Become a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist

The story of our Certification program didn’t come from a board meeting or revenue-generating brainstorming session. It came from our need to refer cases to tax resolution professionals that we trust to get the job done right.

We’ll be honest with you, to get the letters CTRS after your name and join a group of elite tax resolution pros, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops. But as they say, nothing worth having comes easy.

ASTPS certified our first tax professional in 2008, and since then, hundreds of other professionals have taken on the challenge. Will you be next?

This Certification is for you if you don’t settle for mediocracy. If you love to learn, practice, improve, and aren’t afraid of a good challenge. If you like to do what others won’t because you understand that if it were easy everyone would do it.

So the first step is making a bold decision to bet on yourself and choose excellence.

Enrolling in the ASTPS Accelerator Program is a critical step in your journey toward becoming a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist.

This comprehensive, foundational program offers a structured pathway to mastering the complexities of tax resolution, ensuring you gain the specialized knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in this field.

Through a combination of expert-led training sessions, hands-on case studies, and access to a network of seasoned professionals, the Accelerator Program equips you with the tools to navigate even the most challenging tax situations with confidence and competence.

This Accelerator is a four-day live event that occurs only three times per year. It can be attended in person or virtually. Click the button below to save your spot in an upcoming cohort.

Earning the Certified Tax Resolution Specialist designation is a commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and unparalleled service to your clients.

It’s a signal to your peers and clients that you’ve gone above and beyond, mastered the complexities of tax resolution, and stand ready to tackle even the most challenging cases with expertise and confidence.

The CTRS Program contains 15 individual courses that will build on what you learned in the Accelerator program. Each course contains several modules, with a short exam after each module followed by a final exam. Here are the courses that you will take:

1. Managing a Tax Resolution Practice
2. Accessing Information – Transcripts & PPS
3. POA & 8821
4. IRS Notices
5. Offer in Compromise
6. Installment Agreements & CNC
7. Non-Filers
8. Innocent Spouse
9. Liens, Levies, & Alter Egos
10. Hearings & Appeals
11. Statues of Limitations
12. Penalty Abatement
13. TAS & Elevating Cases
14. Employment Taxes and TFRP
15. Audits & Audit Reconsideration

The full CTRS program is a total of 20 hours of training. Once you complete all 15 courses and pass all exams, you will officially become a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist.

Earning the CTRS designation is a commitment of time, energy, effort, and money. If you want to take this journey, make sure you are clear on whether you are eligible and the ongoing requirements.

Educational and license requirements:

• Must be a CPA, EA, or Attorney at the time of applying
• Must have completed the ASTPS Accelerator within the last (3) years

Membership Requirements:

• You must be a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers

Continuing Education:

• You must complete 12 hours of continuing education in tax resolution/IRS representation related topics annually from NASBA or IRS Approved providers

If you have any question or concerns about a program counting you can always email help@astps.org

Here are the requirements necessary to maintain your certification and continue your success as a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist:

Annual Membership or Certification Maintenance Fee:

• You must either remain a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) or pay an annual $200 certification maintenance fee to keep your CTRS designation active.

Continuing Education:

• You are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) annually in tax resolution/IRS representation-related topics. These hours must be from NASBA or IRS-approved providers.

Upholding the High Standards and Prestige of the CTRS Designation:

• By holding the CTRS designation, you commit to upholding the high standards of professionalism and integrity expected of certified tax resolution specialists. Staying engaged in the field is crucial to maintaining this prestigious certification.

Earning the CTRS designation is a commitment of time, energy, effort, and money. If you want to take this journey, make sure you are clear on whether you are eligible and the ongoing requirements.

ASTPS Membership | $400/year

The ASTPS membership provides you with training and support as you run your tax resolution business.

Accelerator Program | $1,272.45*

The ASTPS Accelerator is a hands-on, immersive, program that teaches you the fundamentals of IRS representation. Over 4 days you will go through 33 hours of tax resolution training with a group of like-minded professionals. At the end of the program you will have acquired the skills needed to provide professional IRS representation services to troubled taxpayers.

*Member Price

CTRS Program | $997.00

Expand your knowledge and put your skills to the test! You will go through 20 hours of trainings and exams on your way to becoming a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. Unlike the Accelerator program the CTRS trainings are 100% on demand video. 

Important Note: You do not need to sign up for everything at once. 

For example if you are just starting out and want to become a member of ASTPS + take the Accelerator Program – that is perfectly acceptable. You will have 3 years after the Accelerator to start the Certification process.

The path to becoming a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist is not for everyone. It demands dedication, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to excellence. But for those who choose to embark on this journey, the rewards are unparalleled.

You will not only gain a prestigious designation but also join an elite community of professionals who share your commitment to excellence. You will elevate your practice, enhance your professional standing, and open doors to new opportunities and challenges.

Take the First Step
Are you ready to redefine your expertise and elevate your practice? The ASTPS Accelerator awaits. Begin your journey toward becoming a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist today. Embrace the challenge. Achieve excellence. Transform your practice.

Ready to Go?
If you’ve been to the Accelerator in the last 3 years and are currently a CPA, EA, or Attorney apply now!