Carolbeck Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2013) By Michael Cohn The Internal Revenue Service has delayed the 2014 season for renewing Preparer Tax Identification Numbers because of the government shutdown that ended last night. On a Web page that the IRS set up to provide updates on how the shutdown is affecting the agency, the IRS recently added the question, “What is the status of renewing Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN) for 2014?” In response, the IRS stated, “Due to the lapse in government funding, the 2014 PTIN renewal season is delayed. An email or letter will be sent to all current PTIN holders notifying you when the 2014 renewal season opens. The online PTIN system is still available for users to log in and view or change information or to secure a PTIN for 2013. Additional information will be provided on this site as it becomes available.” To access the page for renewing a PTIN for next tax season, click here, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taxed Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I can't understand why taxpreparers are so eager to signup for 2014 so early? If I have to pay I will wait close to the deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_accountant Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 The IRS just had a 16 day paid vacation.... They will be running a little behind this year. I am sure the shutdown will be blamed on all the delays this year.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taxed Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 The shutdown will provide cover for many federal delays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I'd like this thread to stay in the general chat area so that all can see the delay in PTIN renewal. Let's not bring the blame game and politics into it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I'd like this thread to stay in the general chat area so that all can see the delay in PTIN renewal. Let's not bring the blame game and politics into it. Tell me how you separate the two? Oops! will this get me another warning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 No, Jack. lol There was a comment about political strategy regarding the shutdown that didn't belong here so I removed it. If anyone would like to start a related thread about the ongoing effects of the shutdown as it relates to politics in the politics forum, that is OK. If it's something that directly affects tax preparation and what we will be facing as tax preparers, it stays here. There are some original posts like this one that are more of a PSA so that we are aware of a sitch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 The IRS has turned the PTIN into nothing more than a legal way to siphon money out of the pockets of honest tax preparers. Initially, it was simply a way for us to protect our SS#. Another fine example of the best our government agencies can do!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I agree 100%, Jack. IRS also said the PTIN fee for what used to be free was to help pay for their program of testing and monitoring of CPE. Now that's gone and we are still paying. I do think the testing and monitoring will be back in some form though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taxed Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I am not as upset with the continuation of the PTIN fee because I too believe we will get testing and monitoring in some form. BUT if they significantly increase the fee, then I will be upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I am not as upset with the continuation of the PTIN fee because I too believe we will get testing and monitoring in some form. BUT if they significantly increase the fee, then I will be upset. I would say from $0 to $65 is a significant increase. I have received NO BENEFIT from the new program from the IRS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee B Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Actually, I am in favor of the PTIN program because it makes it easier for the IRS to track fraudulent tax preparers. The fee helps make the program self supporting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Actually, I am in favor of the PTIN program because it makes it easier for the IRS to track fraudulent tax preparers. The fee helps make the program self supporting. So how does the program cause "fraudulent tax preparers" to be tracked more easily? Or does the program require that all preparers, including the one committing fraud to sign up and give all the information to the IRS? I am missing something here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Actually, I am in favor of the PTIN program because it makes it easier for the IRS to track fraudulent tax preparers. The fee helps make the program self supporting. For 2012 tax season, more than 20,000 returns were allowed to be filed by paid preparers using PTIN numbers that were not registered through the program with the IRS. I can see how it is working so far... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee B Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 We both have a right to our own opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 We both have a right to our own opinions. I saw your post as a statement of fact. Did I miss something? I only asked for the basis of your statement? Actually, I am in favor of the PTIN program because it makes it easier for the IRS to track fraudulent tax preparers. The fee helps make the program self supporting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Actually, I am in favor of the PTIN program because it makes it easier for the IRS to track fraudulent tax preparers. The fee helps make the program self supporting. HOW? Before the PTIN we had to use our SSN, so either way they had and still have the ability to track preparers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb39 Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I agree 100%, Jack. IRS also said the PTIN fee for what used to be free was to help pay for their program of testing and monitoring of CPE. Now that's gone and we are still paying. I do think the testing and monitoring will be back in some form though. I agree that I believe it will be back in some form and I also agree that it SHOULD be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taxed Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 HOW? Before the PTIN we had to use our SSN, so either way they had and still have the ability to track preparers. I absolutely hated using SS#. Back then identity fraud was not such a big problem, but I just did not like the idea that my full name address and ss# was floating around in the trash when people threw away their old returns (before people recycled or shredded). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJack Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I agree with KC. The PTIN is nothing more than another way of IRS control and collect money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Don't misunderstand, I was very happy when they gave us the PTIN so we did not have to put our SSNs on there. I have no problem with them tracking who prepares what returns, and going after the bad ones. What I did not like was when they decided to use it to control preparers without allowing a way to defend against unfounded IRS blocking of a PTIN. I knew someone who was mistakenly accused of some violation of the rules, and discovered that the IRS could freeze a PTIN without any structure in the law for challenging that action, or getting a hearing. And that was BEFORE they came up with the fees. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Don't misunderstand, I was very happy when they gave us the PTIN so we did not have to put our SSNs on there. I have no problem with them tracking who prepares what returns, and going after the bad ones. What I did not like was when they decided to use it to control preparers without allowing a way to defend against unfounded IRS blocking of a PTIN. I knew someone who was mistakenly accused of some violation of the rules, and discovered that the IRS could freeze a PTIN without any structure in the law for challenging that action, or getting a hearing. And that was BEFORE they came up with the fees. I know a preparer with 30 years experience that had the same thing happen. No charges or even a list of complaints. Just froze the PTIN and his EFIN too. He attempted an appeal, then decided to retire. Never was any information about why they were pulled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 As far as I know, they still have no appeal process in place. My friend was lucky, he was good friends with a US Senator, who contacted the IRS and asked to be informed why the EFIN had been suspended, when the reason given the preparer was provably false. The IRS assigned someone to respond, and within days the EFIN was re-activated. But that does not deal with the underlying problem of no recourse when the IRS acts arbitrarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb39 Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 I would say from $0 to $65 is a significant increase. I have received NO BENEFIT from the new program from the IRS. In addition to the $65, I also paid $95 and took a 200 mile trip to take a (then) mandatory test for a verification and registration that is now worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 In addition to the $65, I also paid $95 and took a 200 mile trip to take a (then) mandatory test for a verification and registration that is now worthless. As did I. Just about $25 per letter I can put after my name now. No other benefit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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