Can I file taxes in any state with a PTIN, or are there state exceptions like Texas requiring a CPA license?

You've asked a really important question! A PTIN alone doesn't give you authority to prepare taxes in every state - you need to be aware of state-specific regulations. Texas does indeed have strict rules. Under Texas law, only CPAs can use the title "accountant" or advertise "accounting services." You can still prepare tax returns with a PTIN, but you need to be careful about how you market yourself (use "tax preparer" instead). Several states have specific requirements beyond the federal PTIN. California requires tax preparers to register with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC), complete qualifying education, obtain a bond, and pay fees. Oregon, Maryland, and New York also have their own registration programs. The best resource to navigate this is the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website, which provides links to each state's accountancy board. Also check the specific Department of Revenue websites for states you're interested in.

I went through this exact headache last year! After weeks of research and calling different state boards, I found this amazing service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that literally saved me thousands in potential fines by clarifying which states I could work in with just my PTIN. Their state-by-state breakdown of preparer requirements was super detailed - it showed me that my PTIN wasn't enough in California where I needed CTEC registration, but was fine in most other states as long as I marketed myself carefully. The best part was they analyzed my website and marketing materials to flag potential compliance issues before I got in trouble. They even created state-specific disclaimers I could use.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai from the recommendation above. It was seriously eye-opening! I found out I was inadvertently violating Oregon's preparer rules with some clients I was helping remotely. The service provided a complete compliance roadmap showing exactly what I needed in each state where my clients live. The most helpful feature was their title/marketing analysis that flagged terminology on my website that would violate state regulations. For example, I was using "accounting services" in my service descriptions which is actually restricted language in multiple states! They provided alternative phrasing that kept me compliant while still accurately describing my services. Definitely worth checking out if you're preparing returns across state lines. Saved me from potential penalties I had no idea I was risking.

If you're struggling to get clear answers from state boards (I was on hold with Texas for 2+ hours!), try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They got me connected directly to a senior representative at the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy who clarified everything about PTIN practice in the state. I was confused about whether I could prepare Texas returns with just my PTIN and the regular hold times were ridiculous. Claimyr got me connected in under 15 minutes - watch how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The rep I spoke with confirmed I could prepare returns with my PTIN but needed to be extremely careful about terminology in marketing materials. She even emailed me their official guidance document that's surprisingly not available on their website.

I have to eat my words about being skeptical of Claimyr. After seeing the responses here, I decided to try it to contact the California Tax Education Council about their preparer requirements. I'd been trying to reach them for THREE WEEKS with no response to emails and couldn't get through their phone system. Used Claimyr yesterday and was speaking with someone within 10 minutes. The representative actually corrected some misinformation I'd been given by another tax professional and explained that my previous work experience qualified for part of their education requirement. Definitely worth it when you need definitive answers from regulatory authorities. The peace of mind from knowing I'm fully compliant is huge - especially with the penalties these states can impose for unauthorized preparation.

Someone mentioned Enrolled Agent status above. I'm an EA and can confirm it helps with some state issues but not all. The EA credential gives you unlimited practice rights before the IRS, but: 1) You still have to follow state-specific rules about how you market yourself 2) Some states still require registration despite the EA status 3) Texas still prohibits calling yourself an accountant even as an EA Generally, the EA designation gives you more credibility and federal practice rights, but doesn't exempt you from state registration requirements. The EA combined with your PTIN is usually sufficient for preparation itself, but you'll still need to navigate the marketing restrictions.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - if you operate across multiple states, don't forget about potential business registration requirements beyond just tax preparer regulations! Depending on how your business is structured, you might need foreign entity registration in states where you have clients. My firm got hit with a $500 fine in Illinois because we were preparing returns for Illinois residents without registering our LLC as a foreign entity doing business in the state. Totally separate issue from the PTIN/tax preparer regulations!

This is such a complex area! I'm a tax preparer who's been dealing with multi-state compliance for a few years now. Here's what I've learned: The PTIN is indeed just the federal requirement - each state can and does impose additional rules. Beyond what others mentioned about Texas, California, and Oregon, don't overlook states like Connecticut and Nevada which have their own quirks. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet tracking requirements for each state where I have clients. I include columns for: registration required (Y/N), fees, continuing education requirements, prohibited terminology, and renewal dates. It's tedious to set up but saves so much confusion later. Also, be super careful about your website and social media presence. I learned the hard way that even if you're compliant in your home state, your online marketing can violate rules in states where potential clients might see it. Consider adding state-specific disclaimers or creating separate pages for different states. The investment in compliance research upfront really pays off - penalties for unauthorized practice can be steep, and some states are getting more aggressive about enforcement.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer to the tax prep world and had no idea the state regulations were this complex. I got my PTIN thinking it was like a universal license, but clearly there's much more to consider. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key takeaways for someone in my position are: 1. PTIN is just the federal baseline - states have their own rules 2. Marketing language is just as important as actual preparation requirements 3. Remote preparation doesn't change which state's rules apply 4. Even with EA status, state registration may still be required I'm particularly interested in the spreadsheet approach @dd84d3bd2424 mentioned. As someone just starting out, having a systematic way to track all these requirements seems essential. The penalty stories are definitely motivating me to do this research properly from the beginning rather than trying to fix problems later. One question I haven't seen addressed - for someone just getting started, would you recommend focusing on just your home state initially while you learn the ropes, or is it manageable to research multiple states upfront? I have family in several states who could be potential clients, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew compliance-wise.

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a very similar situation to the original poster - just got my PTIN and was completely unaware of how complex the state-by-state regulations could be. What strikes me most is how easy it would be to accidentally violate regulations just through innocent marketing language. The Texas "accountant" restriction and the various state-specific terminology rules seem like landmines waiting to trip up new preparers who assume the PTIN covers everything. I'm particularly grateful for the practical advice about starting with your home state first. As someone who was planning to immediately start helping family members across multiple states, the warnings about compliance complexity and potential relationship damage really hit home. It's better to be conservative and build expertise gradually than to risk penalties or damaged relationships. The resource recommendations throughout this thread (especially the spreadsheet tracking approach) seem like they'll save newcomers like me from learning these lessons the hard way. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's hard to find in official publications!

As someone who just joined this community and is navigating the same PTIN/state regulation maze, I wanted to add a few resources that have been helpful in my research: The IRS actually has a decent (though not comprehensive) overview of state requirements in Publication 216, "Conference and Practice Requirements." It's not updated as frequently as it should be, but it gives you a baseline understanding of which states have additional requirements beyond the PTIN. I've also found that many state CPA societies publish guidance documents for non-CPA tax preparers that clarify what services you can and cannot advertise. These are often more practical than the official regulatory language and include examples of compliant vs. non-compliant marketing language. One thing I learned the hard way - if you're considering the EA route, factor in that the exam is only offered during certain testing windows throughout the year. I wish I'd known that earlier in my planning since it affects when you can actually start practicing with that credential. The advice about starting with your home state is spot on. I initially wanted to help clients in 5 different states but quickly realized I was setting myself up for failure. Better to build a solid foundation first, then expand methodically with proper research and systems in place. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's incredibly helpful for those of us just starting out!