Note to all offices preparing MN state tax returns – Minnesota has placed their state government offices and agencies on a skeleton schedule while they attempt to pass an acceptable budget.  This state processing shutdown will have an effect on any clients that are currently waiting for a MN state tax refund, as they are [...]

The IRS is moving forward with implementing their testing requirement for tax preparers and they have stated that this will be in place for this coming 2011 tax season, starting January 2012.  One way to postpone having to take the preparer competency examination is to have your PTIN issued prior to the IRS implementing the [...]

Be sure to participate in the mid season Race to St. Patricks Day filing contest.  Cash prizes are awarded to the first and second place offices for return volume relating to both bank products and e-file only returns! For more details see our full promo sheet: Race to St. Patrick’s Day Tax Filing Contest.

The Kansas State offices have been closed since Monday afternoon because of the weather. Our last efile batch retrieval from IRS was Monday morning. We should be back to work Thursday and resume the legacy e-file processing.

H&R Block’s “Free Ez” advertising campaign has got a lot of taxpayers and tax preparers wondering, what is the Catch?  Bloomberg has summed up what the marketing gimmick is all about in an article.  Not many customers can actually file on form 1040EZ and they are also charging for the state returns that must also [...]

Congratulations to T-Tax of Detroit, MI on winning our Tax Office Neon Sign contest.  Thanks to all offices that participated.  Honerable mentions go out to L&S Tax Services and Superior Housing.

Taxpayers who itemize on their federal tax returns will have to wait until at least mid-February to file. The delay is necessary because the IRS needs time to program its systems to accommodate tax breaks included in a compromise tax bill President Obama signed.  To view the full story from the IRS click: http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2010-12-23-tax-delay_N.htm

NY tax return preparers are required to register with the state annually.  The link for this registration is below.  Please be sure to register for this state certificate before the start of the tax season.  Once registered you will receive a New York Tax Preparer Registration Identification Number (NYTPRIN).  This number must be entered all [...]

The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2011 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.  Be aware, these figures are for the coming year, not for taxes being filed next month!  Rates for 2010 were $.50/mile for business purposes. Beginning on [...]

Anyone who has not yet reserved their spot in the Friday web conference, be sure to send an email to support@federaldirecttax.com, and we will send you out a registration email.  The conference is tomorrow, Friday Dec 3rd, at 6:30pm Eastern and will be covering customer refund options including review of the availability of a preseason [...]