can start this program.
To become certified, applicants must complete continuing education courses, have the equivalent of at least one year of full-time experience with tax resolution cases, and pass a two-part exam. This program is being updated and relaunched in the summer of 2024.
Tax Resolution Practice Builders (TRPB)
The TRPB is a coaching program for tax pros who have completed the Accelerator program. It provides advanced training focused on building tax resolution skills and expanding your business. Membership also includes case support and access to a community of tax pros. The group has two monthly meetings: a two-hour training and support session and a one-hour marketing training.
You can also access 12 hours of continuing education credits per year and watch videos of old training sessions for free. In between training sessions, you can submit quick questions to ASTPS experts through email and get a response within 48 hours. As of 2024, membership is $197 per month and requires an initial 12-month commitment ($2364) and you get a free ASTPS Premium membership when you join the practice builders.
Practice Management Mastermind
Limited to just 20 tax practitioners, the Practice Management Mastermind (PMM) group provides members with answers to questions and support to help them make the best decisions for their practice. Members have a two-hour Zoom meeting or a two-day in-person meeting monthly. To maintain competitiveness, the group doesn't accept new members from similar geographic areas as existing members. As of 2024, membership is $497 per month with no contracts or up-front commitments.
Check out over 700 testimonials from tax pros who've attended ASTPS events and enjoyed the perks of membership.
Tax Mentor
Founder: Roger Nemeth, EA, 2015 NTPI FELLOW
Mission: To provide the tools and education tax pros need to put their clients on the best path forward.
Launched by the creators of Tax Help Software, Tax Mentor offers courses taught by tax pros with hands-on experience. Continuing education courses focus on how to effectively represent your clients. The organization also provides a case consultation tool that you can use to diagnose taxpayer issues quickly so that you can start negotiating with the IRS and feel confident that you're on the right track. Take a look at the benefits of membership.
Tax Mentor Membership
Membership includes two consultations per month for individual accounts, one consultation per quarter for business accounts, and a semi-monthly Q&A session with an experienced tax pro. You also get access to free CPE courses. As of 2024, membership is $997 if paid annually or $297 per quarter. If desired, members can purchase additional consultations.
Check out testimonials from tax pros who have worked with Tax Mentor.
Pro Tax Education
Founder: Tyrone J Taylor, EA
Mission: Empower tax professionals when dealing with the IRS by providing affordable and effective tax education to tax pros who help taxpayers with IRS tax problems.
Pro Tax Education offers 10 courses to help tax pros learn how to help clients with IRS tax problems. It also has a Q&A membership option and a mentorship program. Here are the details.
Courses
Pro Tax Education offers a free introductory course on IRS representation for tax professionals. The organization also offers courses on audits, dealing with IRS revenue officers/agents, IRS account analysis, appeals, audits, and more. As of 2024, each course costs $129 or $179, but if you bundle all eight together, the fee is just $361.
Tax Pro Mentor Q&A
During the Q&A webinars, you get answers to your questions that include a reference to the IRS publication, Internal Revenue Manual, or Internal Revenue Code. You also get phone and email consultations. The cost is $300 for four weeks of unlimited questions or $249 for a three-month renewable subscription which also includes unlimited questions.
Mentorship
The mentorship program gives you unlimited mentoring of three IRS and/or state representation cases. To access this program, you must first complete Pro Education courses or NAEA NTPI courses (explained above). As of 2024, the cost is $1500, and it includes 12 months of free access to the Q&A board.
Tax Resolution Institute
Founder: Peter Y Stephan, CPA
Mission: To teach CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax attorneys how to solve their clients' tax problems and become a trusted advisor.
The Tax Resolution Institute offers continuing education courses on tax resolution topics such as appeals, audits, offers in compromise, installment agreements, etc. The group also offers courses to help you build your practice and grow your knowledge on topics such as marketing, business development, cost segregation, bonus depreciation, R&D tax incentives, and more.
TRI also offers a VIP membership program where you can consult with experts, look at case studies, and get feedback on your documents. As of 2024, TRI is suspending services for all new members. Historically, membership was $90/month.
Check out testimonials from people who've taken courses through TRI.
Roz Strategies
Founder: Michael Rozbruch, CPA and Certified Tax Resolution Specialist
Mission: To help tax professionals build highly profitable firms through marketing systems and training about how to close deals and manage client relationships while running a niche tax resolution practice.
As of 2024, membership levels include gold for $297/month, diamond for $497/month, and founder and platinum levels at custom prices. The gold membership includes the "quick start to $10,000" program, an easy template library, a monthly training webinar, a 60-minute Q&A call, newsletters, and monthly info packages,
At the next level, you get all of that plus social media tools, a tax resolution mini website, a teleconference call about success, and technical case support. The founder level starts with those elements but also includes four immersion days, four hot seat Zoom calls, two open call-in days, two private calls, and access to a private Facebook group for masterminds. At the platinum level, you also get three in-person mastermind meetings in Los Angeles, six private consultation calls, two complimentary tickets to the success summit, and critiques of your marketing copy.
Tax Resolution Academy
Founder: Dan Henn, CPA, CTR™
Mission: To create a digital community for taxpayer representatives who want to grow their firms while providing the best possible representation to their clients.
The Tax Resolution Academy is the creator of the Certified Taxpayer Representative™ (CTR™), and it offers the courses you need to earn this designation. As of 2024, the academy offers two levels of membership: Champions at $299.99 per month and Titans for $499.99 per month. You receive the following benefits with both levels of membership:
- Weekly tax resolution office hours calls
- Up to 120 hours per year of live and on-demand CPE webinars
- Technical guidance for case work
- Marketing materials library
- Tax resolution video vault and bonus courses
At the Titan level, you also get additional marketing materials including blog posts, follow-up emails, social media posts, and a client prospect newsletter.
The Executive Touch From Angel Financial Services
Founder: Angie Toney (CPA/PFS, CTS)
Mission: To help tax pros learn how to create effective representation, impeccable tax plans, and happy clients.
As of 2024, Entry Level is $97 per month, Senior Management Level is $497 per month, and C-suite Level is $997 per month. Membership includes access to the online portal, on-demand online learning, an interactive community forum, and a full course catalog. At the Senior Level, you also get live office hours where Angie answers your questions and monthly group calls. The C-suite level of membership adds 10 one-on-one calls with Angie for personalized support and tickets to all live events, workshops, and retreats.
Landmark Tax Group
Founder: Michael Raanan, MBA, EA - Enrolled Agent
Mission: To offer help to people with tax problems and guidance to tax pros who want to get into the tax resolution industry.
The Landmark Tax Group provides IRS representation services as well as training for tax professionals. The organization offers three different levels of guidance. For $397 per hour with an hour minimum, you can access expert guidance on one collection case over a phone or video call, through two emails, and a review of two IRS notices. The Silver and Gold Levels are $1997 and $2997 per month respectively, and they also offer guidance on collection cases, customizable templates, special training reports, and tools for marketing and advertising.
Continuing Professional Education Courses
In addition to the above organizations that offer CPE courses, you can also take continuing education from the following organizations:
Learn More About Becoming a Tax Resolution Pro
To learn more about getting into this industry or growing your practice if you're already handling resolution cases, reach out to TaxCure today to talk about the TaxCure Pro Membership. Or check out these additional posts on tax resolution software and how to consistently acquire new clients.