PTIN and Big Box Tax Prep

[taxea]

It isn't the title that makes one more qualified...it is the quality of the work done.

[Davc]

I think it is rather pathetic that one would consider a person eminently more qualified because of a title.

If anyone who is an EA is eminently more qualified than the average HRB or other big box preparer does that mean that anyone that is a CPA is eminently more qualified than your average EA?

No, CPAs have no requirement for CPE in taxation.

[Jesse]

I think it is rather pathetic that one would consider a person eminently more qualified because of a title.

If anyone who is an EA is eminently more qualified than the average HRB or other big box preparer does that mean that anyone that is a CPA is eminently more qualified than your average EA?

[MLINDER42]

Hrb Training

I second that comment.I wish sometimes I could take some of their seminars I found them very good.I also enjoyed taking a test at the end to see how much I really understood.

[jimenright]

I am also a former HRB employee and an EA.

I now prepare taxes on my own. I did not like the many of the policies and procedures in place at HRB. I did not like paying even a nominal charge for my HRB training. However, I consider the training courses I received at HRB to be the best, most comprehensive training in taxes I have ever received. A lot depends on the instructor, but even with a poor instructor, the materials were adequate to provide good training. The training was much better than I have received from seminars, correspondence courses, etc. since leaving HRB several years ago.

[Lion]

Anyone who is an EA is eminenhtly more qualified than the average HRB or other big box preparer.

I am not sure about other states training but my experience with Hawaii HRB training is that, unless things have changed drastically, it is woefully inadequate.

I am an EA and was an HRB employee for 11 years, so I'm obviously NOT eminently more qualified than myself. I was the newest preparer in my office for those 11 years, so I would consider even the non-EAs in my office more qualified than myself.

My colleagues and I had 66 hours of tax classes plus a whole lot of HRB specific training plus an update course before HRB allowed us to prepare returns. And, I had a minimum of 30 credits a year to remain certified at HRB. A new RTRP can be less well prepared, but not at HRB.

[MLINDER42]

Ptin

HRB corporate offices each preparer will have to pass the test themselves.Each franchisee will have to make their own decision based on their own qualifications.I also will have to make a decision based on how many of my preparers pass the test.The majority of our returns are EITC W-2 returns which they do very well.I review every return before it is filed.

[taxea]

Why would you want to hear from Block employees? In an earlier thread you stated that you were "eminently more qualified" than those preparers.

I've worked for Block since 1995. I became an EA in 1998. I have to have at least 30 hrs of CPE each year to continue working there. But based on your evaluation, I couldn't possibly give you any assisstance.

Anyone who is an EA is eminenhtly more qualified than the average HRB or other big box preparer.

I am not sure about other states training but my experience with Hawaii HRB training is that, unless things have changed drastically, it is woefully inadequate.

I appreciate all who have posted what they have done as a requirement of their employer. I am only interested in whether employees of bbb's are now required to take the IRS test.

[taxea]

Yes, all H&R Block tax preparers (except EAs, CPAs and lawyers) will have to take the IRS test.

Thank you Gary, you have answered my question.

[joanmcq]

The IRS regulations for RTP state that state tests do not exempt anyone from the IRS competency exam. Have you been told differently?

I think what Origun was saying was that since he/she is in a state with a stringent licensing requirement (the most stringent of all the states) that all of the preparers have already passed, that the IRS exam shouldn't be a problem. CA preparers have already also passed an exam, and already need to get more CPE than under the IRS requirements, but will also still have to take the IRS exams. But at least they have already had to prove some level of competency.

From the returns I've seen, the preparer at HRB, JH et al sign the returns they prepare. The exemption for CPA firms was, I think, lobbied hard because at least at the firm I worked for, the partner signed the return after final review. I might have prepared the return, but not only did a manager closely review it, but the partner did as well.

Of course, that way the partner got to charge the big bucks......lol.

[MLINDER42]

Ptin's

I worked for HRB corporate offices for 2 years I can not see how every individual preparer will
not have to pass the test themselves.They do not pay anyone enough to check and sign other peoples returns.I am an EA and run a large independent tax office I have discussed with the owner what we will do if a preparer does not pass or we do not have enough preparers that do pass.We have not made a decision.

[Gary]

Test

Yes, all H&R Block tax preparers (except EAs, CPAs and lawyers) will have to take the IRS test.

[WhiteOleander]

I would like to hear from employees of HRB and the like as to whether they are required to follow the new registered preparer rules or whether they are exempt due to where they work.

I have heard it both ways and would like to confirm which is true.

How about it all you Block, Liberty, etc employees...please enlighten me

Why would you want to hear from Block employees? In an earlier thread you stated that you were "eminently more qualified" than those preparers.

I've worked for Block since 1995. I became an EA in 1998. I have to have at least 30 hrs of CPE each year to continue working there. But based on your evaluation, I couldn't possibly give you any assisstance.

[origun]

CPEs for BBB

I work for HRB which has more stringent requirements for CPEs than the new federal rules. For years we have been required to have 24 hours of CPEs for rehire although almost everyone I know has had many more than that. Those much include ethics and update hours.

[newbie]

The IRS regulations for RTP state that state tests do not exempt anyone from the IRS competency exam. Have you been told differently?

Newbie:
This is what 11-6 says:
Phase 2: Pass IRS Competency Exam (begins fall 2011)
In the fall of 2011, the second phase of the paid preparer oversight program is scheduled to begin. You must pass an exam to demonstrate your competency to prepare federal tax returns. Once you pass the exam, you will become an IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer.

Exceptions — the following individuals will be exempt from testing:

Attorneys, certified public accountants, and enrolled agents who are active and in good standing with their licensing agency
Supervised preparers (those who do not sign returns but are employed by attorney or CPA firms or other recognized firms at least 80 percent owned by attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled agents, and who are directly supervised by an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent) *
Those who prepare no Form 1040 series returns

This does not appear to apply to big box businesses. Which is, again, why I am trying to verify what the bbb employees understand to be the regulations.

Newbie do you work for one of these bbb's?

These "bbb" offices stand individually on their own merit so it would be a case by case basis. The "bbb" on your corner might qualify but the "bbb" on my corner does not. Or could it be to get a franchise you must meet certain qualifications in which case every office in a certain "bbb" chain will have qualifying exempt employees?

I would like to hear from employees of HRB and the like as to whether they are required to follow the new registered preparer rules or whether they are exempt due to where they work.

I have heard it both ways and would like to confirm which is true.

How about it all you Block, Liberty, etc employees...please enlighten me

Anywho - don't rely on hearsay - no one is exempt due to "where they work", but only if they work for a qualifying firm with a supervisor willing to sign the prepared return.