Nervous entrepreneurs looking to start a tax preparation business can now breathe a sigh of relief; the IRS has finally released the fee structure associated with the new mandated tax preparer registration. The total fee for this will be $64.25 per individual for the first year of registration. $50 of this fee covers the IRS’ costs for administering the new PTIN program, and $14.25 goes to a third-party vendor to operate the online system and provide customer support. Going forward from this first year’s registration or re-registration process, preparers will be required to renew their PTINs annually and pay the $14.25 user fee each year for this renewal process.
All individuals who intend to prepare tax returns this season will have to either register. New preparers will have to get a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) and experienced preparers, who already have a PTIN, will be required to re-register their existing PTIN. There are several aspects of these new requirements and tax preparer regulations that affect tax business owners.
Increased cost of operation
The big new effect that many tax business owners are talking about is the dismissal of the old preparer adage “I just imputed what the tax payer told me.” Now that tax return preparers will fall under the supervision of and be subject to disciplinary actions by the Office of Professional Responsibility, preparers are held responsible for submitting returns with frivolous tax positions.
For Example: if a taxpayer approaches your business and wishes to claim their family dog as a dependent, and knowingly your tax preparer goes along with this; there could be disciplinary actions taken at the tax preparer level, not just at the taxpayer level as was the case in the past. As a tax business owner or someone considering starting a tax preparation business, you should be aware of the latest IRS tax preparer regulations affecting your business and your employees.
Starting a tax preparation business is still very doable and should not be intimidating, but it did just get a little more expensive. Federal Direct can make sure that your new tax business off on the right foot. Be sure to request your free target marketing demographic breakdown. Where you can give us one zip code and we’ll tell you everything there is to know about opening a tax business there! No obligations!