Class Action Information -- PTIN

[easytax]

Just some FYI.

Received this today (10/08/2016) from: KCC Class Action Services <[email protected]>

CLAIM ID: 10527616   If you paid the IRS a fee to obtain or renew your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), a class action lawsuit may affect your rights.   Tax return preparers filed this lawsuit against the United States claiming that they have been wrongfully required to pay PTIN fees set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2010 at $64.25 and $63, and in November 2015 at $50. The lawsuit, Steele v. United States, Case No. 1:14-cv-1523-RCL, is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Court decided this lawsuit should be a class action on behalf of a “Class,” or group of people that could include you. There is no money available now and no guarantee that there will be.   Are you included? IRS records indicate that you paid to obtain or renew your PTIN on or after September 30, 2010. The Class includes everyone that paid a PTIN application or renewal fee on or after September 30, 2010.   What is this lawsuit about? The lawsuit claims that Congress has not authorized the IRS to charge fees for the application for or renewal of a PTIN. The complaint also alleges that if the Court decides that the IRS does have the authority to charge a fee for the application for or renewal of a PTIN, the fees charged by the IRS are excessive. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the IRS from charging PTIN fees, seeks the recovery of either all PTIN fees paid or the excessive portion of the PTIN fees, and challenges the annual PTIN filing requirements. The United States denies these claims and contends that the IRS has authority to charge the amounts it has charged for the application for and renewal of PTINs. The Court has not decided who is right. The lawyers for the Class will have to prove their claims in Court.   Who represents you? The Court has appointed Motley Rice LLC to represent the Class as “Class Counsel.” Three other firms are also serving as counsel. You don’t have to pay Class Counsel or anyone else to participate. If Class Counsel obtains money or benefits for the Class, they will ask the Court for an award of fees and costs, which will be paid out of any money recovered for the Class.    What are your options? If you are a Class Member, you have a right to stay in the Class or be excluded from the lawsuit.    OPTION 1. Do nothing. Stay in the lawsuit. If you do nothing, you are choosing to stay in the Class. You will be legally bound by all orders and judgments of the Court, and you won’t be able to sue the United States for the claims made in this lawsuit. If money or benefits are obtained, you will be able to obtain a share. There is no guarantee that the lawsuit will be successful.   OPTION 2. Exclude yourself from the lawsuit. Alternatively, you have the right to not be part of this lawsuit by excluding yourself or “opting out” of the Class. If you exclude yourself, you cannot get any money from this lawsuit if any is obtained, but you will keep your right to separately sue the United States over the legal issues in this case. If you do not wish to stay in the Class, you must send a letter to the address below postmarked by December 7, 2016, saying that you want to be excluded from Steele v. United States, Case No. 1:14-cv-1523-RCL. You must include your name, address, telephone number, email address, and signature. If you choose this option, you should talk to a lawyer soon because your claims may be subject to a statute of limitations which sets a deadline for filing the lawsuit within a certain period of time.   How do I find out more about this lawsuit? For a detailed notice and other documents about this lawsuit and your rights, go to www.PTINClassAction.com, call 1-866-483-8621, write to PTIN Fees Class Action Administrator, PO Box 30245, College Station, TX 77842-3245, or call Class Counsel at 1-800-447-4645.   1-866-483-8621 OR www.PTINClassAction.com