CIMA PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Professional software is the beginning. A clear process, continued education, and dependable communication help you put it to work.
FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
These paths begin with a conversation. Package availability, eligibility, fees, and responsibilities are confirmed in your written agreement.
Build your foundation with a clear introduction to the partner process, software access, and educational resources.
Explore a software and support relationship that fits the way your office works.
Discuss the structure behind building and supporting a professional network.
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Your decision should rest on the details that matter to your business.
Confirm the product, tax year, supported returns, office access, and device requirements.
Review setup and renewal charges, applicable transaction fees, splits, and payout conditions.
Know your primary contact, where to request technical help, and how issues are escalated.
Understand agreements, credentials, education, review arrangements, and customer-data obligations.
FROM INTEREST TO ONBOARDING
Discuss your experience, business model, and software requirements.
Confirm eligibility, fees, responsibilities, and the available package before enrollment.
Follow the assigned checklist, receive confirmed access, and attend the required orientation.
Software activation follows the provider’s onboarding process. Payment alone does not confirm access. Current training schedules are provided through your assigned partner contact.
A FEW GOOD QUESTIONS
Your requirements depend on your role. Paid federal return preparers generally need their own PTIN. EFIN applies to authorized e-file providers. We’ll discuss the requirements for the intended arrangement; participation in a program does not replace IRS authorization.
Yes. Request the current package details and full fee schedule before committing. The written agreement should identify upfront and renewal costs, applicable transaction charges, and each party’s responsibilities.
No. Results depend on your customers, production, expenses, skills, and the terms of your agreement. Evaluate the business using realistic costs and activity assumptions.
Start with your assigned Cima contact for onboarding and account questions. Use the provider ticket portal for technical issues. The Partner Resources page organizes those destinations.
LET’S MOVE FORWARD
Let’s discuss your practice and the partnership that fits.
FIND YOUR ROLE
Start with your intended responsibilities, required credentials, training plan and approved filing arrangement.
Explore my next step ↗Discuss your authorized e-file role, office needs, approved software and ERO support route.
Explore my next step ↗Review software scope, team roles, written preparer agreements, equipment and onboarding before choosing an offer.
Explore my next step ↗Explore authorized software distribution and support coordination. Sub-bureau appointments, resale scope and compensation require specific written confirmation.
Explore my next step ↗Tax Office Marketing, Tax Business Branding, Tax Office Website Services and Tax Professional Business Systems: complementary specialist services provided by Tax Branding Pro.
Tax Branding Pro · Coming soon ↗CIMA, DECODED
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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 ↗
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.
