Verified Questions
Professional Tax Preparation Curriculum | Verified Q&A | Tax
Preparation Candidates and Professionals
Comprehensive 50-Question Original Actual Exam Set | 2026/2027
Introduction
This 2026/2027 comprehensive 50-question actual exam set provides original Professional tax preparation
questions covering Federal Tax Law and Regulatory Updates, Income Reporting and Documentation including W-
2 and 1099 series forms, Adjustments, Deductions, and Tax Credits, and Tax Return Preparation, Ethics, and
Client Communication. The content is designed to reinforce official course objectives for actual exam readiness
and professional competency by strengthening filing status analysis, income reporting, documentation, credit
eligibility, deduction support, ethical conduct, e-file authorization, and client communication. Each item includes
Verified Questions with concise rationales grounded in IRS publications, Form 1040 instructions, current tax code
regulations, and professional tax preparation standards.
Domain: Federal Tax Law and Regulatory Updates
1. Which federal agency administers individual income tax filing rules and issues Form 1040
instructions?
A. Internal Revenue Service
B. Social Security Administration only
C. Department of Labor only
D. State revenue department only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Internal Revenue Service administers federal income tax filing, forms, instructions, and
taxpayer guidance.
2. Which filing status is generally available to an unmarried taxpayer who pays more than half the
cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying child?
A. Married filing separately
B. Head of household
C. Qualifying surviving spouse automatically
D. Single only in all cases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head of household status generally requires being unmarried or considered unmarried, paying
more than half household costs, and having a qualifying person.
3. Which taxpayer is generally required to file a federal return?
A. Every person with no income
B. Only taxpayers who itemize deductions
C. A taxpayer whose gross income exceeds the filing threshold for filing status, age, and dependency status
D. Only taxpayers who receive refunds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Filing requirements depend on income level, filing status, age, and whether the taxpayer may be
claimed as a dependent.
4. Which concept best describes taxable income?
HRB-27 Final Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, A. Total bank deposits with no exclusions
B. Only cash wages before deductions
C. Refund amount plus withholding
D. Gross income minus allowable adjustments and deductions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Taxable income is computed after applying allowable adjustments and either standard or
itemized deductions to income subject to tax.
5. Which income is generally excluded from federal gross income?
A. Qualified life insurance proceeds paid by reason of death
B. Wages from employment
C. Taxable interest from a bank account
D. Self-employment receipts
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Life insurance death benefits are generally excluded from income unless special circumstances
apply, such as interest payments.
6. Which taxpayer identification number is commonly required for an individual taxpayer who is
not eligible for a Social Security number but must file?
A. Employer Identification Number only
B. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
C. Preparer Tax Identification Number only
D. Routing transit number
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An ITIN is used by certain individuals who have a federal tax filing requirement but are not
eligible for a Social Security number.
7. Which record should a preparer retain or advise the client to retain to substantiate a charitable
contribution deduction?
A. A verbal memory of the donation only
B. A social media post about generosity
C. Written acknowledgment or receipt meeting IRS requirements
D. A bank balance with no payee information
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Charitable contributions require appropriate records, and larger gifts may require written
acknowledgment from the organization.
8. Which term describes a taxpayer legally treated as married on the last day of the tax year?
A. Single for all purposes
B. Dependent automatically
C. Nonresident automatically
D. Married for filing status purposes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Marital status for federal filing status is generally determined on the last day of the tax year,
subject to specific rules.
9. Which rule applies when a taxpayer uses the standard deduction?
A. The taxpayer generally does not deduct separate itemized deductions on Schedule A
B. The taxpayer must also itemize mortgage interest
C. The taxpayer cannot claim any credit
D. The taxpayer must file as married filing separately
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The standard deduction is taken instead of itemizing deductions, though credits and adjustments
may still be available separately.
10. Which tax concept requires the taxpayer to include worldwide income if they are a U.S. citizen
or resident for tax purposes?
A. State-only taxation
HRB-27 Final Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions