If you’re currently trying to gain your IRS Record of Completion, the IRS wants to make sure you don’t miss a step.
Have you completed the requirements of the AFTR program?
Did you completed the required continuing education by Dec. 31, 2015?
Have you renewed your PTIN?
How about signed the Circular 2030 consent?
According to a recent IRS release, of the 83,340 unenrolled tax preparers who have completed the requirements of the AFTR program, only 44,301 have signed the Circular 230 consent. That means that there are 47% who have not yet signed the Circular 230 consent – something you need to do in order to gain your Record of Completion.
What is the Circular 230?
Circular 230, Regulations Governing Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service, contains rules governing the recognition of attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, registered tax return preparers, and other persons representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service.
Why Get Your Record of Completion?
The IRS Record of Completion is given once a tax preparer has completed the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), set-up or renewed their PTIN, and signed the Circular 230. The program was put in place to help reduce the amount of unqualified preparers through education and testing. All tax return preparers who successfully complete the AFSP will be listed on the IRS Federal Tax Return Preparers Directory. The directory is there to help taxpayers determine who is qualified to prepare their taxes.
Important things to know about the IRS AFSP
Here are some quick facts to know about the IRS Annual Filing Season Program.
- For returns filed after Dec. 31, 2015, non-credentialed tax return preparers have no representation rights for clients unless they participate in the Annual Filing Season Program (more information on limited representation rights).
- Over 44,000 non-credentialed tax return preparers have elected to participate in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program and received a Record of Completion. This already exceeds last year’s 41,000+ participants.
- After the filing season is over (April 18), preparers will no longer be able to sign and participate in the program for 2016.
If you have not yet signed the Circular 230, here is a video from the IRS that shows you how to do so.
If you have not yet been through the AFSP and are interested in completing the program, here’s everything you need to know: