Free Online Income Tax Preparation Courses & Certificates

Updated on 9/16/2025

Taxes are fundamental to our economy - they are also notoriously challenging to navigate. If you are interested in learning more about tax preparation, whether for your personal income tax returns or to advance your career, free online tax courses can be a great resource.

This article explores ten free tax prep classes and answers questions related to course topics, certifications, and more. Continue reading to learn how you can hone your bookkeeping and tax preparation skills by enrolling in online courses.

Are There Free Online Tax Preparation Courses?

Yes, there are free online tax preparation courses. Online education platforms, such as Coursera and Alison, offer free courses. Learners can pursue additional training through more in-depth courses with varying pricing options. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also provides self-paced tax training courses at no cost. The list below highlights ten free tax prep courses from reputable providers.

What Does a Free Tax Preparation Course Cover?

Free tax preparation courses range from beginner to advanced levels. Some courses are relatively short, allowing learners to complete them in three hours or less. Other free courses are more in-depth; learners may take up to six months to complete the coursework. Most basic tax return preparation and bookkeeping courses cover topics such as:

• tax filing requirements
• tax filing status
• dependents
• self-employment
• income
• Social Security
• personal exemptions

Top Free Online Tax Preparation Courses

The following list represents some of the top free income tax courses available online. All courses are self-paced, which means you can complete the coursework according to your schedule.

1. Link & Learn Taxes at the Internal Revenue Service

The IRS provides free tax training and certification for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteers through its online Link & Learn e-learning program. The free program includes six courses for volunteers and a refresher course for returning volunteers. Learners gain skills such as filing basics, income tax classifications, tax credits, and more.

After completing the required coursework, learners take an exam to earn their official certification. Certified graduates can volunteer at local schools, libraries, and community centers.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: 30 hours

2. Tax Level 1 at Intuit Academy

Intuit Academy offers its Tax Level 1 course to people interested in learning how to prepare individual federal tax returns and maximize credits and deductions. The free course consists of 20 modules, a practice test, and a final exam. Learners receive a badge after successfully completing the course.

The Tax Level 1 course covers topics such as gross income, tax liabilities, and military and state tax laws. After completing the course, learners may move on to more advanced courses, such as Tax Preparation and Intuit Bookkeeping Certification. These courses prepare learners to qualify for certain Turbotax roles.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: 18 hours

3. Federal Taxation 1 at Coursera

The University of Illinois (Illinois) offers a free tax course through Coursera's online learning platform. Illinois' Federal Taxation 1: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors is an intermediate-level class and is entirely self-paced. Most learners spend 10 hours a week on coursework, completing the program in three weeks.

Federal Taxation 1 consists of nine modules. Learners gain knowledge in subjects such as tax law, expense management, tax preparation, and business taxes. After successfully completing all nine modules, learners receive a career certificate.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: 30 hours

4. Basics of Statutory Compliance and Taxation at Coursera

Tally Education provides a self-paced Basics of Statutory Compliance and Taxation course through Coursera. This free, intermediate-level course can be completed in five weeks.

Tally Education's course builds on basic bookkeeping skills and hones knowledge in tax concepts. The course consists of four modules, including goods and services tax (GST), tax deducted at source (TDS), and management of business data. Learners receive a career certificate upon course completion.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Five weeks

5. Bookkeeper Professional Certificate at Coursera

Tally Education offers a three-course series designed for individuals pursuing a career in bookkeeping. The course is delivered online, and learners can complete the coursework at their own pace.

The Bookkeeper Professional Certificate course develops knowledge in accounting and finance fundamentals. Leaners hone skills in accounts payable and receivable management, tax preparation, and stock-keeping unit (SKU) maintenance.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Three to six months

6. Income Tax Course at H&R Block

H&R Block offers its IRS-certified Income Tax Course both online and in person. The online course consists of 40 hours and can be completed in 12 weeks or fewer.

The course, taught by H&R Block's Tax Pro instructors, provides hands-on experience through interactive professional tax preparation exercises. It covers subjects such as filing requirements, self-employment income, itemized deductions, and state fundamentals.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Eight to 12 weeks

7. Certified Public Accountant Tax Preparation Tutorial at Udemy

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Tax Preparation tutorial at Udemy is designed for learners interested in learning more about tax preparation from an accounting perspective. The free class explores the basic methodologies of taxes and accounting; it also hones learners' Excel skills.

The tutorial is segmented into nine lectures and covers topics such as tax grouping papers, accounting fundamentals in Excel, and tax grouping for Schedule C.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Three hours

8. Fundamentals of Tax Preparation Course at Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt offers a series of tax preparation courses for individuals interested in advancing their career or enhancing their personal tax prep skills. Jackson Hewitt's Fundamentals of Tax Preparation (FTP) course is available online or in person.

The 30-hour course consists of 12 modules. The FTP course is designed for beginners and develops knowledge in subjects such as filing basics, dependents, earned income tax credit (EITC), and more.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: 30 hours

9. Filing Tax Returns Independently in the U.S. at Alison

Advance Learning provides its Filing Tax Returns Independently in the U.S. course for free through Alison's online education platform. This tax course is designed for individuals looking to enhance their tax return skills and knowledge. The course reviews tax deductions and implications, tax liabilities, effective record-keeping practices, and more. Learners receive an Alison certificate after successfully completing the course.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Four hours

How We Rank Courses

We consider the following criteria when determining which courses to feature:

• Course cost: All courses listed are free.
• Course value: These courses teach valuable skills related to income taxes and tax preparation.
• Course provider reputation: The courses are offered by reputable organizations and education platforms.

How To Become a Tax Preparer for Free

Preparing taxes is an important skill set. Below, we outline the following steps on how to become a tax preparer for free.

• Step 1: Meet basic requirements: You must first pass a suitability check through the IRS. This ensures that your background, like your tax compliance and credit history, aligns with IRS standards.
• Step 2: Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN): After passing your suitability check, you can apply online for your PTIN through the IRS. It is important to check to see if your state has any additional tax preparer requirements.
• Step 3: Take a free online tax course: Enroll in online tax courses to enhance your skills and knowledge in preparing individual and business tax returns.
• Step 4: Get certified: Many online programs offer certificates to learners who successfully complete their courses. Adding these certificates to your resume enhances your professional reputation.
• Step 5: Gain experience: You can gain tax prep experience by volunteering through the IRS's VITA and TCE programs. Through these volunteer programs, you can simultaneously support your community and gain valuable experience.

FAQs About Free Tax Training Courses Online

In this section, we answer frequently asked questions about free tax training courses online, from standard topics covered to certification opportunities.

What Is the Best Way To Learn How To Do Taxes?

The best way to learn how to do taxes depends on your educational background and personal learning style. Many people without a formal education in accounting or finance find online courses to be an effective way to learn tax preparation. Online courses can consist of video lectures, articles, assignments, and exams.

Does Intuit Offer Free Tax Courses?

Yes, Intuit offers free tax courses through Intuit Academy. Tax courses include Tax Level 1, Tax Level 2, Tax Preparation, and Business Tax; these courses range from three to 20 hours in total length. Learners earn a badge once they complete each course. Intuit Academy also has courses on sales and bookkeeping.

What Topics Do Free Tax Preparation Courses Usually Cover?

Free tax preparation courses prepare learners to prepare federal and state tax returns. Tax preparation courses usually cover subjects such as tax forms, taxable and non-taxable income, tax formulas and credits, filing basics, and more. Courses usually teach important tax terminology so that learners become fluent in common acronyms, like the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Do Free Tax Preparation Courses Provide Certification?

Some free tax preparation courses provide certification, while others do not. Some tax preparation courses may offer free courses, but charge a separate fee for taking an exam for official certification. Certifications or badges can be added to your resume to build your professional reputation.

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