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 [...]

The IRS’ PTIN website for renewing and obtaining Preparer Tax Identification Numbers has been a challenge this year, to say the least.  Ever since mid December, the PTIN site has been briken and under maintenance more than it has been up.  New PTIN applicants have not been able to complete the process and pay for [...]

Due to previously scheduled maintenance on IRS systems, the PTIN system will be unavailable for NEW applications from 5:00 PM ET on Friday, December 23 until approximately 9:00 AM ET on Monday, January 9. Preparers are still able to renew existing PTINs during this window. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

The IRS has their preparers test in place and is now scheduling for preparers to take the examination.  To avoid having to take the examination prior to Dec 31st, 2013 preparers must act soon.  2011 PTINs expire on December 31st, 2011, and are now scheduled to expire on the close of each calender year going [...]

Along with the slew of changes and new regulations that have come down from the IRS and the Registered Return Preparers Office over the past 2 years was a provision mandating that all registered tax return preparers be fingerprinted.  IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman, stated yesterday that the fingerprinting requirement associated with registering all tax return [...]

PTIN renewal for the coming tax season is now available.  The 2011 system was made operational October 20th.  All paid tax return preparers must obtain or renew Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If you have a PTIN that was issued in 2010, the renewal fee is $63.00.  If you are applying for the first time, [...]

As well as registering with the IRS on a federal level NY state tax return preparers must also register with the New York Department of Finance and Taxation.  You must register if you are a tax preparer who prepares at least 1 New York state tax return, or if you will be offering bank product [...]

Provisional PTINs: available through 4/18/2012.  This means that you WILL be able to get a PTIN prior to completing the preparers examination up to this date.  If you already have a PTIN, you will need to renew that PTIN for a fee of $64.25 after October 15th, 2011 for the coming tax season.  You will [...]

For anyone who has not heard the deadline for avoiding having to take the RTRP Examination until December 2013 is October 1st.  Federal Direct can assist you get your PTIN now, but if you delay, you will experience multiple additional charges and an examination before you can preparer taxes this year!  If you do not [...]

The IRS issued notice that Tax Preparers who have already been issued a PTIN (preparers tax identification number) will have up until December 31st, 2013, to complete their testing requirement.  The test will be administered at over 260 Prometric locations across the US, and will be partially “open-book”.  The testing facilities will provide copies of [...]