oldfart
Older than dirt
Actually, pretty good. As of January 2, the Return Preparer Office of the IRS had renewed Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN's) for approximately 741,124 individuals (there is a bit of overlap in that a few people have multiple credentials), out of a total of 1,290,788 that have been issued since 9/2802010. Of actual tax practitioners (those who can represent you before the IRS) there are 23,225 attorneys, 180,086 CPA's, and 48,840 enrolled agents. Most attorneys and CPA's don't do tax work, so the fact that they bothered to get a PTIN means they probably make an effort to keep up. Since the enrolled agents are required to meet a CPE requirement in taxation, they probably are up to date. Ignoring the 292 Enrolled Actuaries and 623 Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents, this leaves 488, 058 additional preparers out there.
About three years ago the IRS tried to impose minimum standards including CPE on those preparers but lost in court. So the IRS has a voluntary program where preparers can basically meet those standards and receive a designation under the Annual Filing Season Program. That takes care of another 25, 365 preparers. Those who have met ANY of these criteria will be listed on the IRS website list of tax preparers: https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
So what is left over? 462,693 people with PTIN's and no evidence that they have any competence at all. This is 62.4% of the total. Add to that the folks who don't even bother to get a PTIN. Now a lot of these folks probably can do an adequate job. I just wonder why so many of them don't bother to even get the AFSP designation.
Happy taxes and just remember that the IRS is really only after your money.
About three years ago the IRS tried to impose minimum standards including CPE on those preparers but lost in court. So the IRS has a voluntary program where preparers can basically meet those standards and receive a designation under the Annual Filing Season Program. That takes care of another 25, 365 preparers. Those who have met ANY of these criteria will be listed on the IRS website list of tax preparers: https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
So what is left over? 462,693 people with PTIN's and no evidence that they have any competence at all. This is 62.4% of the total. Add to that the folks who don't even bother to get a PTIN. Now a lot of these folks probably can do an adequate job. I just wonder why so many of them don't bother to even get the AFSP designation.
Happy taxes and just remember that the IRS is really only after your money.