New Return Preparer Competency Test to Begin; User Fee Provided (IR-2011-111, Fact Sheet 2011-12, T.D. 9559)
The IRS has launched the new registered tax return preparer competency test, provided final rules about the user fee and issued a fact sheet, which provides details about the test. Tax return preparers who currently have valid PTINs and are required to take the new test will have until December 31, 2013, to pass it. Preparers who pass the test and meet other requirements will be designated as registered tax return preparers. In order to maintain that designation, registered tax return preparers must renew their PTINs annually and complete 15 hours of continuing education each year. Enrolled agents, certified public accountants and attorneys are exempt from the new testing and education requirements because they already meet more stringent guidelines to obtain their professional credentials.
The fee for the competency test is $116, which includes the IRS’s $27 portion of the fee (established in T.D. 9559) and the fee for Prometric Inc., the third-party test vendor. The user fee will be charged each time an applicant takes the test because each examination-sitting will involve the same costs to the IRS. The IRS will issue registered tax return preparer certificates to individuals who pass the competency test and a tax compliance check. Individuals issued certificates may begin using the registered tax return preparer designation, but they still may be subject to additional background checks that the IRS may implement in the future.
The IRS has also released a fact sheet that provides additional details about the test, including which preparers are required to take it and how to schedule an appointment. More information on the registered tax return preparer competency examination and the special enrollment examination is available at http://www.IRS.gov/taxpros/tests.
All PTIN holders must renew their PTINs for the 2012 filing season by December 31, 2011. The PTIN renewal fee for 2012 is $63. Return preparers who obtained their PTINs by creating an online account should renew their PTINs at http://www.IRS.gov/ptin.
IR-2011-111,2011FED ¶46,550
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