AFSP Requirements for South Carolina Tax Preparers: Hours, Deadlines, Exemptions
- Non-exempt South Carolina preparers need 18 CE hours total; exempt preparers need only 15.
- The deadline for the 2027 Record of Completion is December 31, 2026 — no grace period.
- We found no separate South Carolina preparer license or state CE requirement; the state rule is an e-file mandate for preparers filing 100 or more returns.
- South Carolina returns go to the Department of Revenue; AFSP rules stay federal.
§1 What the AFSP Is, and Why South Carolina Preparers Use It
The Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) is a voluntary IRS continuing-education program, not a South Carolina program. We found no South Carolina license, exam, or CE requirement for paid preparers, so for most preparers in the state the AFSP Record of Completion is the main credential that sets them apart.
§2 Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Hours
South Carolina isn’t one of the three states — Oregon, California, Maryland — whose own credential holders are AFSP-exempt (see our 2-minute exemption check). Most non-credentialed South Carolina preparers are non-exempt: 18 hours including the 6-hour AFTR. The 15-hour exempt track requires a recognized credential, SEE Part 1 passed in the last three years, or active VITA/TCE volunteer status. See the full exempt vs. non-exempt guide.
§3 The Full Hour Breakdown
SCHEDULE B — AFSP HOURS BY TRACK (2027 FILING SEASON)
| Course Category | Non-Exempt | Exempt |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) | 6 | — |
| Federal Tax Law Topics | 10 | 10 |
| Federal Tax Law Update | — | 3 |
| Ethics | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 15 |
Exempt preparers skip the AFTR but still need 2 ethics hours. Hours can’t be shifted between categories to cover a shortfall. See the guide hub for more, and our guide to CE hours by type.
§4 Deadlines You Can’t Miss
December 31, 2026. All CE hours must be completed and reported to the IRS by this date to earn the 2027 Record of Completion. There is no extension.
Providers report your hours to the IRS directly, but missing the deadline still means missing the season. Keep your PTIN renewal current — an expired PTIN voids the Record of Completion.
§5 What You Get for Completing It
A completed AFSP earns a listing in the IRS’s public Tax Pro Directory plus limited representation rights before the IRS for returns you personally prepared and signed. It does not grant the unlimited rights of attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents.
§6 How the AFSP Fits Alongside South Carolina’s E-File Mandate
Under S.C. Code § 12-54-250, the Department of Revenue can require preparers who file 100 or more returns to e-file them, and a $50 fee applies per return that should have been e-filed. Clients can opt out, and the preparer should keep a signed opt-out statement. Third-party guides differ on the counting period, so confirm the current rule with SCDOR. This is a filing-method rule, separate from and not changing the federal AFSP hours. For the course itself, see our companion page on the AFTR course for South Carolina preparers.
§7 FAQs
Does South Carolina have its own AFSP-equivalent program?
No. Only Oregon, California, and Maryland have state programs the IRS recognizes for AFSP exemption.
How many hours do I need if I’m not exempt?
18 total: 6 for the AFTR course, 10 for federal tax law topics, and 2 for ethics, all completed by December 31, 2026 for the 2027 season.
Does South Carolina’s e-file mandate change my AFSP requirements?
No. AFSP hours are set by the IRS and are identical nationwide.
What happens if I miss the December 31 deadline?
You won’t receive a Record of Completion for that filing season, and you lose the limited representation rights and directory listing until the following season.
Related reading
Tax IQ Academy is an IRS and CTEC approved provider of continuing education for tax professionals, offering AFSP, AFTR, and EA exam prep courses covering federal tax law, ethics, and practice management.