Kipingler Tax Letter July 2, 2015

[taxea]

there are several IRS approved Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) courses being offered on-line by various tax cpe training companies.

[JSLATER]

Last page interesting news about IRS trying to make life even rougher for the un-enrolled preparers. Can an un-enrolled preparer watch live webinars w/o quizzes to satisfy their 18 hours?

"How do I obtain an AFSP – Record of Completion?
Take 18 hours of continuing education from IRS-Approved CE Providers, including:
a six (6) hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course that covers filing season issues and tax law updates, as well as a knowledge-based comprehension test administered at the end of the course by the CE Provider;
ten (10) hours of other federal tax law topics; and
two (2) hours of ethics.
Have an active preparer tax identification number (PTIN).
Consent to adhere to specific practice obligations outlined in Subpart B and section 10.51 of Treasury Department Circular No. 230."

[FEDUKE404]

Obtaining IRS guidelines

Kipingler requires a log-in; without one we can't read the article

The Kiplinger newsletter is available online to paid subscribers. Excerpt from the current three-sentence "article" within the multi-topic newsletter: ". . .They’ll lose the ability to represent their clients in audits or claims for refund on returns that they prepare and sign after 2015. Only folks in the voluntary program will be allowed to do so. . ."

The IRS is having to transition from the RTRP program to the replacement AFSP program.

A good start to answering the questions raised can begin here:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-...sked-Questions

Reading between the lines, it would appear the relevant restrictions involve "continuing education from an IRS-approved CE Provider" or something similar.

FE

[ATSMAN]

Last page interesting news about IRS trying to make life even rougher for the un-enrolled preparers. Can an un-enrolled preparer watch live webinars w/o quizzes to satisfy their 18 hours?

IRS already made it tough for un-enrolled preparers starting next year. Before you could deal with IRS on returns that you prepared, no more!

[taxea]

Kipingler requires a log-in; without one we can't read the article

[AZ-Tax]

Last page interesting news about IRS trying to make life even rougher for the un-enrolled preparers. Can an un-enrolled preparer watch live webinars w/o quizzes to satisfy their 18 hours?