IRS Launches Tax Return Preparer — 1209 Publ 4832 (PDF)

IR-2009-57, June 4, 2009

WASHINGTON — IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced today that by the end of 2009, he will propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the Internal Revenue Service better leverage the tax return preparer community with the twin goals of increasing taxpayer compliance and ensuring uniform and high ethical standards of conduct for tax preparers.

Some of the potential recommendations could focus on a new model for the regulation of tax return preparers; service and outreach for return preparers; education and training of return preparers; and enforcement related to return preparer misconduct. The Commissioner will submit recommendations to the Treasury Secretary and the President by the end of the year.

“Tax return preparers help Americans with one of their biggest financial transactions each year. We must ensure that all preparers are ethical, provide good service and are qualified,” Shulman said. “At the end the day, tax preparers and the associated industry must be part of our overall game plan to strengthen the integrity of the tax system.”

The first part of this groundbreaking effort will involve fact finding and receiving input from a large and diverse constituent community that includes those that are licensed by state and federal authorities – such as enrolled agents, lawyers and accountants – as well as unlicensed tax preparers and software vendors. The effort will also seek input and dialog with consumer groups and taxpayers.

“We plan to have a transparent and open dialogue about the issues,” Shulman said. “At this early and critical stage of the process, we need to hear from the broadest possible range of stakeholders.”

Later this year, the IRS plans to hold a number of open meetings in Washington and around the country with constituent groups.

More information, including schedules and agendas for public meetings, will be posted on the “Tax Professionals” page on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov, and will be communicated to stakeholder groups.

APPENDIX B

Tax Preparer Review; Public Forums to Gather Input this Summer

IR-2009-66, July 14, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a series of public forums at which individuals and representatives of diverse constituent groups will be able to provide input on the development of tax preparer performance standards.

The public forums, a crucial part of an effort launched in June by IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman to help ensure tax preparers are qualified, ethical and provide a high level of service, will kick off on July 30 in Washington, D.C.

“These public meetings will be an important part of the dialogue as we move toward a set of comprehensive recommendations by the end of this year,” Shulman said. “We want an open discussion on how to strengthen the overall integrity of our tax system.”

Two panels are scheduled for a forum on July 30. The first panel will give consumer groups an opportunity to provide recommendations. These groups include the AARP, Consumer Federation of America, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, National Community Tax Coalition and Low Income Tax Clinics.

The second panel will be made up of tax professional groups, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Association of Tax Professionals and the National Society of Accountants.

The two panels will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building amphitheater in Washington starting at 9 a.m. on July 30. People interested in attending should confirm attendance by sending an email message to: CL.NPL.Communications@irs.gov.

The IRS also plans to convene meetings with other constituent groups later this summer and fall. Input will be sought from:

Federal and state organizations
IRS advisory groups, including the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Committee (IRSAC),

the Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC), the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC), the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) and the Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT)

Unaffiliated and individual tax preparers and groups
Private firms that support tax preparers

The dates and locations of these meetings will be announced as they become available. Small groups of tax preparers will also have the opportunity this summer to meet with IRS representatives to present their ideas at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums.

The Nationwide Tax Forums this year include: Orlando, Aug. 4-6; New York, Aug. 25-27; Dallas, Sept. 810; and Atlanta, Sept. 22-24.

APPENDIX C

IRS Seeks Public Comment for Proposals to Boost

Tax Preparer Performance Standards

IR-2009-68, July 24, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is inviting the public to contribute ideas as part of an effort to ensure high performance standards for all tax preparers.

Last month, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced plans to develop by year-end a comprehensive set of proposals to ensure consistent standards for tax preparer qualifications, ethics and service. Subsequently, the IRS announced a series of public forums, beginning in Washington, D.C., on July 30, to gather input from various stakeholder groups and organizations.

Two panel discussions involving representatives of consumer groups and tax professional organizations will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building amphitheater in Washington starting at 9 a.m. on July 30. Anyone interested in attending should confirm attendance by sending an e-mail message to: CL.NPL.Communications@irs.gov.