[CPWAT]

I mean the Trump tax reform took out a lot of itemizations and made it way more straightforward. I mean unless someone who has already studied or have experience with existing tax laws, shouldn’t taking the 2019 exam be easier for someone with little to no experience with REG?

[Outsider626]

I was about to post the same thing. I looked at all the changes and there is nothing complicated. I don't understand why people stressing out…

[Recked]

Eh, if you are currently working in tax, and familiar with the recently changed tax laws, I could see a reason to want to cram REG before the change.
For all the people just learning the stuff, I see no difference to learning A vs B. You make some good points about the new tax laws potentially being easier to remember, but you'll also have testing of the 20% reduction for QBI, with phaseouts and limitations based on wages and assets in service, etc. I'm not sure how deep they will go for the CPA exam, but the calculations and rules are pretty advanced in the real world.

[Susan]

I hope it is!

[CPWAT]

I am asking because I am finishing my AUD and can start or cram for REG but I was wondering if it's worth it to do it as I have little to no exp with REG or taxation. Ok, I have exp with indirect tax such as sales and use tax but i don't think they are tested for REG. So I was wondering if I should push for the 2018 exam or just take it in Q1 2019.

As I see many reviewers are using the exam change as a marketing tool, but I honestly think there is no real advantage. Any thoughtful feedback is welcome!

[DoubleBogey]

You've got 6 weeks. That's enough time. The only downside would be if you were to fail in Q4 and have to start from total scratch in 2019 with REG.

[Recked]

If you have no tax knowledge or experience, and you are just finishing AUD, then I would recommend trying to get BEC knocked out before Dec10th.
FAR AUD and BEC all have lots of overlap. REG is the outlier. 6 weeks should be more than enough time to easily knock BEC out, and then tackle REG in 2019.

[Liirogue]

How long will they test over 2017 taxes? They say the 2018 tax reform is eligible for testing beginning in January 2019, but does that mean they will be asking questions only about 2018 taxes from that date forward, or will you be expected to answer questions about both?

[iceman]

Some of us have been filing tax returns under the old system for over a decade. Since practical experience is really the best teacher for these types of exams, the 2018 REG would certainly be easier for me. I've got mine scheduled for 11/9. Fingers crossed that I pass and don't have to learn the new tax law to retake the exam in Q1.

[CPWAT]

I already finished FAR and BEC. I have only 4 weeks available for REG as there is no NTS available.

[Sam]

Go for it! “No Sleep Till Brooklyn!”

[Author]

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