IRS seminar today

[S T]

Couldn't agree More

As an EA - I pay for my CPE each year, my NAEA, and local State Chapter, and my 3 year IRS EA registration, registered on EFILE, have had a PTIN # for years, now more Testing and Fees, and now need to Register for a PTIN # and fees.

I realize there are costs involved for implementation, but I feel there should be some consideration for EA's and CPA's that have already met the Standards that IRS is contemplating imposing.

Sandy

[joanmcq]

We EAs & CPAs & preparers in CA & OR have been paying licensing fees and for CPE for years. So quit'cher *****in'. So I might have to pay $75 to re-register my PTIN. BFD. Spread over my client base its less than a buck a client.

[veritas]

Cpa, Ea

CPE, PTIN and BFD.

Pretty much covers all the bases.

[Possi]

underhanded preparers

Am I thick? I just don't see how this is going to weed out the snakes.

I saw several scheisty tax returns in my office. None were properly signed by the preparer and the client didn't know the difference, and probably didn't care. As long as they get a big fat illegal refund, all is good.

I am all FOR getting a designation as a tax preparer. I have always attended CE and am partnered in several professional groups. So, don't get me wrong. I welcome the testing and the mandatory education.

I do not like the IRS thinking they are getting in bed with me and becoming part of my business, and that's what I feel they are doing. Watching every move. They have my PTIN and my SS# and can look at my business if they want to, but I sure don't want to make it any easier for them.

And I sure don't want to share my profits with them any more than I already am... and I share PLENTY with them.

I'm sorry, but the IRfrigginS is not my friend. They cause me headaches, go after honest hard working people, are no help at all when I need it, unwavering on stupid details, and not very smart.

dernIfeelbetter........ahhhhhh

[S T]

Maybe

While I whine and protest as I am already under the IRS "radar scope"through all of my registrations, maybe it is a new database that might be more effective in weeding out some underground or unscrupulous tax preparers. Maybe efiles can't be accomplished without the Registration, CPE and having a "registered" PTIN - we should all be using PTIN numbers instead of SSN or EIN's.

We all know "those preparers exist" and the DOJ/IRS and some States, have been in the news lately of investigating or prosecuting. Fees and testing sometimes due prove to discourage some of these type of people, particularly if there are fines, etc built in.

EITC and now the FTHB credit (fraud) to name only a couple of items, has really brought a lot to light in the last couple years.

Guess time will tell.

Still doesn't make me happy to pay extra fees and have extra testing when I am trying to comply with all the IRS and State Regulations.

Sandy

[BHoffman]

First Line of Defense in Overall Compliance Strategy!

From the IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman:

see complete remarks here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...206382,00.html

"We also have to address one of the big transformational shifts I touched upon earlier: tax preparation. Today 84 percent of taxpayers are using a paid tax preparer or software to complete their returns. And we know the reasons. Tax law complexity. Tax laws that constantly change. And tax returns that take too long to fill out.

So more and more of us collect our information returns and receipts, maybe fill out a questionnaire and make the annual trip to the accountant’s or paid tax preparer’s office.

But I am convinced that the IRS can do more to make good use of what has become an integral part of our tax administration system. After all, these tax professionals play a key role in both tax education and compliance. Just as a doctor can advise a patient about the importance of prevention to a healthy life, so can a tax preparer educate his or her clients about the importance of tax compliance to long-term financial health, such as a good credit rating.

I believe the IRS has to do a better job working with the tax preparer community and making them part of our overall compliance strategy. They can be our first line of defense against non-compliance and stop a small problem from becoming a big one."

[veritas]

In other words

From the IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman:

see complete remarks here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...206382,00.html

"We also have to address one of the big transformational shifts I touched upon earlier: tax preparation. Today 84 percent of taxpayers are using a paid tax preparer or software to complete their returns. And we know the reasons. Tax law complexity. Tax laws that constantly change. And tax returns that take too long to fill out.

So more and more of us collect our information returns and receipts, maybe fill out a questionnaire and make the annual trip to the accountant’s or paid tax preparer’s office.

But I am convinced that the IRS can do more to make good use of what has become an integral part of our tax administration system. After all, these tax professionals play a key role in both tax education and compliance. Just as a doctor can advise a patient about the importance of prevention to a healthy life, so can a tax preparer educate his or her clients about the importance of tax compliance to long-term financial health, such as a good credit rating.

I believe the IRS has to do a better job working with the tax preparer community and making them part of our overall compliance strategy. They can be our first line of defense against non-compliance and stop a small problem from becoming a big one."

The federal government can't stop another leak.

[Lion]

Exactly why it's a BFD

Exactly, Joan, I' already have the test passed (EA) and already take/pay for much education each year and already have a PTIN that the IRS can track. So, what's in it for me? Nothing. I have to pay, maybe $300, and I get nothing that I don't already have. Now, if it would really rid our profession of the bad apples, I might not mind paying a surcharge. But, new regulations aren't going to get rid of people who don't care about regulations anyway, who don't live by the regulations, and don't prepare tax returns by the regulations. So, I do resent the IRS requiring me to pay to stay in business. I grew up around Chicago and remember neighbors who had to pay to protect their businesses from the bad guys. That didn't end well. I may not get my lumber yard burned down, but it will be a lot like losing my liquor license if I don't pay the IRS to keep my PTIN.

[S T]

If only they really believe

Then if this quote is true, why are they "attacking" the "Professionals" with EA and CPA licenses so hard, and even those unlicensed tax preparers that are trying to comply?

From B Hoffmans post

But I am convinced that the IRS can do more to make good use of what has become an integral part of our tax administration system. After all, these tax professionals play a key role in both tax education and compliance. Just as a doctor can advise a patient about the importance of prevention to a healthy life, so can a tax preparer educate his or her clients about the importance of tax compliance to long-term financial health, such as a good credit rating.

I believe the IRS has to do a better job working with the tax preparer community and making them part of our overall compliance strategy. They can be our first line of defense against non-compliance and stop a small problem from becoming a big one."

Sandy

[dyne]

Attention JohnH:

I encourage you to NOT retire or close your tax business anytime soon. You are TOO young and smart and knowledgable to give up. I have never known you to be wrong in any of your posts on the message boards. After 48 years dealing with taxes, I still make mistakes or become confused as I did recently regarding Section 1022. I recommend that you take the goverment test and even better take the EA test and become enrolled. You should pass these easily. I will be 74 years old next month and am tempted to retire but I LOVE what I do and imagine you do too. These problems WILL pass. I thank you for all of your good advice. Hang in there. Fred. EA.

[Black Bart]

I

Attention JohnH:

I encourage you to NOT retire or close your tax business anytime soon. You are TOO young and smart and knowledgable to give up...

second the motion. I b'lieve ever'body would appreciate it if you'd stick around.

I have never known you to be wrong...

Well..ummm..I wouldn't go that far.

[Black Bart]

But...but..Joan..

We EAs & CPAs & preparers in CA & OR have been paying licensing fees and for CPE for years. So quit'cher *****in'...

Ever'body knows y'all folks in "progressive" states are used to confiscatory fees/taxes, but, see, we red staters aren't used to a state government boot on our necks and you've gotta cut us a little slack 'til we get acclimatized to this federal boot. Just let us carry on for a while and then we'll go along peaceably.

[JohnH]

second the motion. I b'lieve ever'body would appreciate it if you'd stick around.



Well..ummm..I wouldn't go that far.

Fred & Bart:

Gosh, I'm flattered by the comments from both of you about sticking around.

But Bart's right - there are plenty of places I've been wrong. That's one of the many things I enjoy about this forum - it's OK to be wrong (provided somebody cares enough to take time to correct us and we are smart enough to learn from our mistakes)

[BHoffman]

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3744.pdf

See Objective 4 on Page 10. The IRS has decided it has the right to claim a senior partnership position in every tax preparation firm in the US. Not sure how that is going to play out. I don't want to be a junior member. They typically work like dogs, get paid peanuts, and get all of the blame when the senior partner makes mistakes. Heads roll.

This strategy will only work if the IRS can ultimately eliminate the small tax practitioner. Government is strictly Top Down management. From the IRS point of view, a few large tax prep firms will be manageable. Many small firms are out of its control. Therefore, it is imposing this additional cost, requirements, etc. to discourage the sole practitioner. I think the IRS believes the sole practitioner is vermin.

I also believe the IRS would love a mandated standard tax software and mandated efiling. One tax software program that will create an immense data base of information, all automatically downloaded via efile. All of the nifty new 1099 forms.

What would you do if you were in charge of making the IRS more efficient?

If I were in charge of making the IRS efficient, I would do these things. They make sense. Consolidate the preparers in order to better inform (control) them. Standardize the reporting so that the data can be more easily mined. Efile only to eliminate costs and IRS errors. Automate as much of the process as possible. Go as paperless as possible.

[Peachie]

As an EA I don't think you

Still doesn't make me happy to pay extra fees and have extra testing when I am trying to comply with all the IRS and State Regulations.

Sandy

you have to test Sandy unless I misunderstood what was said. Also, seems the IRS plans to reverse many of the fees EAs will have to pay since you do have to pay for your memberships to other organizations.

Peachie