IRS Reminds Preparers to Obtain PTINs for 2014 Tax Year.
(Parker Tax Publishing January 2014)

The IRS is reminding professional tax return preparers to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) if they plan to prepare returns in 2014. IR-2013-101 (12/23/13).

The IRS is reminding professional tax return preparers to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) if they plan to prepare returns in 2014. Current PTINs expire December 31, 2013. Anyone, including CPAs and attorneys, who prepares or helps prepare all or substantially all of a federal tax return, claim for refund, or other federal forms for compensation must have a valid PTIN. All enrolled agents also must have a PTIN. Tax professionals can obtain or renew their PTINs at irs.gov/ptin.

OBSERVATION: The IRS temporarily suspended the PTIN program earlier in the year after a D.C. district court's decision in Loving v. U.S., 2013 PTC 10 (D.C. D.C. 2013). After the court clarified its order, the IRS reopened the PTIN program.

Those renewing their PTINs can complete the process in about 15 minutes, according to the IRS. The renewal fee is $63. Tools are available to assist any preparers who have forgotten their user name, password, or email address.

New tax return preparers who are obtaining a first-time PTIN must create an online PTIN account as a first step and then follow directions to obtain a PTIN. Their fee is $64.25.

The annual PTIN requirement is part of the IRS's ongoing effort to enhance tax administration and improve services to taxpayers.

There are approximately 700,000 tax preparers with 2013 PTINs. More than 400,000 have already renewed their PTIN, plus more than 25,000 have obtained a first-time PTIN for 2014.

For a discussion of the PTIN requirement, see Parker Tax ¶275,100. (Staff Contributor Parker Tax Publishing)

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