CE Credits

[Gadgetfreak]

Perhaps I was derelict in not researching this further or fully understanding it, but I had thought I could self-report ERPA CE credits to the IRS. During renewal, they ask you to enter credits per year (separated by ethics). When I added all the classes I had taken, I received an email from the IRS stating that I was one credit short based on what they had been reported to them directly, and that I needed to contact my CE vendors if there was an error (there wasn't).

Furthermore, many of the classes I took did not appear to be eligible for ERPA and, therefore, were not reported. I was one credit short. And, of course, I didn’t learn about this until after the cycle was over, when it was too late to make it up. That’s on me for not fully understanding the rules.

In any event, I replied to the IRS explaining that I had over 100 hours of ASPPA credit (albeit not ERPA) and asked if there is any possible flexibility. I’m waiting to hear back.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone experienced this before? What did you do, and what was the outcome?
2. Besides John Hancock and ERISApedia, who else offers free ERPA CE credits?
3. Is there a web-based platform where I can take multiple classes (paid is fine) to quickly accumulate credits?
4. I know ASPPA and NIPA offer certificates, credentials, conferences, and other paid options. For example, ASPPA charges about $72 for a 1-credit on-demand webcast. Are there more efficient options?

Thank you in advance for any insight.