Early Registration Discount Now Available for Tax Forums

As the Nationwide Tax Forums are about to begin, the IRS invites tax professionals and financial planners to make their reservations for one of six forums being held throughout the country. Those who sign up by the pre-registration date pay less than the full fee, a savings of $129.

The Nationwide Tax Forums are three-day events that provide tax professionals with the most up-to-date tax information on changes in the tax law and its administration at presentations by IRS experts and partnering organizations. Forums offer an opportunity to receive up to 18 continuing professional education (CPE) credits through a variety of training seminars and workshops.

2009 Registration Fees, Dates and Locations

The cost of enrollment is $206 per person, per city for pre-registration and then $335 up to and including on-site registration. Pre-registration ends two weeks prior to the start of each forum.

Las Vegas July 7-9, pre-register by June 23
San Diego July 14-16 pre-register by June 30
Orlando, Fla. August 4-6, pre-register by July 21
New York August 25-27, pre-register by August 11
Dallas September 8-10, pre-register by August 25
Atlanta September 22-24, pre-register by September 8

This year, 40 separate seminars and three workshops are being offered, each of which qualifies for CPE credit for enrolled agents and certified public accountants. Additionally, 17 of the 40 qualify for continuing education credit for certified financial planners, pending review and acceptance by the Certified Financial Planner Board.

Members of the following participating associations qualify for discounted enrollment costs:
• American Bar Association
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• National Association of Enrolled Agents
• National Association of Tax Professionals
• National Society of Accountants
• National Society of Tax Professionals

In addition to the seminars, the forums also feature a two-day expo with representatives from the IRS, tax, financial and business communities offering their products, services and expertise. Practitioners are invited to bring an active case to the forums to work with IRS personnel on site for resolution.

In a survey of 2008 attendees the forums received a 99 percent satisfaction rate. Attendees stated that their participation enabled them to offer greater technical expertise to meet their clients’ needs. 2009 marks the 19th year that the IRS has used these forums to help educate and interact with the tax professional community.

IRS Launches Tax Return Preparer Review

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced today that by the end of 2009, he will propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the Internal Revenue Service better leverage the tax return preparer community with the twin goals of increasing taxpayer compliance and ensuring uniform and high ethical standards of conduct for tax preparers.

Some of the potential recommendations could focus on a new model for the regulation of tax return preparers; service and outreach for return preparers; education and training of return preparers; and enforcement related to return preparer misconduct. The Commissioner will submit recommendations to the Treasury Secretary and the President by the end of the year.

“Tax return preparers help Americans with one of their biggest financial transactions each year. We must ensure that all preparers are ethical, provide good service and are qualified,” Shulman said. “At the end the day, tax preparers and the associated industry must be part of our overall game plan to strengthen the integrity of the tax system.”

The first part of this groundbreaking effort will involve fact finding and receiving input from a large and diverse constituent community that includes those that are licensed by state and federal authorities — such as enrolled agents, lawyers and accountants — as well as unlicensed tax preparers and software vendors. The effort will also seek input and dialog with consumer groups and taxpayers.

“We plan to have a transparent and open dialogue about the issues,” Shulman said. “At this early and critical stage of the process, we need to hear from the broadest possible range of stakeholders.”

Later this year, the IRS plans to hold a number of open meetings in Washington and around the country with constituent groups.

More information, including schedules and agendas for public meetings, will be posted on the “Tax Professionals” page on this Web site and will be communicated to stakeholder groups.

Hartsville Tax Preparer Indicted

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Jacqueline E. Gibson, age 46, of Hartsville, was charged with mail fraud. Federal agents allege that Gibson, owner of Jackie Tax Service in Hartsville, had her clients' tax refund checks mailed to her rather than her clients, and that she kept the refunds for herself.

The maximum penalty Gibson could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment of 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the OIG Tax Administration and the United States Postal Service and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.