Tax Preparation
Personal and small-business tax preparation with a structured, documentation-first process.
START • ELEVATE • OWN • EXPAND
CHOOSE YOUR PATH.
BUILD YOUR EMPIRE.
Four Powerful Paths. One Empire.
Whether you're starting your journey in the tax industry or ready to build your own network, we have a path designed to help you grow.
STARTELEVATEOWNEXPAND
DARIN LYONSCEO • Leader • Mentor • Tax Advisor
CLIENT SERVICES
YOUR TAXES DESERVE MORE THAN A TRANSACTION.
Professional service, clear communication and an organized client experience — backed by the systems of the Empire.
Tax Planning
Forward-looking planning designed to help clients understand decisions before tax season arrives.
Notary Services
Professional notary support available through Empire Elite Financial Solutions.
Mentorship
Leadership, business development and professional growth rooted in the Empire blueprint.
Empire Software
Technology and operational infrastructure supporting the professionals and businesses inside the Empire ecosystem.
READY TO BECOME AN EMPIRE CLIENT?
FILE WITH CONFIDENCE. FILE WITH EMPIRE.
Your future E360 client entry experience will begin here — beautifully branded, secure and connected to the right team.
THE EMPIRE ECOSYSTEM
ONE EMPIRE. TWO POWERFUL COMPANIES.
Choose the lane that matches where you are today and where you want to go next.
Empire Elite Financial Solutions
Tax Preparation • Training • PTIN Partner Network
Where tax professionals START and ELEVATE with training, mentorship, support, and a team structure built around growth.
Empire Core Technologies
Tax Software • ERO Solutions • Service Bureau Solutions
Where tax business owners OWN and EXPAND with technology and infrastructure designed to power the business behind the return.
START WHERE YOU ARE
CHOOSE THE PROGRAM THAT FITS YOU
Four paths. Clear requirements. One place to build what comes next.
01EMPIRE ELITE
START
PTIN Partner
$199 enrollment
70 / 30 SPLIT
- Designed for newer tax professionals
- Training, mentorship and team support
- Build your client base under Empire Elite
- Clear path to elevate as production grows
02EMPIRE ELITE
ELEVATE
Elite PTIN Partner
$399 enrollment
80 / 20 SPLIT
- For experienced tax professionals
- Minimum 20 clients/returns in the previous tax season
- Higher partner split
- Empire Elite training, mentorship and support
03EMPIRE CORE
OWN
ERO Software
$499 flat software price
POWER YOUR OWN ERO
- Tax software through Empire Core Technologies
- Designed for EROs with their own EFIN
- Bring 50+ verified successfully funded clients
- Qualifying 50+ client production waives the $499 software fee
04EMPIRE CORE
EXPAND
Service Bureau
$1,597
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
- Built for growth-minded tax business owners
- Recruit and support ERO relationships
- Software and service bureau infrastructure
- Expand beyond preparing returns into a larger business model
Program eligibility, verification requirements, fees, splits and services are governed by the applicable agreement.
EXPERIENCE FIRST. APPLICATION SECOND.
EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE YOU APPLY.
Each Empire path now has a destination designed to explain the opportunity, the support and the next step before an application begins.
Begin Your Tax Career
Understand the PTIN Partner experience, training, mentorship, expectations and support before deciding to join.
MEET THE PEOPLE →Grow as an Experienced Preparer
See how experienced tax professionals can grow with stronger economics, structure and the Empire team.
SEE THE EXPERIENCE →Build Your Business. Don't Build It Alone.
Explore ERO ownership, E360 infrastructure, training and support — plus stories from independent Empire business partners.
HEAR FROM ERO OWNERS →Build a Larger Network
Learn how the Service Bureau path supports growth-minded owners ready to expand beyond their own production.
EXPLORE THE ECOSYSTEM →WHY EMPIRE
MORE THAN SOFTWARE.
MORE THAN A TAX TEAM.
YOU'RE BUILDING WITH AN EMPIRE.
Empire is built to develop the professional and the business behind the professional — combining leadership, systems, compliance, growth and community under one standard.
01
DEVELOP
Training & Mentorship
Learn the work, sharpen your leadership and develop the mindset needed to grow with confidence.
02
SYSTEMIZE
Technology & Systems
Build on tools, workflows and infrastructure designed to support a stronger tax business.
03
PROTECT
Compliance & Support
Operate with structure, due diligence, documentation and accountability at the center.
04
GROW
Business Growth
Move beyond preparing returns and start building the business behind the tax return.
05
BELONG
Community
Build alongside people who value leadership, growth, integrity, honor and respect.
THE EMPIRE STANDARD
WE DON'T JUST TEACH YOU HOW TO PREPARE TAXES.
WE HELP YOU BUILD THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE TAX RETURN.
MINDSET.BELIEF SYSTEM.BLUEPRINT.
CLIENT & PROFESSIONAL STORIES
REAL PEOPLE. REAL EMPIRE EXPERIENCES.
Client and professional stories live separately from our independent ERO business-owner stories.
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE RETURN
THE EMPIRE CLIENT EXPERIENCE • POWERED BY E360
FROM FIRST CLICK
TO FINAL SIGNATURE.
Your tax experience should feel organized before the first document is ever uploaded. Empire brings service, communication and technology together in one connected journey.
01BEGINChoose Empire
02CONNECTSecure registration
03PREPAREIntake + documents
04COMMUNICATEStay informed
05COMPLETEFinish with confidence
YOUR EMPIRE EXPERIENCE STARTS HERE
READY TO FILE
WITH CONFIDENCE?
Enter through the Empire client experience and let our team guide you from the first step forward.
START MY TAX JOURNEY →POWERED BY E360TECHNOLOGY BY EMPIRE CORE TECHNOLOGIES
ALWAYS SERVING THE PEOPLEPEOPLE • PROCESS • TECHNOLOGY • GROWTH
THE NEXT MOVE IS YOURS
YOUR NEXT LEVEL STARTS HERE.
Choose your path. Build your business. Build your brand. Build your legacy.
START + ELEVATE
JOIN A WINNING TEAM
For PTIN Partners and Elite PTIN Partners ready to train, grow and build with Empire Elite Financial Solutions.
OWN + EXPAND
POWER YOUR BUSINESS
For EROs and tax business owners ready for software and service bureau solutions through Empire Core Technologies.
THE EMPIRE OPPORTUNITY EXPERIENCE
CHOOSE YOUR LANE. APPLY WITH PURPOSE.
Four distinct paths. Two powerful companies. Select the opportunity that matches where you are now and where you are ready to go next.
START • PTIN PARTNER
BEGIN YOUR TAX CAREER.
For new and developing tax professionals ready for training, mentorship, structure and a team behind them.
BEGIN PTIN APPLICATION →ELEVATE • ELITE PTIN PARTNER
TAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE HIGHER.
For experienced preparers ready for stronger economics, elevated expectations and the Empire support structure.
BEGIN ELITE APPLICATION →OWN • ERO SOFTWARE
BUILD YOUR BUSINESS. OWN YOUR LANE.
For independent EROs with their own EFIN who want professional tax software, E360 infrastructure and business support.
BEGIN ERO APPLICATION →EXPAND • SERVICE BUREAU
BUILD BEYOND YOUR OWN RETURNS.
For growth-minded tax business owners ready to build a larger network with service bureau infrastructure and support.
BEGIN SERVICE BUREAU APPLICATION →EMPIRE APPLICATION CENTERThese branded entry points are ready for the native E360 application workflow. The legacy Cognito forms have been removed from the public website experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU START?
Do I need tax experience to join as a PTIN Partner?
The START path is designed to support newer tax professionals. You must satisfy all applicable legal and program requirements, including obtaining and maintaining any credentials required to prepare federal tax returns for compensation.
How do I qualify for the Elite PTIN Partner path?
The Elite PTIN Partner path requires a minimum of 20 clients/returns from the previous tax season, subject to verification and the terms of the Elite PTIN Agreement.
What is the difference between the 70/30 and 80/20 split?
START PTIN Partners are offered a 70/30 split and qualifying Elite PTIN Partners are offered an 80/20 split. The applicable agreement controls the exact terms, payment process and eligibility.
What do I need for the ERO Software path?
The OWN path is for EROs operating with their own EFIN and using software through Empire Core Technologies. The ERO Agreement contains the final eligibility and service requirements.
How does the 50-client software waiver work?
For the ERO Software path, the $499 software fee may be waived when at least 50 successfully funded clients are verified. Verification and all final conditions are governed by the ERO Agreement.
What is the Service Bureau path?
The EXPAND path is designed for tax business owners who want to grow beyond their own production and build a larger network using Empire Core Technologies' service bureau infrastructure.
Can I work remotely?
Many tax-business functions can be performed remotely, but your actual setup must comply with applicable federal, state, software, security and program requirements.
Is income guaranteed?
No. Empire Elite Financial Solutions and Empire Core Technologies do not guarantee income, client volume, refunds, or business results. Results depend on many factors, including effort, experience, compliance, market conditions and individual business performance.