The Internal Revenue Service wants to make sure tax preparers are held to high standards. By the end of the year it hopes to tighten requirements for tax preparers.
The federal government regulates who can represent clients before the IRS in a certain situations. But, for the most part, employees at tax preparation firms and volunteers at tax prep clinics don’t fall into that category. When it comes to who can fill out tax forms, IRS Spokesman Dan Boone says there are few rules.
“Right now, anybody can pretty much hang out their shingle and become a tax preparer. Certainly, some of those folks who do that are good, but we always encourage people when they’re seeking a tax preparer to go to someone who has good credentials.”
The IRS wants to define what those credentials should be. By year’s end, the agency may institute rules or require some sort of license.
Regulations could protect against errors and misuse of personal and financial information. It could also hurt efforts to offer free assistance during tax season.
Before drawing up regulations, the agency wants to hear about the strengths and weaknesses of the current system. It’s asking both for stories about using a tax preparer and ideas for implementing standards. The public comment period runs through the end of this month.
The email address for comments is [email protected]
Letters may be sent to
CCPA:LPD:PR (Notice 2009-60)
Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 7604
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044
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