License and Permit Bond Cost: 2026 Rates by Bond Amount
A license and permit bond costs 1%–10% of the bond amount per term. Most $10,000 bonds run $100–$200. See premium by bond amount and credit tier.
Tax Preparer Bond
Tax preparer bonds,
Tax preparer bonds,
issued the same day you apply.
CTEC bonds for Texas preparers filing California returns, and higher-limit preparer bonds for other state requirements. Low flat-rate premium — CTEC $5,000 bond from $25 per year. No hard credit pull.
- CTEC $5,000 bonds issued in minutes
- Multi-state preparer bonds available
- Bundle with E&O insurance on one call
What it is
A financial guarantee protecting your tax clients.
A tax preparer surety bond is a financial guarantee filed with the state tax board or registry that regulates paid tax preparers. It protects your clients from losses caused by your fraud, dishonesty, or willful violation of tax preparer regulations.
The most common tax preparer bond is the $5,000 CTEC bond — required by the California Tax Education Council for any paid preparer filing California returns, including Texas-based preparers with California clients. The bond is posted under California Business and Professions Code Section 22250 as part of annual CTEC registration.
Other states (Maryland, Oregon, Nevada) have their own preparer bond and registration requirements. If your practice crosses state lines, we can quote the full stack at once.
New to surety? Our guide to what a license and permit bond is explains the principal, obligee and surety roles, and why a bond is closer to credit than to insurance.
What you pay
Flat-rate premium. Low, annual, no credit pull.
Tax preparer bonds are one of the lowest-cost surety products. Most applicants pay a flat annual rate regardless of credit history.
| Product | Coverage | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| CTEC bond California-registered preparers | $5,000 | $25 |
| State preparer bond Maryland, Nevada, others | $5,000–$25,000 | $50–$150 |
| Higher-limit preparer bond Firm-level requirement | $50,000–$100,000 | $250–$750 |
| Tax preparer E&O Optional, protects you | $250,000–$1M | $400–$1,200 |
Bundled bond + E&O packages typically price lower than buying both separately.
How to get bonded
Four steps, same day, registry-ready.
- 01
Quote the bond
Call or start online. Tell us which state requirement — CTEC, Maryland, Nevada, or a multi-state stack. No credit pull for standard quotes.
- 02
Sign & pay
Electronic application, card or ACH payment. Five-minute process.
- 03
Receive the bond
Bond emailed same day on the state-required form, executed and surety-sealed, ready to upload to CTEC or the applicable registry.
- 04
File with the registry
Upload the bond PDF with your CTEC renewal or state preparer registration. Your registration processes once the bond is on file.
Legal requirements
What each state requires and when.
CTEC statute
California Business and Professions Code Section 22250 requires any paid preparer who files California state returns to register with CTEC and post a $5,000 surety bond.
Issuing registry
California Tax Education Council (CTEC). Other states administer preparer registration through their Boards of Accountancy or Department of Revenue.
Bond amount
$5,000 for CTEC. Maryland, Nevada, and Oregon requirements range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the state.
Term
Typically 1-year or 2-year terms, renewable. The CTEC bond term runs November 1 through October 31 to match registration cycles.
Who can claim
Any client harmed by the preparer's fraud, dishonesty, or willful regulation violation. Honest math or interpretation errors are generally not covered under the bond — those fall under E&O.
Why Surety Bond Houston
Small bond, fast turnaround, multi-state coverage.
Same-day CTEC filing
Bond issued within the hour on the CTEC-approved form, ready for instant upload to your registration portal.
Multi-state stack
If your practice serves clients in multiple bonded states, we quote all the bonds on one call and one application.
Bond + E&O bundled
Most full-time preparers should carry both. We quote them together so you are covered from day one.
Related bonds
Other small-business bonds we write.
FAQ
Tax preparer bond questions we answer every week.
Does Texas require a tax preparer bond?
Texas does not require a state-level surety bond to prepare tax returns. However, Texas preparers who also prepare California returns must carry a $5,000 CTEC bond under California Business and Professions Code Section 22250. IRS PTIN-holders working with clients in other bonded states (California, Maryland, others) may also need state-specific bonds.
How much does a tax preparer bond cost?
The CTEC $5,000 bond costs around $25 per year for most applicants on a flat-rate basis. Higher-limit preparer bonds ($10,000 and up) typically run $50 to $150 per year. Most tax preparer bonds require no hard credit pull.
What is a CTEC bond and who needs it?
CTEC stands for California Tax Education Council. Any paid preparer who prepares California state returns — regardless of where the preparer is located — must register with CTEC and post a $5,000 surety bond. This includes Texas preparers with California clients.
How long does a tax preparer bond last?
Bonds are typically written for 1-year or 2-year terms and renew annually. The CTEC bond term matches the CTEC registration year (November 1 through October 31). We flag renewal 60 days out.
Can I get a tax preparer bond with bad credit?
Yes. Most tax preparer bonds are flat-rated and do not require a credit check. Even applicants with derogatory credit are rarely declined for this bond class.
What happens if a claim is filed against my tax preparer bond?
The surety investigates. If a client can show fraud, dishonesty, or willful violation of the preparer regulations, the surety pays damages up to the bond limit and then collects that amount back from you. Honest errors typically do not trigger bond claims — those fall under E&O insurance.
Do I need E&O insurance in addition to the bond?
E&O is not required, but it is strongly recommended. The bond protects your clients from your misconduct. E&O protects you from legitimate mistakes — missed deductions, math errors, missed deadlines — that generate malpractice claims. Most full-time preparers carry both.
Ready when you are
Get your tax preparer bond today.
Same-day issuance. Flat-rate pricing. CTEC and multi-state coverage. Talk to a real Texas agent.