The IRS has made official that they will be delaying the start of the electronic filing season to 1/30/2013.  This relates to 1040, Individual tax returns.  The IRS also indicates that they expect additional delays associated with less common individual forms that they will be releasing a list of later.   We will keep you [...]

The IRS will be sending out approximately 5,000 letters to tax preparers of all designations who filed tax returns with a Schedule C that have a high percentage of traits typically found to have errors. These letters are being sent prior to the tax-filing season. The IRS has acknowledged that they specifically targeted returns that [...]

Our next webinar will be covering General Tax Law Updates for the coming tax season.  The webinar will be hosted next Thursday, September 6th at 5:30pm Eastern.  As always, if you are not able to attend the live webinar, it will be available for archive viewing on your partner portal 24-48 hours after the live [...]

The IRS recently released a statement saying that EFIN applications by paper will no longer be accepted. Effective October 1, 2012, applications to become an IRS e-file provider must be submitted online. The IRS will no longer accept paper e-file applications. Become an e-file provider in 3 easy steps: 1. Create an IRS e-Services account. [...]

Why does it seem that just before something is fully functional and working well that it needs to be changed? The IRS has made several new changes and “improvements” to the online PTIN registration portal. Hopefully, these changes improve it’s capacity in registering and renewing preparers’ PTINs.  Hopefully, there won’t be three weeks just before [...]

Yesterday afternoon, the findings of the investigation of the ITIN Department of the IRS were released in a report that showed blatant and easily detectible fraud. The report finds that the “higher-ups” cared more about processing as many applications as possible, as opposed to properly processing only acceptable ones. The inspector general “found an environment [...]

The IRS announced today that it has put in place new “interim procedures” designed to “help protect the integrity” of the ITIN process.  During this interim period, no ITINs will be accepted or assigned without original documentation, such as passports and birth certificates, or certified copies of these documents from the issuing agency. Even Certifying [...]

If you have a client who is attempting to get ITINs for dependents, he or she must be a parent or use a Power of Attorney form for immediate family (grandparents, brothers, sisters, etc). If your client is an aunt or uncle, the Power of Attorney will not work. In this instance, you will notarize [...]

IRS released new information today highlighting increases in EITC preparer fraud penalties.  The standard monetary penalty has increased from $100 to $500 per compliance issue on returns filed after 12/31/2011.  For more information on avoiding preparer compliance penalties visit the IRS’ EITC Website for more information.  This recent update was just released today, 11/7/2011, and [...]

The IRS announced that they will be continuing their “Knock and Talk” EIC preparer education program, along with sending compliance letters, initiating preparer due dilligence audits, and requiring additional information be attached to all returns claiming EITC.  Prepareres will not notice much differece in the preparation process as now the tax preparation software will submit the EITC checklist [...]