100,000 Tax Preparers to be target by the IRS for PTIN violations in 2010 season

The IRS has began sending letters to about 100,000 tax return preparers who either used outdated PTINs or used social security numbers instead of a PTIN when filing returns this past tax season. The letters explain the new oversight program, inform preparers of how to register for a new PTIN, or renew an old PTIN, and where to get assistance.

Also in a measure to try to identify preparers that are leaving their information off of the returns they preparer entirely, the IRS is contacting taxpayers and asking if anyone assisted them in preparing their returns.  The IRS is contacting these taxpayers via mail in attempt to identify these fraudulent preparers and to bring them to task.