Start preparing. Run your own office. Sell software. Lead a network. Four tiers meet you where you are—with Rasheeda helping you understand what comes next.
You are choosing your role, software access and level of support—not just a bigger box. Read the quick fit below, open the details that matter to you and select Start Now when you are ready.
Demo Checkout Is Open · No Money Collected · Prices Shown Are Enrollment Entry Prices
TIER 1 / PREPARER
Tier 1 — Foundation
Optimized ForBeginning Tax Preparers
PTIN Required · Work Through Your Assigned Filing Office
Get professional tax software, learn the workflow and have each return reviewed before it is sent to the IRS. Foundation is the starting point for a preparer who wants support while building experience.
Tax software access and step-by-step software training
Return review before IRS submission
Client intake forms and bank-enrollment guidance
Cima starter lessons and an assigned support contact
How The Package Works +
70/30 Preparation-Fee Split
You receive 70% of collected preparation fees under the Foundation arrangement. Separate operating and transaction costs still apply.
Review your package scope, renewal and activity-based fees with the enrollment documents. Software activation follows completed setup.
Read More About Tier 1 +
You Are Starting With A PTIN
You want to work with tax clients and develop your preparation skills with review support. An assigned filing office handles the EFIN-based filing arrangement.
Your First Client Workflow
Collect the client’s records, prepare in your assigned software, resolve questions with the reviewer and follow the office’s signature and filing steps. Each return is reviewed before submission.
What To Learn First
Start with the Cima course to understand intake and the filing sequence. Then use your assigned software instruction and tax-education resources before preparing live client work.
Prepare returns through your own office, manage your client workflow and retain your preparation fees. This package combines software access with training and support for an EFIN-based practice.
Tax software access and software orientation
Independent return preparation through your own office
ERO support portal and technical assistance
Bank-enrollment guidance and original Cima office-start lessons
How The Package Works +
Keep 100% Of Your Preparation Fees
No preparation-fee revenue split. Your software, bank and other applicable operating charges remain separate.
Review your package scope, renewal and activity-based fees with the enrollment documents. Software activation follows completed setup.
Read More About Tier 2 +
You Are Operating Your Own Office
You already prepare taxes and have, or are completing, your PTIN and EFIN setup. Your office manages its client work and return-review process.
Your Daily Office Workflow
Organize intake, assign work to preparers, review completed files and monitor federal and state acknowledgments. Use the ERO support portal for software assistance.
What To Prepare For Setup
Have your business details, preparer information and EFIN readiness available. Rasheeda will direct you to the secure setup process and your provider orientation.
Optimized ForTax Software Sellers And Team Builders
PTIN And EFIN Required
Help new preparers and office owners select the right package, then guide them into enrollment. Reseller combines tax-software access with the training and support needed to build a software-sales practice.
Tax software access, software training and ERO support
Resell the Foundation and Independent Practice packages
Partner enrollment and team-development guidance
Service-bureau-fee participation defined in your reseller schedule
How The Package Works +
Preparation Fees Plus Reseller Opportunity
Retain your preparation fees and earn the reseller compensation specified in your enrollment schedule. The schedule identifies the qualifying activity, calculation and payment timing.
Review your package scope, renewal and activity-based fees with the enrollment documents. Software activation follows completed setup.
Read More About Tier 3 +
You Want To Sell The Right Package To The Right Person
You understand the preparer and office roles and want to build a software-sales business. Your work includes explaining the offer, guiding enrollment and following up with partners.
Your First Partner Workflow
Identify the prospect’s experience and EFIN situation, compare Tier 1 and Tier 2, explain the actual price and fees, and route them into enrollment. Track the setup handoff instead of promising immediate access.
How Your Earnings Are Tracked
Your reseller schedule defines the service-bureau-fee share and qualifying activity. Software sales and return-related compensation are different entries; keep both visible in your business records.
Optimized ForTax Professionals Building An Office Network
PTIN And EFIN Required
Build a service-bureau business that helps tax professionals get set up, learn the software and keep their offices moving. Lead the relationship while the provider infrastructure supports software and technical operations.
Professional software, setup and ERO support
Partner onboarding and office-support coordination
Software, team-building and business-development training
Network fee configuration within your service-bureau agreement
How The Package Works +
Build Revenue Across Your Network
Preparation and permitted network fees follow your bureau fee schedule. Your agreement identifies which fees you retain, applicable limits and provider charges.
Review your package scope, renewal and activity-based fees with the enrollment documents. Software activation follows completed setup.
Read More About Tier 4 +
You Are Ready To Lead And Support Offices
You want to coordinate a network of preparers, EROs and offices. The bureau role includes partner setup, training coordination, support and fee administration.
Your Network Workflow
Guide offices through enrollment and setup, organize training, handle first-line partner questions and escalate technical issues through the bureau support route. Review activity and partner needs regularly.
How The Business Model Works
Network volume and the permitted fee schedule drive the economics. Identify the software cost, service-bureau fee, transmitter allocation and any partner payout before calculating your margin. Your bureau agreement sets those arrangements.
Preparation-fee shares are separate from software, transaction, bank and operating charges. Read your enrollment fee schedule for the complete cost.
THE SOFTWARE, EXPLAINED
What The Tools Do For Your Office.
1040 + State Returns
Prepare federal individual income-tax returns and use the included state programs for clients with state filing needs. The software supports the preparation work; your training helps you enter and review the right information.
A Paperless Filing Cabinet
Keep return documents organized digitally so your office can retrieve records without relying on loose papers and scattered folders.
Prior-Year Software Archives
The supplied package includes 2022–2025 software archives. Use the appropriate year for earlier returns; archive access and current e-filing availability are different things.
Bank-Product Enrollment
Get help setting up available bank products. Eligible clients may choose refund-based payment options or apply for an available refund advance. The bank sets its charges and approval terms.
Software Setup & Support
Get connected to your software, learn the workflow and use the ERO support system for account updates, software questions and technical issues. Cima helps you find the right next step.
Business-Return Access
Need to prepare entity returns as well as individual returns? Request the TaxSlayer business-software option during setup and identify the return types your office needs.
Software Setup Details
The core offering above follows Cima’s supplied 2026 software agreement. Your setup record identifies the assigned product edition, tax year and office access. The agreement specifies Windows compatibility. Confirm the edition and device requirements before purchasing equipment; business-return access is a separate setup request.
FROM YOUR ORDER TO YOUR FIRST LOGIN
Four Steps. One Clear Next Move.
1. Choose Your Package
Select the role that matches your experience. Start Now takes you directly into checkout. The current demonstration collects no money.
2. Open Your Cima Desk
Your account holds the order, document steps and learning. Begin the original Cima starter course while setup moves forward.
3. Complete Your Setup
Provide the requested business and credential details through the secure setup process. Rasheeda coordinates your filing arrangement, software and provider training.
4. Practice, Then Serve
Use your assigned software login and provider lessons. Rehearse the workflow with training data, then follow your office’s client-review and filing process.
Fees, Activation & Refunds
The displayed amount is the enrollment entry price. Your package documents identify required training, renewal, transaction and bank charges. If Cima cannot approve or activate the package, the enrollment payment is refunded in full. Read The Package Terms.
READ MORE. KNOW MORE.
Your Questions, Answered Clearly.
I’m Brand New. Which Tier Should I Choose?
Tier 1 — Foundation is the guided starting point. It includes software access and return review. Begin the free starter course to understand the work before deciding.
Do I Need My Own EFIN For Tier 1?
Tier 1 uses an assigned filing-office arrangement. You need your paid-preparer PTIN; you are not buying or borrowing an EFIN. Tiers 2–4 require a PTIN and EFIN.
Is Cima Tax Academy The Tax Software?
No. The Academy teaches the workflow. My Cima Desk holds your enrollment and progress. Your assigned tax software is where you prepare returns. Rasheeda connects you to that software after setup.
What Does “Keep 100% Of Preparation Fees” Mean?
It means no preparation-fee revenue split for that package. It does not mean zero expenses. Software, bank-product, transaction and business costs are separate.
Can I Prepare Business Returns?
Request the TaxSlayer business-return software option during setup. Tell Cima which entity return types you need so your access and training can match your work.
Can I Move To Another Tier Later?
Yes, you can discuss moving from preparing to running an office, reselling or leading a bureau. Cima reviews the new role, setup and price with you; an upgrade is not automatically charged.
Where Do I Get Marketing, Branding Or A Website?
Tax Branding Pro is the specialist for tax-office marketing, business branding, websites and business systems. These are separate services. Join The Tax Branding Pro Interest List ↗.
Where Are The Fees And Agreements?
Your enrollment documents explain the package scope, fee schedule, activation and refund terms. Read And Download The Documents ↗. Live signing and payment collection are still being prepared; the current checkout is a no-charge demonstration.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose Your Next Step.
Know which package fits? Start online. Still deciding? The free Cima starter course explains the roles, tools and everyday workflow before you choose.
Start with free orientation. Then compare your written offer against your own workload and budget. Use estimates below; this is a planning exercise, not a quote or earnings forecast. Nothing entered here is sent or saved.
Use expected collected revenue after any agreed share, and include all relevant costs. The result excludes any costs you leave out and does not account for income taxes. Bank products are optional and depend on eligibility; they are not a prerequisite for this exercise.
You don’t have to know the vocabulary to belong here. Tap a term for a quick explanation, then ask us how it applies to you.
Service bureau+
A business relationship that may combine access to tax software with onboarding, training, and support for other tax offices. The exact services, fees, and responsibilities depend on the written agreement. It is not, by itself, an IRS professional credential.
Reseller+
A business that offers another company’s software under an authorized sales arrangement. Ask who supplies the software, who provides support, and which fees or restrictions apply.
Onboarding+
The steps that get you ready to begin: reviewing your agreement, completing required account information, receiving approved access, and learning the workflow. An inquiry alone does not enroll you.
ERO+
Electronic Return Originator: an authorized IRS e-file provider that starts the electronic submission of a tax return. This describes an e-file role, not a promise of tax expertise. Read the IRS definition ↗
PTIN & EFIN+
A PTIN identifies an individual paid tax return preparer. An EFIN identifies an approved IRS e-file provider. They serve different purposes; having a PTIN does not itself authorize an office to e-file. Compare them at the IRS ↗
Professional tax software+
Tools used to prepare and manage tax returns. Available features, supported returns, licensing, training, and support vary by product and package. Ask for a demonstration and written terms for the specific offer.
A quick guide, not personalized tax advice. Program details are defined in your agreement.
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