In what might be viewed as a trickle-down effect from the accounting-related scandals of the past year, the Internal Revenue Service announced this week that it has forged a new Office of Professional Responsibility. Its mandate? To keep a close eye over tax professionals. It replaces the office of the Director of Practice.
The new office will have more than twice the staff of its predecessor and will investigate allegations of misconduct of enrolled agents, attorneys, accountants and other professionals representing taxpayers before the IRS.
Acting IRS commissioner Bob Wenzel said in a statement that the new office highlights the agency’s commitment to ensuring the integrity and honesty of the American tax system.
