There is no set date yet but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is already preparing for what is guaranteed to be a difficult tax season. Considering that the current Tax Code is “very complex” made more complicated in 2014 with additional FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), IRS Commissioner John Koskinen says that many taxpayers may select for a tax professional this season. With an spike in in complexity and an increase in scams directed at tax payers, it is, he states,“ more important than ever to choose wisely.”
Previous week, Commissioner Koskinen held a press conference with input from representatives from the National Association of Enrolled Agents; the National Society of Tax Professionals; the National Association of Tax Professionals; the National Society of Accountants; the National Conference of CPA Practitioners; The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; The American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants; and The Council for Electronic Revenue Communication Advancement to exchange ideas on tax preparation options available to taxpayers. Regarding the professionals, Commissioner argued, “Tax Professionals are a vital link with American taxpayers, and without them we could not run the nation’s tax system.”
To support taxpayers, the IRS has created a new partner page on its website which puts out information on various organizations that may be able to provide tax preparation services. The page is not there to endorse any specific group of preparers. Instead, it is intended to educate taxpayers about tax preparation options. Commissioner Koskinen said, about the page, “We want taxpayers to understand the different types and categories of tax return preparers available to help them with their tax issues.”
This page is therefore NOT a directory of tax preparers: that directory is yet to be available.
The much-anticipated directory will include the information of those professionals who have registered with the IRS and have a valid Preparer Tax Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). With this directory, tax preparer can be sorted by name, city, state and zip. Additionally to the usual suspects (such as CPAs, attorneys, Enrolled Actuaries and Enrolled Agents).
It is expected the directory to be up and running to coincide with the start of the 2015 tax season in January 2015.
Of course, not all taxpayers will opt for a tax professional this year. No matter which option you select, Commissioner Koskinen offers, choose wisely!
No comments yet.