FAQs

Live Course

TaxMama’s® Live Course takes place online using flash based conferencing software from HotConference. Please take a minute to check that your computer has the minimum requirements to ensure a hassle free experience – Mac owners should have no problem.

Note: If you plan to pass the EA Exam, you will have to demonstrate that you can follow instructions. Ensure that your computer will work with our conference system BEFORE signing up for the class. We will not be wasting precious class time helping you get your system to work!

Use this link to test your computer’s compatibility with the conference system. 
https://taxmama.ilin…systest/xprsxty

If you have a problem, tech support is available
Mon-Fri 8:30am EST-8:30pm EST
http://www.ilinc.com/support

PRACTICE ROOM:
Here is an open room you can use to practice in and play with.
https://taxmama.ilinc.com/join/bxtyrwf

USER GUIDE:
We will be using Internet Audio..

System Requirements

Requirements	Minimum	Recommended
Microprocessor	Pentium III® or compatible	Pentium III® or compatible
Memory	64 MB of RAM	128 MB of RAM
Operating System	Windows 98SE or higher	Windows XP
Screen Resolution	800 x 600	1024 x 768
Internet Connection	20 Kbps Dial-Up	Broadband Cable or DSL
Hard Drive Space	1 MB	2 MB

 

Headsets

The live course is interactive. You will be encouraged to ask and answer questions – just like in a real classroom. Most computers come with microphones and speakers already built in but you MUST have a headset to participate! Desktop mic’s or computer mic’s generate HORRIBLE feedback in the class.

Headsets

Logitech Noise-Canceling PC Headset with Microphone

Cyber Acoustics AC-850 Silver USB Stereo Headset/Microphone with In-line Volume Control

Wireless Headset

Freetalk Wireless Stereo Headset! 

If you don’t have a specific audio card in your computer with a place to plug in the devices, consider getting devices with a USB plug. That way, even if you only have one USB port, you can use a USB hub with 4-7 sockets. They can be relatively cheap – or expensive – up to you. All these are under $26.00

CP TECHNOLOGIES CP-UH-135 4-PORT USB 2.0 Platinum Series Hub with Switching Power

D-Link QuickMedia DUB-H7 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub

You’ll find more USB hubs.

Shipping Policy

All Materials will be shipped within 3 business days, starting after May 5, 2011

All materials are shipped out via USPS Priority Mail, FOB TaxMama’s® location. They should arrive at your location within three days, unless you are off the USPS beaten path, in which case it may take longer. If you do NOT receive your materials within three days, please contact TaxMama’s office IMMEDIATELY for the tracking information.

Note: We will send your package to the shipping address you provide in your registration. It is your responsibility to provide accurate information. If you do not receive the package due to USPS error or your error, it is your responsibility to sort it out with the USPS. We will reship materials – but you will have to pay for them. You may, of course, file a claim with the USPS for delivering the materials to the wrong place. If you tend to have problems receiving mail as a matter of course, let us know and we will provide you with a quote for the additional cost to insure your package – or for other shipment services.

However, if you do not receive your materials because we typed the wrong address into the label – we will reship at our expense.

The EA Exam is split into three different sections, click on the title to see full details:

• Enrolled Agent Examination Topics – Part 1 Individuals (100 items)
• Enrolled Agent Examination Topics – Part 2 Businesses (100 items)
• Enrolled Agent Examination Topics – Part 3 Representation, Practices and Procedures

IRS has outsourced the management of the EA Exam to an independent testing firm called Prometrics. We have created a special page just for you that outlines what you will need to apply for the IRS EA Exam.

TaxMama’s® Guarantee

IF YOU DON’T PASS THE EXAM THE FIRST TIME, COME ON BACK AND TAKE THE NEXT CLASS FREE.

You will only pay for new books and materials – about $150 – $350.

Refund Policy

If you decide to drop out? To get a refund, you must request it within 30 days or 4 scheduled class sessions, whichever come first. Your entire registration will be refunded, less the cost of the books and disks you have received, or software that has been downloaded - $175.00 to $300.00 depending on the class.

There is a minimum cancellation fee of $75.00

(We cannot accept used books and discs.)

So, remember – after 30 days, please don’t ask.

No. This is a review class. It’s for people who already have experience and education when it comes it taxation. If you want an education, go to college. Although, TaxMama’s® Solving the Tax Puzzle sessions do a great job of giving you sound fundamentals in tax law, tax preparation and client management.

Also, it is true, that many people have passed the EA Exam just by taking this class, without any experience or tax education. But they worked their buns off and studied intensely for three or four whole months! We can’t promise that you will pass the first time. But you’ll get one heck of an education – and you’ll learn how to be a great tax professional! And you’ll get three more shots at passing the exam this year. So, odds are, if you do the work, you’ll pass during this testing window which runs from May 1st and closes at the end of the following February.

Again, no guarantees. This is a review class. It’s for people who already have experience AND education when it comes it taxation. Odds are in your favor that you will pass. Why? If you made it through business school recently, you already know how to study. But, if all you did was study to pass exams and not to remember anything, this will be like starting from scratch.

If you haven’t really worked with the forms; and you’re not really familiar with how they look, how they are laid out, or how the numbers flow from one form to another…you’ve got your work cut out for you. But most people with your background pass. Why? They worked their buns off and studied intensely for three or four whole months! We can’t promise that you will pass. But you’ll get one heck of an education – and you’ll learn how to be a great tax professional!

No. There is no insurance. Ever. You know how to do tax returns, probably correctly. But you’ve been using tax software and haven’t had to fill in a form by hand for years. You’ve relied on the software to flow the numbers from one form to the other. Do you even know how to compute AMT or Passive Losses on your own? Do you know what a Sec. 1245 asset is? Can you define ‘basis’?

You may have experience, but chances are, you don’t know the fundamentals, or the code sections. You’re going to have to learn a great deal, especially if you’ve never had formal accounting or formal bookkeeping training.

But, yes, you have a great shot. Study. Study with a buddy. Do the homework. Run the quizzes. Use the hypnosis tools. Trust your first instincts… Do all that? And yes, I guarantee that you’ll pass. Practically everyone who follows TaxMama’s® instructions and does all the work – passes And they worked their buns off and studied intensely for three whole months!

Once you pass the first exam, you have two years to finish taking all three parts.

For instance, if you pass Part 1 on May 22, 2011, you have until May 21, 2013 to pass Part 2 and Part 3.