IRS Form 13748 Guide: Workshops and Seminars Registration

1. Introduction: What is Form 13748?

IRS Form 13748, officially titled Workshops/Seminars Registration, is an administrative event enrollment document published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS operates as a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury, administering the federal tax code and organizing educational outreach programs for the public.

Unlike personal tax returns used to calculate taxes or claim refunds, Form 13748 is an event sign-up sheet. It is utilized by outreach divisions across the IRS, such as the Stakeholder Liaison office within the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) division and the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) division.

Form 13748 allows entrepreneurs, corporate payroll managers, non-profit organizers, and professional tax preparers to register for in-person or live virtual educational seminars. By submitting this form, attendees reserve their seats at official IRS training events and request certificates for professional education credits.

2. Purpose of the Form

Navigating federal tax laws can be challenging for new business owners, payroll directors, and exempt organizations. Compliance errors often occur not out of bad faith, but because taxpayers misunderstand complex recordkeeping rules, employment tax deposit schedules, or non-profit filing requirements.

To promote voluntary compliance, the IRS regularly sponsors educational seminars, small business tax workshops, and local tax forums. These workshops provide practical training directly from IRS specialists, covering essential topics such as worker classification, estimated taxes, and digital recordkeeping.

Form 13748 exists to manage attendance and logistics for these events. It gives event coordinators accurate participant rosters, ensures that event facilities do not exceed building capacity limits, enables the coordination of accessibility accommodations, and provides the documentation required to issue Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits to licensed practitioners.

3. Who Needs to File This Form

Form 13748 is completed by anyone planning to attend an IRS-sponsored or co-sponsored tax seminar that requires pre-registration. Common registrants include:

• Small Business Owners & Sole Proprietors: Entrepreneurs seeking guidance on deductible business expenses, inventory tracking, and Schedule C tax reporting.
• Payroll Professionals & Bookkeepers: Office managers and payroll staff looking to understand employment tax withholding, Form 941 rules, and electronic deposit deadlines.
• Licensed Tax Practitioners: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Enrolled Agents (EAs), and Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) participants who need official CPE credits to maintain their credentials.
• Non-Profit & Charitable Leaders: Officers of 501(c)(3) organizations seeking practical training on Form 990 annual information reporting and public disclosure rules.

A separate Form 13748 must be completed for each individual participant attending the session. Organizations sending multiple staff members cannot register them all on a single form.

4. Who Is Exempt / Not Required to File

Because Form 13748 is strictly an event registration form, most individuals and businesses will never need to complete it:

• Routine Annual Tax Filers: Taxpayers filing their annual Form 1040 or corporate returns do not use this form.
• Online Automated Registrants: Attendees who register for national IRS events (such as the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums) through modern third-party web portals or event management websites do not need to submit Form 13748.
• Casual Webinar Viewers: Individuals viewing pre-recorded educational videos on the IRS Video Portal or attending open webinars that do not require advance registration.
• Informal Public Tax Fair Attendees: Community members walking into open tax fairs or library informational sessions that do not require seat reservations or offer professional education credits.

5. When to File

Form 13748 is an event-driven form governed by the specific scheduling calendar of the workshop you wish to attend:

• Prior to the Registration Deadline: You must submit Form 13748 before the registration cutoff date published on the workshop flyer or announcement, typically one to two weeks before the session.
• Advance Notice for Accommodations: If you require disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—such as sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices, or wheelchair accessibility—you should submit the form at least 14 calendar days in advance.

Because many IRS seminars have limited seating due to classroom space or local fire code regulations, submitting your registration as early as possible ensures your seat is reserved.

6. Where and How to File

Form 13748 cannot be filed through commercial tax preparation software like TurboTax. It is an administrative document submitted directly to the event’s designated coordinator.

The form is typically delivered via email, fax, or postal mail directly to the Registration Point of Contact listed on the seminar announcement. When mailing physical forms, send your paperwork to the specific IRS address as per instructions on the event flyer.

Always provide a clear, current email address on the form. The IRS event coordinator uses your email to deliver registration confirmations, driving directions, venue updates, handout materials, and your final CPE credit certificates.

7. Step-by-Step Instructions to Fill the Form

Form 13748 is a straightforward one-page registration worksheet. Review the table below for a section-by-section guide to completing the form.

Section	Field Details	Instructions for Registrants
Workshop Information	Title, Date, Time & City	Enter the exact seminar title, dates, scheduled start time, city, and state matching the event announcement.
Attendee Information	Name & Company Details	Provide your full legal name, business or agency name, mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code.
Contact Numbers	Telephone & Fax	Enter a reliable daytime telephone number and optional fax number where event staff can reach you.
Email Address	Primary Contact Email	Provide an active email address; this field is required to receive registration confirmations and venue notices.
CPE Credits	Certificate Request	Check “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether you require an official certificate for Continuing Professional Education credits.
Comments / Accommodations	Special Requests	Note any required physical accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access, sign language interpreters) or questions for the presenter.

Tips for Tax Professionals Requesting CPE Credits

If you are an Enrolled Agent, CPA, or tax preparer seeking continuing education hours, pay close attention to the education section:

• Check the CPE Box: Always check “Yes” in the Professional Education Credits box. Failing to check this box can result in the coordinator omitting your name from the certified attendance roster.
• Bring Your Credentials: When attending the workshop, bring your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and state license number to sign the official sign-in sheet on site.
• Verify Qualifying Topics: Confirm in advance that the workshop topics qualify for federal tax law or ethics credits under your state licensing board’s rules.

8. Required Documents/Information Needed Before Filling

Before completing Form 13748, assemble the following event and contact details:

• The Workshop Announcement: The official flyer, email notice, or press release containing the exact title, date, time, and location of the session.
• Registrant Identification: Your legal name and organization name exactly as you wish them to appear on your name tag and completion certificate.
• Working Email Address: An active email address capable of receiving messages and PDF attachments from government domains.
• License Numbers: Your PTIN or CPA license number if you are requesting professional continuing education certificates.
• Accommodation Details: Specific descriptions of any accessibility or disability accommodations needed during the presentation.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Administrative errors on Form 13748 can lead to missed communications or seat cancellations. Avoid these frequent mistakes:

• Listing Multiple Attendees on One Form: Form 13748 explicitly instructs organizers to “complete a separate form for each participant.” Registering a group on a single sheet will result in the form being returned.
• Omitting Your Email Address: The IRS relies almost exclusively on email to send registration confirmations, room changes, and parking directions. Omitting your email means you will not receive critical event notices.
• Sending to a General Tax Processing Center: Mailing Form 13748 to a standard IRS tax return campus will cause the document to be lost or discarded. Always send it directly to the local event coordinator.
• Forgetting to Request CPE Certificates: If you attend the workshop without indicating your need for CPE credits on the form, obtaining credit retroactively can be difficult.
• Submitting After the Cutoff Date: Many workshop venues have strict fire-safety capacity limits. Late submissions may be placed on a waiting list or turned away at the door.

10. Penalties for Non-Filing or Errors

Form 13748 is a voluntary registration form, meaning there are no civil tax penalties, fines, or late fees for failing to file it or deciding not to attend an event. However, there are practical consequences to keep in mind:

• Denial of Entry: Popular workshops often reach maximum capacity quickly; attendees who do not pre-register with Form 13748 risk being turned away if the room is full.
• Loss of Education Credits: Coordinators issue CPE certificates strictly to pre-registered attendees who appear on the official sign-in roster.
• Lack of Accommodations: If you require assistive listening or accessibility services and fail to submit Form 13748 in advance, event staff may be unable to arrange accommodations on the day of the event.
• Missed Location Updates: If severe weather or technical issues force a change in venue or time, unregistered individuals will not receive update notices.

11. Related Forms or Schedules

Form 13748 is part of a broader group of IRS administrative outreach, advisory, and professional development forms:

• Form 13768: Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) Membership Application
• Form 13285-A: Reducing Tax Burden on America’s Taxpayers (Public Referral Form)
• Form 23: Application for Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service
• Form 14335: Contact Information for VITA and TCE Grants
• Publication 3385: Small Business Tax Workshop Guide
• Publication 4883: Grant Program Information

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any cost to submit Form 13748 or attend an IRS workshop?

Most local seminars, webinars, and small business workshops hosted directly by the IRS are completely free of charge. In rare cases where an event is co-sponsored by an outside professional association or university, a small facility fee may apply as indicated on the event flyer.

Can a company submit one Form 13748 for three employees?

No. Each person attending the event must have their own individual Form 13748 submitted. This ensures that attendance rosters, name badges, and individual CPE certificates are generated accurately.

What types of continuing education credits are available through these seminars?

Depending on the topic, attendees can earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits in federal tax law, tax updates, or regulatory ethics. Check the event announcement to see the specific credit categories offered for that session.

How will I know if my workshop registration was accepted?

The IRS Registration Point of Contact will send an email confirmation to the address listed on your Form 13748. The confirmation typically includes driving directions, parking details, and presentation outlines.

What should I do if I need to cancel my registration?

If you cannot attend, notify the Registration Point of Contact by email or phone as soon as possible. Because seating is often limited, canceling in advance frees up a space for someone on the waiting list.

Can Form 13748 be used to register for virtual online seminars?

Yes. When an IRS field office hosts a live virtual workshop that requires pre-registration rather than an open web link, coordinators use Form 13748 to gather attendee emails and send secure webinar access links.

13. Conclusion: Key Takeaways Summarized

IRS Form 13748 makes it easy for business owners and tax professionals to access official, high-quality tax education. Keep these essential practices in mind:

• Standardized Registration: Use Form 13748 to register for IRS-sponsored tax seminars, small business workshops, and educational forums.
• One Form Per Person: Complete a separate registration sheet for each individual attending the workshop.
• Include a Valid Email: Providing an active email address is mandatory to receive registration confirmations, directions, and certificates.
• Claim Your CPE Credits: Check “Yes” on the form if you are a licensed practitioner seeking continuing education credits.
• Submit to the Event Coordinator: Deliver your completed form directly to the specific IRS address as per instructions on the workshop announcement.