IRS Schedules Tax Preparer Regulation Forums

The Internal Revenue Service plans to hold a series of public forums this summer to get input on regulating tax preparers.

The IRS announced last month that it intends to propose a comprehensive set of recommendations by the end of this year to ensure uniform and high ethical standards of conduct for tax preparers (see IRS Plans to Step Up Tax Preparer Regulation). At the time, the IRS said that it would be seeking input on the proposals from various constituents, including enrolled agents, lawyers, accountants, unlicensed tax preparers and software vendors. Now the IRS is launching a series of public forums starting on July 30 in Washington, D.C.

“These public meetings will be an important part of the dialogue as we move toward a set of comprehensive recommendations by the end of this year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in a statement. “We want an open discussion on how to strengthen the overall integrity of our tax system.”

Two panels are scheduled for the July 30 forum. The first panel will give consumer groups such as the AARP, the Consumer Federation of America, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the National Community Tax Coalition and Low Income Tax Clinics an opportunity to provide recommendations. The second panel will be made up of tax professional groups, including the American Institute of CPAs, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Association of Tax Professionals and the National Society of Accountants.

The two panels will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building amphitheater in Washington starting at 9 a.m. on July 30. People interested in attending should confirm their attendance by e-mailing CL.NPL.Communications@irs.gov.

The IRS also plans to convene meetings with other constituent groups later this summer and fall, including unaffiliated and individual tax preparers and groups, private firms that support tax preparers, and IRS advisory groups.

The dates and locations of the additional meetings will be announced. Small groups of tax preparers will also have the opportunity this summer to meet with IRS representatives to present their ideas at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums scheduled for Orlando, Aug. 4-6; New York, Aug. 25-27; Dallas, Sept. 8-10; and Atlanta, Sept. 22-24.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Tax practice
MORE FROM ACCOUNTING TODAY