Friday, June 05, 2009

IRS to regulate tax preparers

We support this position being considered by the governement in an effort to reduce the amount of revenues lost due to poor regulation as well as the erroneous over taxation of individuals due to preparers relying too heavily on tax software and not questioning if there might be a different option under the tax code. Too often I have seen preparers relying on the tax software they are given without understanding the workings of the tax code. With hundreds of tax software packages in existense I feel preparers should be well versed in the tax code.
The IRS is working on new rules that could require paid tax preparers to be licensed to improve tax compliance and reduce fraud. A large portion of taxpayers get help with their returns, either from paid preparers or computer programs. Tax preparers currently don't have to be licensed, unless they represent clients in proceedings before the Internal Revenue Service.