CTRS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CTRS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CTRS Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CTRS Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample CTRS Questions & Answers
1. Which IRS publication provides the most comprehensive overview of the IRS collection process for practitioners?
IRS Publication 594 is the primary publication explaining the IRS collection process, including notices, liens, levies, and payment options.
2. Which IRS Collection Information Statement is used for wage earners and self-employed individuals when requesting Currently Not Collectible status?
Form 433-A (Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals) documents the taxpayer's assets, liabilities, income, and expenses needed to evaluate CNC eligibility.
3. What is the non-refundable application fee for submitting an Offer in Compromise as of recent IRS guidance?
The IRS charges a $205 non-refundable application fee for submitting an OIC, though this fee may be waived for low-income taxpayers.
4. What is a 'Certificate of Discharge' and when would a taxpayer seek one?
A Certificate of Discharge under IRC §6325(b) removes the federal tax lien from a specific property, allowing the sale to proceed while the lien attaches to the sale proceeds.
5. What is the difference between a tax lien and a tax levy?
A federal tax lien is a legal claim that secures the government's interest in a taxpayer's property, while a levy is the actual taking of property to satisfy the tax debt.
6. What is the significance of tax penalties in tax problem resolution?
Tax penalties, such as those for late filing or late payment, can significantly increase a taxpayer's overall debt. In tax problem resolution, specialists often work to have these penalties reduced or abated by demonstrating reasonable cause for the non-compliance or through specific IRS programs. Successfully negotiating penalty relief can substantially lower the total amount owed, making the tax debt more manageable for the taxpayer.