Dear US Taxpayers planning to file a tax return: Please be diligent in your selection of tax return preparer. At minimum, find out if your paid or professional tax preparer has taken these courses for the 2015 season. You can verify this by checking the IRS website. These VOLUNTARY annual courses is part of the new IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP). As many of you know, the IRS was unsuccessful in demanding credentialing for all paid or professional tax return preparers. Their attempt was overturned as unlawful by the Supreme Court and therefore the person preparing your tax return is not required to prove that they know what they are doing and know current tax laws and preparation rules. This voluntary new program aims to recognize the efforts of non-credentialed return preparers who aspire to a higher level of professionalism. It is also voluntary for credentialed return preparers. AFSP participants will also be included in a public database of return preparers scheduled to launch on the IRS website by January 2015. The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications will include the name, city, state, zip code, and credentials of all attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents and enrolled actuaries with a valid PTIN, as well as all AFSP – Record of Completion holders. While there are many ways for tax return preparers to be penalized for improper preparation of or unreasonable position taken on a return, ultimately the taxpayer, in order words, YOU, are the one that is responsible for it all, whether you were aware of the tax preparers mistake(s) or wrongdoings or not. KNOW that your return preparer is up to speed! Request to see a certificate or some other proof that your tax return preparer has a clue! Wishing you all a safe and audit-free tax season. GM irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Annual-Filing-Season-Program
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:37:38 +0000
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