PTIN Application

[Brian EA]

Paid preparer identification number application form no longer on IRS website: In last Thursday’s Newsstand e-mail 9/23/2010, we carried an article about the new Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application, that had been posted on the IRS website. The IRS said that the form would replace Form W-7P, Application for Preparer Tax Identification Number. A day or two after our article appeared, the IRS removed the Form W-12 from its website. Now, when you click the link to the form (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw12.pdf) you are taken to a note that says the form will be back on the IRS website soon. The IRS web page called Return Preparer Regulations - Getting Started can still be accessed at http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=221009,00.html to view information on the new rules.

FUNNY; VERY FUNNY

[JohnH]

I still don't understand what the hurry is all about, at least from our side. Seems to me that if IRS can bumble & stumble along long enough, they'll decide to give themselves an extension;. If we're lucky, maybe they'll decide to postpone implementation of the whole process after another six months or even a year of additional delay.

We should learn from the legal profession - it isn't in the interest of lawyers or their clients to make the court system efficient. They intentionally delay & obstruct in order to gain a better outcome for their clients (and for their own bank accounts).

[dtlee]

The online site is up again at:

https://rpr.irs.gov

You need to create a Login ID and password specifically for the annual PTIN application process. Once you create this account, you can then apply for or refresh your PTIN. To create the Login ID and password, go to that page and select the link that looks like this:

Begin Here For PTIN Sign-up

There you give them your name and email address and (optionally) select a user name. (You apparently can either choose to use your email address as your Login ID or select a user name.) Once you have entered the information, the IRS will email you a temporary password to use to log in and change the password.

Once you have changed the password, you can sign up for a PTIN (it will try to re-issue the same PTIN but there are no guarantees). You log in and select "PTIN Sign-Up" under "Functions" and then provide them with the information they request.

There is a problem with the CAF Number entry. It expects 8 digits plus the letter "R" and should be accepting 9 digits plus the letter "R" (No, it won't accept just the 9 digits without the "R"). The help desk says to leave it blank since it can be updated later and if the number is entered wrong, you will need to restart the application from the beginning.

The Help Desk number is 877-613-7846 or 877-613-PTIN.

[tpnl]

Better to do it now . . .

before the year end rush and the system crashes. I know some people will wait, but i am done.

[Uncle Sam]

PTIN Help Desk Number

When you connect - all you get is music - THEN a poorly audible voice message - then music again.

[AZ-Tax]

So what happens to my PTIN that I already have?

As I understand, I need to go in and create an acct to either obtain a "new" PTIN or "renew" my current PTIN. Assuming I dont create my acct till Nov 1st. Do I risk loosing my current PTIN the longer I wait?

[Jiggers]

No guarantee of old PTIN

As I understand, I need to go in and create an acct to either obtain a "new" PTIN or "renew" my current PTIN. Assuming I dont create my acct till Nov 1st. Do I risk loosing my current PTIN the longer I wait?

There is no guarantee that you will get the same PTIN, even though we were assured in the past that we were.

Also, there are some glitches in trying to get the PTIN.

I gave up and will wait some time in the future to try again!

[dtlee]

As I understand, I need to go in and create an acct to either obtain a "new" PTIN or "renew" my current PTIN. Assuming I dont create my acct till Nov 1st. Do I risk loosing my current PTIN the longer I wait?

I really do not think the timing matters.

As I understand it, no matter what you do, you risk losing your current PTIN. I have heard many people say that you will get to keep your PTIN (except the IRS). From the IRS, I keep hearing that if the data you enter matches what you have on file for your current PTIN, they will use the same PTIN. However, there is no way to find out exactly what they have on file for your current PTIN.

Informal survey shows that somewhere over 50% of the people have managed to keep their PTIN when they used the system.

[Mike Mac]

Got my number today

The process is simple but still kind of a pain. About a half hour after I started and $64.25 poorer, I did end up with the same PTIN that I had before. I noticed the expiration date for the number is 9/30/11. I wonder if I waited until next month it would have been 10/31/11?

At least I'm done with that part for another year.

[FEDUKE404]

More info

See post #13 on http://www.thetaxbook.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15690

(Apparently the system is now up and running per post by Mike Mac.

FE

[FEDUKE404]

Success !!!

This evening I went through the IRS gauntlet, spent my $64.25, and my "old" PTIN is now apparently valid through 09/30/2011. ( Curious: What happens if I have a late extension to file next year?? )

The process was somewhat slow - either the IRS computers cannot handle it or too many users? - but far simpler than the mess I had to go through earlier in the year to get a "magic number" for the State of NY. (I may not even bother to renew that one.... )

All in all, not very much trouble although I will have to recoup that $64.

FE

[Jesse]

Hmmmmm......

How long did it take for your confirmation?

I went thru the process yesterday afternoon and my credit card has been charged but I have not received confirmation.

Are they searching for my old PTIN?

Or doing a criminal background check to see if I'm worthy?

[Redneck]

Same thing here

How long did it take for your confirmation?

I went thru the process yesterday afternoon and my credit card has been charged but I have not received confirmation.

Are they searching for my old PTIN?

Or doing a criminal background check to see if I'm worthy?

But I received a confirmation email but not a PTIN. When I go back to the website it tells me my application is open.

I guess I will get it today sometime.

Red

[Jesse]

When I checked my status it states: Application submitted but the fee cannot be determined.

I received my temporary password by email, but I have not received any email confirmation after submitting the application.

[Uncle Sam]

PTIN Application

This is the most botched up system IRS has ever come out with.

After yesterday's glitches - I tried this morning.
It's better than it was - the CAF problem has been corrected.

However, the system doesn't accept zip+4 even though it provides field space for +4.

If the zip code+4 isn't accepted - the error message doesn't inform you of it until 2 screens later.

EAs are now able to identify jurisdiction as United States rather than their state.

When you get all through entering and answering questions - you get a screen to review - to check your data entered to the questions - it's there you'll get a message
"We are experiencing technical difficulties, cancel the registration".
(Why couldn't they have told you that at the beginning?)

Calling the hotline number they give you - you only get the message
"Sorry-we're experiencing difficulties, try again later" - no option to leave a message.

As I said - this has to be the most botched up system IRS has come up with yet.