IRS Reminds Non-Credentialed Return Preparers of 2016 Limits On Practice

Following up on its June of 2014 announcement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently reminded non-credentialed tax returns preparers of changes that will take effect January 1, 2016. These rules affect all tax return preparers who are not Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants or Attorneys (Credentialed Preparers). Credentialed Preparers are exempt since they already have annual mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirements from their licensing boards.

The program is designed to ensure that non-credentialed preparers have sufficient knowledge to adequately prepare tax return for others. It requires completion of Continuing Education courses. Those who have not completed the training by December 31, 2015 will lose the ability to assist their customers in the event something is challenged or goes wrong with a return they prepared. Even then, the ability of non-credentialed preparers to represent a customer with problems is limited.

To assist the public in determining whether the person who does their tax return will be able to assist in the future should something go wrong, the IRS will be publishing a listing, known as the Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications.

While we applaud the IRS for protecting the public through this procedure, thus ensuring at least a minimal ability to prepare returns and then protect customers, with other than routine tax situations, we recommend that taxpayers search out qualified Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants or Attorneys to assist them with their taxation needs.These Credentialed Preparers can assist you without restriction.