Relief From Estimated Tax Payments

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Course Description

This self-study course explains the relief from federal estimated tax payments available to qualified farmers. Built for CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax preparers serving farms and ranches, it shows how to determine whether a client meets the qualified-farmer test, how to measure gross income from farming against total income, and how to calculate the two-thirds threshold that unlocks the relief. It then applies the relief itself — one annual installment instead of four, a reduced required payment, and the January 15 and March 1 deadlines — through farm and ranch examples. 

Overview

  • ATU Course #: 103
  • Field of Study: Taxes (Technical) 
  • Program Level: Basic 
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Advance Preparation: None 
  • Delivery Method: QAS Self-Study /On Demand
  • Recommended CPE/CE Credit: 1.0 hour 
  • Final Exam: 10 questions · 70% pass threshold 
  • Target Audience: CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax preparers serving agricultural clients 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the criteria for qualified-farmer status for federal estimated tax purposes. 
2. Classify items of income as included in or excluded from gross income from farming. 
3. Calculate the percentage of a taxpayer’s total gross income that is derived from farming. 
4. Determine the estimated tax and return-filing deadlines that apply to a qualified farmer. 

Course Lessons

Course Outline

Meet Your Instructor

Paul G. Neiffer CPA

Paul Neiffer is a nationally recognized authority on agricultural taxation and financial management. He educates thousands of CPAs and tax professionals nationwide through his writing, speaking, and training programs, offering deep insight into complex farm tax and succession issues.

For more information on your instructor, please visit our About section.

Education Information

  • ATU Course ID: ATU-TAX-BAS-SS-2026-007-v1
  • IRS Program Number: QKKWZ-T-00009-26-S
  • NASBA Registry ID Number: 170295 
  • Field of Study: Taxes (NASBA): Federal Tax Topics/Federal Tax Related Matters (IRS)
  • Delivery Method: QAS Self-Study (NASBA): On-Demand (IRS)
  • Publication Date: July 2026
  • Revision/Review Date: July 2026
  • Course Developer: Penny Wade Smith EA
  • Course Reviewer: Paul G. Neiffer CPA

Participants must complete the Final Exam within one year of purchase.