California Tax Preparer Bond
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How Much Does a $5,000 California Tax Preparer Bond Cost?
CTEC tax preparer bonds cost $20 to $27.50 per year, depending on your term length.
- $55 for 2 years of coverage
- $70 for 3 years of coverage
- $80 for four years of coverage
These bonds are issued instantly online with no credit check required, meaning you are pre-approved at a flat rate.
How Do I Buy a Tax Preparer Surety Bond in California?
To get a tax preparer bond, select a term length and provide your name and address to buy your bond securely online in minutes. Once your payment is received, your official bond documents will be delivered to your email.
How Fast Can I Get a CTEC Tax Preparer Surety Bond?
SuretyBonds.com offers instant California registered tax preparer surety bond delivery 24/7. Purchase now and receive your official bond delivered in minutes by email.
What Is a Tax Preparer Bond?
A tax preparer bond is a type of license and permit bond required for a tax professional to become a California Tax Education Council (CTEC) registered tax preparer - also called a CRTP.
By posting a California tax preparer surety bond, tax preparers are legally bound to comply with the provisions of Division 8, Chapter 14 of the Business and Professions Code. Specifically, these bonds protect any person from a principal's misstatements, misrepresentations, dishonesty, fraud, deceit or any other unlawful acts or omissions.
The surety can cancel the bond by giving written notice of cancellation to the principal at least 30 days prior to the effective cancellation date.
How Do CTEC Tax Preparer Bonds Work?
When a CTEC-registered tax preparer maintains this kind of California surety bond, it benefits those damaged by fraud, dishonesty and any other unlawful act.
Who Needs a California Tax Preparer Bond?
California law might require you to purchase a surety bond to protect taxpayers if you work as a professional tax preparer or tax return preparer in the state.
For more information on how to get bonded and become a registered tax preparer in California, watch the video below.
How Do I Become a CTEC-Certified Tax Preparer?
Learn How To Get A California Tax Preparer License by reviewing our comprehensive guide.
To become a certified tax preparer in California, applicants must register with the state and meet the following requirements:
- Take a 60-hour qualifying education course from an approved provider
- Get a $5,000 tax preparer surety bond
- Obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) from the IRS
- Submit an application to the CTEC
How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed and Bonded Tax Preparer?
Becoming a certified California tax preparer typically takes 4–6 weeks, as applicants must provide a certificate of completion of their 60-hour qualifying education course.
Receiving a PTIN may also take 4–6 weeks if the applicant applies with a paper application. However, a PTIN application may also be completed online in about 15 minutes.
Do All Tax Preparers Have to Register With CTEC?
Not all professionals providing tax preparation services in California must register with CTEC, however, tax preparers who meet any of the following criteria must be certified:
- Inactive CPA or a CPA who is not in California and prepares income tax returns
- Employees of a CTEC tax preparer who sign income tax returns
- Nonexempt tax preparer who takes client data regarding income tax and enters it electronically to prepare a return
- Nonexempt tax preparer who receives a fee for bundling services including the preparation of an income tax return
How Do I Renew My CTEC Registration?
CTEC registrations must be renewed annually for as long as you wish to continue charging a fee for tax preparation services in the state of California. To renew, you must:
- Complete at least 20 hours of continuing education from a CTEC-approved provider
- Renew your PTIN number with the IRS
- Maintain a current surety bond, and renew your registration
A $33 registration fee must also be paid by October 31. Fees paid after the 31st will be increased to $55.
Since many surety bonds for tax preparers are issued for multiple years, they only need to be renewed every 2, 3, or 4 years. No matter how many years your California tax preparer bond is in effect, your surety provider will contact you before it expires to give you plenty of time to renew.
Have Questions?
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