Learn Tax Preparation the Right Way
Two live workshops led by Jean R. Mervilus, EA — one for beginners, one for experienced preparers.
Your workshop fee is credited 100% toward the $549, $1,000 or $2,500 learning options.
Tax Preparation Foundations
A 2-Day Beginner Bootcamp for people starting from zero.
Tax Refresher
Sharpen your skills on investments, rentals, K-1s and business returns.
Which Workshop Is Right for Me?
Compare both options side-by-side to choose the best fit for your current skill level.
| Feature | Beginner Bootcamp | Tax Refresher |
|---|---|---|
| Who It's For | Complete beginners, career changers & DIYers | Active or seasonal return preparers |
| Experience Level | No prior tax experience needed | Prior individual tax return experience expected |
| Key Topics | Form 1040, filing status, dependents, income, deductions, credits, full practice return | Investments, rentals, K-1s, basis, foreign income, business returns & QC |
| Dates & Times | Fri Nov 13 & Sat Nov 14 · 6–8 PM ET | Fri Nov 13 & Sat Nov 14 · 11 AM–2 PM ET |
| Price | $99 | $249 |
| What You Walk Away With | Clear understanding of tax foundations & a completed practice return | Sharper skills for complex scenarios & a QC workflow |
| Tuition Credit | Credited 100% toward $549, $1,000 or $2,500 | Credited 100% toward $549, $1,000 or $2,500 |
Tax Preparation Foundations: A 2-Day Beginner Bootcamp
Designed for newcomers who want a clear, practical, no-nonsense introduction to how tax preparation works.
Who This Bootcamp Is For
Complete Beginners
Starting from scratch with zero tax experience and looking for clear, easy-to-follow training.
Career Changers
Exploring a transition into tax preparation or starting your own seasonal tax business.
Family Return Preparers
People who want to accurately prepare their own returns or assist family members.
Future Students
People exploring whether a career in tax preparation is right for them before committing to a full course.
What You'll Learn
How Taxes Work & the Form 1040
- How the U.S. tax system works and key IRS terminology
- The Form 1040: understanding the line-by-line structure
- Filing status rules: Single, MFJ, MFS, Head of Household
- Dependents: who qualifies and how they affect the return
Income, Deductions, Credits & a Full Practice Return
- Reporting income: wages (W-2) and basic self-employment
- Standard deduction vs. itemized deductions
- Key tax credits: EIC, Child Tax Credit, education
- Put it all together: a full practice return, step by step
Tax Refresher
For people who already prepare returns and want to sharpen their skills and handle harder situations.
Who This Refresher Is For
Seasonal Preparers
Preparers wanting a structured refresh before the season ramps up.
Investments & Rentals
Preparers who see investments or rental property on client returns.
K-1s & Foreign Income
Preparers who handle K-1s, basis tracking or foreign income.
Stronger QC
Preparers who want a tighter quality-control process before filing.
What You'll Learn
Investments & Rentals
- Reporting investment income: interest, dividends, sales
- Capital gains and basis reporting
- Rental property: income, expenses and depreciation basics
- Common errors and how to catch them
K-1s, Basis, Foreign Income, Business Returns & QC
- Pass-through K-1s and basis tracking
- Foreign income reporting essentials
- Business returns overview and key checkpoints
- A quality-control workflow you can reuse on every return
How It Works in 3 Simple Steps
A seamless experience from enrollment to live instruction.
Choose Your Workshop
Pick the Beginner Bootcamp ($99) or the Tax Refresher ($249) based on your experience level.
Pick Format at Checkout
Pick Zoom or in person at checkout, then get your confirmation, materials and links by email.
Learn Live & Get Credited
Attend interactive live sessions with Jean, ask questions, and receive a 100% credit toward the $549, $1,000 or $2,500 options.
Meet Your Instructor
Learn directly from a seasoned tax practitioner and educator.
At the heart of JPL Dream Academy is Jean R. Mervilus, EA — a seasoned tax expert and dedicated educator licensed by the IRS as an Enrolled Agent with full rights to represent taxpayers nationwide.
Jean brings years of practical, real-world return preparation experience into every workshop. His teaching focuses on demystifying complex IRS forms into clear, actionable steps anyone can follow.
- IRS-Licensed Enrolled Agent (EA)
What You Get With Your Workshop
Every attendee receives complete learning materials and exclusive benefits.
Live Instruction
Interactive live sessions led directly by Jean R. Mervilus, EA.
Workbook & Cheat Sheet
A comprehensive workbook and a quick-reference cheat sheet to take home.
Practice Returns
Real-scenario tax return exercises to reinforce what you learn.
Community Access
Connect with fellow preparers and the JPL Dream Academy network.
100% Fee Credited Toward the $549, $1,000 or $2,500 Options
Your workshop fee is credited 100% toward the $549, $1,000 or $2,500 learning options. A credit code is emailed after your last session and is valid for 3 days. It does not apply to the $349 self-paced course.
Reserve Your Seat
Choose your workshop and complete checkout. You'll pick Zoom or in person on the checkout page.
Tax Preparation Foundations: A 2-Day Beginner Bootcamp
What's Included
- 2 days of live instruction with Jean R. Mervilus, EA
- Workbook & cheat sheet
- Full practice return walkthrough
- Community access
- 100% fee credited toward $549, $1,000 or $2,500 options
Tax Refresher
What's Included
- 2 days of live instruction with Jean R. Mervilus, EA
- Workbook & cheat sheet
- Investments, rentals, K-1s, basis, foreign income, business returns & QC
- Community access
- 100% fee credited toward $549, $1,000 or $2,500 options
Next Steps After Your Workshop
Your workshop fee is credited toward the option you choose (where the credit applies).
| Learning Option | Who It's For | Price | Workshop Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Paced Online Course (in partnership with Surgent Income Tax School) |
Self-starters who want to learn at their own pace | $349 | Workshop credit does not apply to this option |
| Basic Individual Tax Preparation | New preparers who want to learn individual returns | $549 | Credited 100% |
| Advanced Personal Tax Preparation | Preparers ready for more complex individual returns | $1,000 | Credited 100% |
| Complete Package (Basic + Advanced + Business Entity) |
Those who want all three courses | $2,500 | Credited 100% |
Your workshop fee is credited 100% toward the $549, $1,000 or $2,500 options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before reserving your seat.
General
Beginner Bootcamp
Tax Refresher
🔒 Workshop Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Cancel 24+ hours before the first day: full refund.
- We cancel: if JPL Dream Academy cancels a workshop, you receive a full refund.
- No recordings: sessions are live only and are not recorded.