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PTIN Information

Important Update: 

As of Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has enjoined the Internal Revenue Service from enforcing the regulatory requirements for registered tax return preparers. In accordance with this order, tax return preparers covered by this program are not currently required to register with the IRS, to complete competency testing or secure continuing education. The ruling does not affect the regulatory practice requirements for CPAs, attorneys, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents or enrolled actuaries. Read the court case here.  

What You Need to Know: 

1) The IRS has stopped scheduling and administering all RTRP exams.  If you have already scheduled an exam, you should receive a cancellation notice from the IRS.  You cannot take the exam even on a voluntary basis.
2) The online PTIN system is currently unavailable for both new requests as well as renewals.  We have confirmed with the IRS that the use of a new or old PTIN- or no PTIN – is purely voluntary for the time being.
3) Continuing Education is no longer required for current RTRPs and RTRP candidates, but can be completed voluntarily.
4) The IRS will issue guidance to CE providers shortly.
5) There has been no guidance from the IRS providing that the RTRP designation earned by some preparers cannot be used.  In other words, if you have earned it –use it, until you hear otherwise.

We will update this page frequently as we receive more information. 

Everything You Need to Know About PTINS

  • If you are an PTIN holder, IRS is allowing PTIN holders to self-certify that you have completed or plan to complete your 2012 continuing education requirements by December 31. The IRS Nationwide Tax Forum staff is working diligently to complete all requests for corrected CPE certificates from the 2012 tax forum season. Your corrected CPE certificate will be sent to you as soon as proper corrections are made and your corrected credits will be forwarded to the PTIN office when this process is completed. Please go the PTIN system and renew your PTIN even if you do not have your corrected CPE certificate. 
  • Renew Your PTIN – Begins Mid-Oct. for 2013. Be prepared by looking over this IRS PTIN Renewal Checklist.
    • All Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) expire on December 31, 2012, but the system will continue to accept renewals after the deadline. For anyone who has experienced technical difficulties when attempting to renew, please review these preparer tutorials. Additional guidance will be sent to individuals with expired PTINs in January.  
    • All paid tax return preparers are required to sign-up with the IRS, pay a registration fee, and obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). If you already have a PTIN, you must still sign-up under the new process--your PTIN number will remain the same.
      • The PTIN fee is currently $63 per individual for 2012 with a reduced fee of $30 for enrolled agents who are already subject to a $125 application and renewal fee. The fee will be the same regardless of whether you are obtaining a PTIN or re-registering an existing PTIN.
      • Compensated tax return preparers will be required to renew their PTINs annually. All PTINs will be valid for a calendar year and must be renewed on a calendar year basis. All PTIN holders must renew their numbers using the online PTIN application or paper Form W-12 and pay the required fee ($63 for 2012) after Oct. 15 and before Jan. 1 annually.
      • It takes about 15 minutes to sign up online and receive your PTIN.  If you use the paper application, it will take 4-6 weeks to process.
      • PTIN application and renewal assistance FAQs are on http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=239679,00.html.
      • The IRS PTIN information line receives many calls about forgotten User IDs, passwords, and email addresses. Please read the Online Troubleshooting Tips FAQs for guidance with these issues.

 

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