Return Preparer Issues: Penalties, Injunctions, Criminal Prosecution, and the OPR

Description

The IRS increasingly looked to regulating tax return preparers as the first and best way to ensure taxpayer compliance. With expanded preparer penalties, optional continuing education and testing for return preparers, changes to Circular 230, and the increased use of injunctions and criminal prosecutions against return preparers, those who do not know the rules (and how the IRS is using them) may find themselves in a very dangerous predicament. This course will focus on the laws and regulations available to the IRS regarding return preparers, and practical strategies return preparers can use to avoid trouble with the IRS.

Highlights

LINK AND INSTRUCTIONS TO COME FROM AES TAX ONE DAY PRIOR TO SESSION

Objectives

After completing this course the participant will be able to:

• Analyze and apply the ethical and standard-of-care requirements for return preparers.
• Compare and contrast the different penalty provisions applicable to taxpayers and return preparers.
• Illustrate the different enforcement vehicles available to the IRS against return preparers and identify how to avoid failing under them.
• Analyze the authority of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), and how it does not apply to return preparers.