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At RocketCert, we understand the importance of business when it comes to tax professionals. That is why we offer so many resources to people who are working or who are striving to work in the tax preparation industry. This industry is filled with entrepreneurs, with 37% of tax prep businesses being run by one person alone. That’s a lot!

These people are very driven and hardworking, so we want to cut them a break. We will offer tax professionals a breakdown of requirements to retrieve a license in the tax preparation industry on a state by state basis. This eliminates a lot of the headache of getting started in your career, and it, therefore, gives aspiring professionals a competitive advantage in the industry. Here is an example of the state-specific information we provide for tax professionals in the state of Maryland.

In the state of Maryland, an aspiring tax professional must best at least 18 years old and maintain a high school degree or equivalent. Also, they must possess a PTIN which is short for Federal Preparer Tax Identification Number. This documentation will need to be kept up to date and submitted to the state’s board at the start of each tax year.

There is an exam that will need to be passed in order to complete your licensure and certification as a tax preparer in Maryland. The official title of the exam is the Maryland Registered Tax Return Preparer Examination. You will be required to pay a fee of $65 dollars before taking the exam. You can find everything you need to know about paying for this exam on the PSI Exams Online website. The questions on this exam will be based on the 2018 Federal and Maryland Tax Rules. In order to pass and continue the licensing process, you will need to score at least 70% on this exam. In some good news, you are exempt from taking this exam if you are a CPA with an active license, an attorney, or an enrolled agent with the IRS. Of course, you have to be practicing these positions within the state of Maryland in order for the exemption to apply.

Once you pass, you will get registered with the State Board of Maryland to receive your official license and certification. You will need to pay a fee of $100 for registration, and you will also pay this bi-annually to keep your registration active.

If you are an aspiring tax professional, we are here to make the process of achieving your dreams a breeze. Visit our website for more information about the tools we offer professionals across all industries.