My Tax Blog

  • E-file Shutting Down November 18th

    Shutdown begins on Saturday, November 18th, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, in order to prepare the system for the upcoming Tax Year 2020 Filing Season. Any returns not in accepted status will either need to be mailed or e-filed after e-filing turns on for the upcoming tax season in January.  ***Revision to the e-file […]

    Get Your 2021 PTIN

    IRS.gov/ptin is open for renewals for the coming year. Log into or, if you’re a new preparer, create your PTIN account, verify personal information, and pay for your PTIN. Payment is now required again after many years of no charge. Pay the $35.95 renewal fee via credit/debit/ATM card or eCheck. Upon completion of your application […]

    Final Round of ITIN Expirations & Renewals

    Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, ITINs that have not been used on a federal tax return at least once in the last three consecutive years and those issued before 2013 will expire. This year ITINs with middle digits 88 will expire Dec. 31, 2020. Additionally, ITINs with middle digits 90, 91, […]

    Federal Direct Tax Preparation Training

    Having a well-rounded training program is important for any tax office, but it is vital for a tax office looking to penetrate the market. Independent tax offices have several areas of training on which to focus. No one comes to a tax professional with the easy stuff! They come to you because you are versed […]

  • IRS ITIN policy changes released 8/4/2016

    ITINs issued before 2013 will expire 12/31/2016.  Renewal process will open October 1st, 2016.  To identify if an ITIN was issued prior to 2013, the first individuals in this group are ITINs with 78 or 79 as the middle digits.    ITINs that have not been used on a US tax return for the past […]

    PTIN Price Change & Other PTIN Updates

    In years past the cost of a new PTIN or renewing a PTIN was $64.25 or $63 respectively. However, the price has recently changed and may stay at this new price point for an undetermined period of time. The new cost, whether applying for a new PTIN or renewing your PTIN, will be the same, […]

    Annual Filing Season Program CE Certification

    How Do I Obtain the AFSP – Record of Completion? • Take eighteen (18) credit hours of Continuing Education, comprised of: – Six (6) hours of Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course that covers filing for the tax year and includes a knowledge-based, open book comprehension test administered at the end of the course through […]

    1040 Extension Deadline Approaching 10/15

    Do not forget that if you filed an extension for additional time to file, the deadline is fast approaching. You will be able to file returns for a while longer but your client may face additional penalties as a result of the delay. Play it safe, and file before the deadline, or, if nothing else, […]

    Stopping Tax Offenders and Prosecuting (STOP) Identity Theft Bill of 2014

    Identity theft is a problem that affects millions of Americans and that nondescript number is growing exponentially. Years ago, there were fewer people filing fewer fraudulent returns, but now, with the ease of e-file and the lax security of some office’s document retention procedures, there are thousands of people who have built a type of […]

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