CPA REG study plan
CPA REG · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Federal Taxation of Individuals
Map the individual taxation outline and rank subtopics by exam weight and personal weakness
Compute gross income inclusions and exclusions across wages, interest, dividends, and retirement distributions in 20 practice items
Apply the standard deduction versus itemized deduction decision to five fact patterns
Draft a one-page formula sheet for individual taxable income
Your checkpoint
Completed 25-question individual gross income quiz with a written error log noting the rule missed on each wrong answer
Federal Taxation of Individuals
Calculate capital gain and loss treatment including holding period, netting, and the $3,000 limitation on 8 scenarios
Apply above-the-line adjustments such as IRA, HSA, and self-employment items to 6 fact patterns
Compute self-employment tax and the deduction for one-half of it on 3 problems
Reconcile a full individual return from gross income through taxable income without notes
Your checkpoint
One fully worked individual return (Form 1040 line-by-line) scored against an answer key, with each miss tagged to a rule
Federal Taxation of Individuals & Federal Taxation of Property Transactions
Apply basis rules for purchased, gifted, and inherited property across 8 problems
Compute depreciation and amortization using MACRS tables and Section 179 on 6 assets
Determine realized versus recognized gain on like-kind exchanges limited to real property in 4 scenarios
Classify property as capital versus ordinary under Section 1231 and recapture rules
Your checkpoint
A basis-and-depreciation worksheet covering 10 assets with correct adjusted basis and gain/loss outcomes
Federal Taxation of Property Transactions & Federal Taxation of Entities
Compute gain on sale of a principal residence including the exclusion limits and partial exclusion for 5 cases
Apply installment sale and involuntary conversion rules to 3 fact patterns
Identify the tax consequences of contributed property to a partnership under Sections 721 and 704(c) in 4 scenarios
Complete 30 mixed property-transaction questions under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
Timed 30-question property transactions set completed at 90 seconds per question with a score recorded and weak areas listed
Federal Taxation of Entities
Distinguish entity classification and formation consequences for partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations in a comparison matrix
Compute partnership and S corporation basis for shareholders and partners across contributions, distributions, and income allocations in 8 problems
Calculate C corporation taxable income including the dividends-received deduction and charitable contribution limits on 5 problems
Trace a distribution from an S corporation and a C corporation to the shareholder and state the tax treatment of each
Your checkpoint
Entity comparison matrix plus 8 solved basis problems with the governing code section cited for each
Federal Taxation of Entities & Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and Federal Tax Procedures
Compute corporate estimated tax and identify penalties for underpayment on 4 scenarios
Apply Circular 230 duties and preparer penalty standards under Sections 6694 and 6695 to 10 ethics scenarios
Sequence the IRS examination, appeals, and collection process and state taxpayer rights for each stage
Differentiate tax avoidance from evasion and identify privilege and confidentiality limits in 6 items
Your checkpoint
10-question ethics and procedure quiz plus a one-page flowchart of the IRS process from return filing through appeals
Business Law & Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and Federal Tax Procedures
Apply contract formation elements, statute of frauds, and remedies to 8 business law scenarios
Distinguish agency relationships and the liability of principal and agent in 5 problems
Identify debtor and creditor rights under the Bankruptcy Code chapters relevant to the exam in 4 items
Review professional responsibility rules on independence, conflicts, and confidential client information and answer 10 questions
Your checkpoint
20-question business law and professional responsibility set completed with every wrong answer rewritten as a correct rule statement
Federal Taxation of Individuals & Federal Taxation of Entities & Federal Taxation of Property Transactions & Business Law & Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and Federal Tax Procedures
Complete two full-length simulated exams under timed conditions and record section scores
Review every missed question across all domains and close each gap with a source citation
Re-drill the 40 highest-frequency rules from the personal error log
Finalize a one-page master sheet of formulas, thresholds, and phase-out amounts for exam-day review
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed practice exams with a score report by domain and a finalized one-page master reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on the individual taxation checkpoint quiz and have a complete 1040 worked without notes
Week 4: Score at least 70% on the timed property transactions set and hold a finished basis and depreciation worksheet
Week 6: Score at least 75% on the entity basis and ethics checkpoint and have the IRS process flowchart complete
Week 8: Average at least 75% across both full-length simulated exams with no domain below 65%