In light of recent changes to the rules that guide practitoner conduct, the Internal Revenue Service will host a Webcast next week focusing on the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility and Circular 230.
The Office of Professional Responsibility investigates allegations of misconduct or negligence against tax practitioners, and enforces the standards of practice for those who represent taxpayers before the IRS. It also licenses enrolled agents. The IRS in December unveiled new regulations to Circular 230 as part of ongoing efforts to improve ethical standards for tax professionals and to curb abusive tax avoidance transactions.
The Webcast will include comments from IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson, who will talk about the key role practitioners can play in effective tax administration. Everson will be joined by OPR director Cono R. Namorato and deputy director Steve Whitlock, who will provide an overview of Circular 230 and the role and responsibility of the OPR.
Panelists from the practitioner community include Larry L. Gray, CPA; Mary E. McGuire, EA, of Anderson Kill & Olick PC; and Ronald M. Wiener, a tax partner at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP. The panel will discuss and provide examples of how the rules of Circular 230 and the OPR apply in real-life situations that practitioners may encounter.
The free Webcast is scheduled for May 10 from 2 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. EDT. Viewers can register online at
