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IBF Designation Program

Certified Tax Specialist®

The designation for advisors who turn tax planning into measurable client value. Income strategies, Roth conversions, business owner planning, estate tax coordination. Not tax preparation. Strategic thinking that helps clients keep more.

Take the Self-Assessment → Request the IBF Catalog
CTS®
Up to 24
CE Credits
55–70 hrs
Study Hours
Self-Paced
Format
With Concierge Option
Book |Audio Roundtable |Visual Blueprint |Chapter Snapshot
CFP Board Approved
State Insurance CE
PACE Approved
Overview

What you will learn

Tax planning is not the CPA’s job alone. Every recommendation an advisor makes has a tax consequence, and the advisor who understands those consequences gives better advice. The CTS® program covers the tax code the way financial advisors actually use it. Across 20 chapters, you will learn how income recognition, deductions, credits, and entity structures affect every planning decision you make.

When you finish, you will know how to evaluate asset location across taxable and tax-deferred accounts, model Roth conversion strategies, manage capital gains harvesting, plan distributions to minimize lifetime tax liability, and coordinate with CPAs using the same language they use. This is the designation for advisors who are tired of finding out after the fact that a recommendation cost their client money in taxes.

“After completing the CFP®, it was nice to further my knowledge and still find value in an added credential. The CTS® not only strengthened previous education, but also provided a more in-depth look at tools that could be utilized in various client situations.”

Dominic Garcia, CTS®
CFP® is a registered mark of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

Curriculum

What the program covers

20
Chapters
2
Modules
01
Module 1 · 10 Chapters
Tax Foundations
How the tax system works and how it applies to the decisions advisors make every day.
Income recognition, character, and the progressive rate structure
Deductions, credits, and taxable income reduction strategies
Investment taxation: capital gains, dividends, and interest
Retirement account, annuity, and business entity taxation
Estate, gift, and trust taxation fundamentals
02
Module 2 · 10 Chapters
Tax-Smart Planning
Applying tax knowledge to real planning scenarios across a client’s financial life.
Tax-efficient asset location and capital gains management
Roth conversion strategies and break-even analysis
Social Security tax planning and retirement distribution strategies
Business owner and pass-through entity tax planning
Charitable giving, state tax planning, and Medicare surcharge management
Atlas
In development
CTS Reference Atlas
Updated Annually
Built for Your Desk
View details ⌄
The numbers advisors actually pull out in client meetings.
Data reference cards built for the desk, not the shelf. Updated annually with current tax brackets, deduction limits, and contribution thresholds.
Federal tax brackets and standard deductions on a single card
Capital gains thresholds and IRMAA brackets updated every edition
State income tax comparisons across all 50 states
Printed on 100lb+ card stock, three-hole punched, full color
IBF CTS Reference Atlas
Federal Tax Brackets
Current Year
IBF CTS Reference Atlas
State Tax Comparisons
50 States
IBF CTS Reference Atlas
Capital Gains Thresholds and Contribution Limits
Current Year
Want the full chapter breakdown? Talk to an Enrollment Advisor · Chat Now · (800) 848-2029
Explore the Program

See what the CTS® teaches before you enroll

Free tools and guides built by the same team that wrote the curriculum. No sales pitch. Just substance.

The Self-Assessment Series
How Tax-Aware Is Your Practice, Really?
Ten questions that expose the difference between knowing tax rules and knowing how to use them for clients.
Interactive · 2 min
Take the Quiz
The Practice Benchmark Series
Is Your Tax Strategy Costing Clients Money?
25 planning scenarios across income, capital gains, and estate tax. See if your approach leaves money on the table.
Interactive · 10 min
Start the Benchmark
The Practitioner Brief Series
The Tax Drag Nobody Mentions
Your client’s portfolio returned 8% last year. After tax drag, they kept 5.4%. Most advisors never calculate the difference.
PDF Guide · Free
Download the Brief
The Specialist’s Edge Series
What a Tax Specialist Sees
Same client. Same return. One advisor sees the number. The other sees $47,000 in avoidable tax over a decade.
PDF Guide · Free
Read the Analysis
1988
Established
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit
8
Designations
38 Years
Educating Advisors
Built For

Is this the right designation for you?

Financial Advisors
You make recommendations every day that have tax consequences. You want to know the consequences before the client finds out.
Wealth Managers
You coordinate with CPAs and tax attorneys for high-net-worth clients and need to speak their language.
Insurance Professionals
You sell products with significant tax implications. Understanding them makes you better at your job.
What You Get

Everything you need to learn and pass

Books are the foundation. The digital materials cover the same ground in different formats, so you can start learning the day you enroll.

Chapter Books Series
Chapter Books
Core learning content for each chapter of your program.
2 volumes per program Included
Chapter Blueprints Series
Chapter Blueprints
Structured visual breakdowns that map each chapter's framework.
One per chapter Included
Chapter Snapshots Series
Chapter Snapshots
Visual one-page summaries with key data points and takeaways.
One per chapter Included
Chapter Roundtables Series
Chapter Roundtables
Audio discussions that bring each chapter's concepts to life.
One per chapter Included
Certification Process

How it works

Step One
Enroll
Register online. Digital study materials are available immediately. Books ship separately to your door.
Step Two
Study
Work through chapters at your own pace. Most students finish in 2 to 4 months. You have 12 months to complete the program, with extensions available at an additional charge.
Step Three
Assessments
Two online proctored exams (one per module) plus a case study. Practice questions for every chapter help you prepare. Retakes available if needed.
Step Four
Certify
Use the CTS® designation on your business cards, LinkedIn, and client materials. Maintain with 30 CE credits every two years.
$1,695
One-time enrollment. Everything included.
  • All 20 chapters across 2 printed textbooks, shipped to you
  • Digital study materials: Roundtables, Blueprints, Snapshots
  • Practice questions for every chapter
  • Online proctored certification exam
  • Up to 24 CE credits upon completion
Enroll Now →
“Francine Darling was fantastic in her consistent and encouraging check-in calls every 4-6 weeks. She kept me focused on this program and accountable for completing it by the final deadline. She has been my rock throughout this process, and I appreciate her efforts tremendously. She is a genuine credit to IBF and is a major reason why I will continue my studies here in the future.”
Brad Reichert  ·  CTS® Designee
Continuing Education

Earn up to 24 CE credits

IBF programs are approved for CE credit by state insurance departments, the CFP Board, and other regulatory bodies. Hours vary by program and state. See the full breakdown for your situation.

View CE Credit Details →
Quick Facts
CE Hours Up to 24 (varies by state)
CFP Board Approved
Insurance CE Approved in most states
PACE Approved
From The Specialist's Desk

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) force tax-deferred accounts to eventually get taxed. Missing them costs 25% of the shortfall. This guide covers RMD calculation, aggregation rules, the first-year decision, and how to optimize with QCDs and spousal strategies.
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Ready to earn your CTS®?

Up to 24 CE credits. 55–70 study hours. Four ways to learn every chapter. Start today.

Enroll Now → Call (800) 848-2029