IRS Reminds Preparers of 2012 Continuing Education Requirements

Tax return preparers who are not Attorneys, CPAs, or Enrolled Agents must complete 15 hours of continuing education per year beginning in 2012. The courses must be taken from an IRS-approved provider. NSTP is an IRS-approved provider. The 15 hours of continuing education must include 10 hours of federal tax law, three hours of federal tax law updates and two hours of ethics each calendar year. Return preparers must provide their PTINs to the education provider so their continuing education can be properly reported to the IRS. The number of hours is prorated for preparers who obtain a PTIN during the year.

Non-signing preparers supervised by Attorneys CPAs, or Enrolled Agents also are exempt from the continuing education requirement as are tax return preparers who do not prepare any Form 1040 series returns.

While there was some talk that the IRS may relax the rule for 2012, the latest IRS news release mandates the 15-hour, 2012 requirement.

IRS No Longer Accepting Hand-Delivered Returns From Preparers