Category: Tax Preparation

Following recent budget cuts, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen announced that a shutdown is currently being considered as one possible way to save the agency money.  He explained, “People call it furloughs; I view it as: Are we going to have to shut the place down? And at this point, that will be the last thing […]

On July 30th, newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Danny Werfel spoke at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum in Dallas, Texas.  There he addressed key IRS accomplishments and struggles while sharing his vision for the Internal Revenue Service as the organization continues to move forward and fulfill its obligations and responsibilities. Werfel took the time to acknowledge […]

December 31st of this year is the last day tax preparers can complete the continuing education (CE) requirements for a new voluntary IRS program intended to help taxpayers determine 2015 return preparer qualifications. According to the press release, “The AFSP Record of Completion allows uncredentialed return preparers who complete required CE to be included in […]

The IRPAC is a federal advisory committee that, using public forums, gathers information regarding reporting issues.  Members of the committee come from a cross-section of individuals from the professional community, including tax professionals, financial institutions, small and large businesses, universities and colleges, and securities and payroll firms. Once a year they submit a report to […]

Three years ago the Internal Revenue Service established the new tax preparer initiative requiring paid preparers to register and secure a PTIN, take a competency test, and engage in 15 hours of continuing education every year.  These requirements were established to provide the IRS with more oversight of the preparer industry while enhancing taxpayer compliance […]

Recently we posted an article updating you on the RTRP Court Ruling as of February 1st, 2013.  The IRS continues to battle the ruling, attempting to advance its case as follows: The IRS took advantage of its right to file an appeal within 60 days from the ruling, and on February 21st, 2013, the Department […]

The IRS is interested in helping Americans save for the future and has taken time to create some guidance that will enable taxpayers to better choose a retirement plan that suits their unique needs. In a March 21, 2012 press release, the IRS detailed four ways they are helping Americans put their savings to better […]

The IRS announced that the 2014 tax season opens on January 31st and ends on April 15th. This start day comes one day later than the opening day last year, partly to give the IRS more time to program and test a new tax processing system. IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel explained, “Our teams have been […]

The National Taxpayer Advocate Submits Mid-End Report to Congress Every year the National Taxpayer Advocate submits a report to Congress identifying priority issues the TSA plans to focus on the upcoming fiscal year.  On June 26th, Nina E. Olson (current National Taxpayer Advocate) released the mid-year report which noted three main concerns: how budget cuts […]

Every year the National Taxpayer Advocate submits a report to Congress identifying the most significant issues encountered by taxpayers.  On December 31st, Nina E. Olson (current National Taxpayer Advocate) released the year-end report which focuses on three main concerns: the need for tax reform, budget increases to aid the IRS in better serving taxpayers and […]

Every year the National Taxpayer Advocate submits a report to Congress identifying the most significant issues encountered by taxpayers.  On January 9th, 2014, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson released the 2013 annual report which focuses on two main concerns: the need for a taxpayer bill of rights and inadequate IRS funding. In regards to […]

We’ve been updating our readers on the status of the RTRP court case for the past few months.  Our last update ran in April.  Here is what’s happened since: May 16, 2013.  The IRS released a statement regarding the refunds for cancelled RTRP scheduled tests: Fee amounts collected for scheduled registered tax return preparer test […]