If you follow current events in the world of tax relief and tax preparation, you probably heard about the federal district court decision permanently enjoining the IRS from enforcing its 2011 tax return preparer regulations. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the IRS lacked authority to regulate tax return preparer certification programs —
such authority would have to be granted by Congress.
The IRS Return Preparer Initiative would have required thousands of non-professional return preparers across the country to pass minimum competency exams, pay a fee, and complete minimum education requirements. In fact, many return preparers did take the exam and pay the fee, all for naught apparently. The initiative did not seek to regulate the CPA, tax attorney, or enrolled agent.
Large tax prep companies like Intuit (TurboTax), Jackson Hewitt, and H&R Block disapprove of the decision; you can probably guess why. They will tell you that it hurts taxpayers who unwarily hire incompetent return preparers, but we know their only concern is the bottom line and weeding out as much competition as possible. Of course, the “mom & pop” tax prep firms see this court decision as a big victory.
Some believe that voluntary certification is a better solution. Voluntary certification would still raise the bar for tax preparers and the industry in general, but in a more “free market” sort of way. Tax preparers would decide on their own to certify, or not to certify. And individuals seeking tax help would decide on their own to hire a certified preparer, or take their chances with someone else.
At this point it is not clear whether the IRS will appeal the decision. Read the IRS official statement here.
