AICPA Signals Strong Support for Tax Preparer Regulation Legislation

Washington, D.C. (June 30, 2021) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) strongly supports the regulation of paid tax return preparers outlined in the Taxpayer Protection and Preparer Proficiency Act, a bill sponsored by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Tom Rice (R-SC), introduced last week with strong bipartisan and external stakeholder support. Key measures in the bill include the following:

• Gives Treasury authority to regulate paid tax return preparers.
• Clarifies that the authority being provided is to reinstitute the IRS’s 2011 paid preparer regulatory program.
• Gives the IRS authority to revoke an incompetent or fraudulent preparer's Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
• Clarifies that certain non-signing preparers – those persons who prepare returns under the supervision of an attorney, CPA or enrolled agent– are not required to obtain a PTIN.
• Requires a GAO study on the sharing of information between the Treasury Department and State authorities regarding PTINs issued to paid return preparers and preparer minimum standards.

The AICPA has been a long-time advocate of the appropriate regulation of paid tax return preparers and is grateful to Representatives Panetta and Rice for their leadership. 

The AICPA will continue to pursue another key consumer-protection measure designed to look out for taxpayers’ best interest by ensuring truth in advertising. That measure requires unlicensed PTIN holders who represent themselves as a registered tax return preparer in any paid print, television, radio or other advertising display or broadcast a statement directing taxpayers to the IRS website where the differences between the various types of preparers are explained. 

“The AICPA is pleased to endorse this bill and we appreciate Representatives Panetta and Rice for working together to introduce this important legislation,” said AICPA Vice President of Taxation, Edward Karl, CPA, CGMA. “Ensuring that tax preparers are competent and ethical, and that the IRS has the tools it needs to conduct appropriate oversight, is critical to maintaining taxpayer confidence in our tax system and protecting the interests of the American taxpayer.”

About the American Institute of CPAs

The American Institute of CPAs^® (AICPA^®) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 428,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.