Monthly Archives: September 2016

According to Law360 a certified class of more than a million tax preparers ranging from accountants to attorneys urged a D.C. federal judge Wednesday to block the Internal Revenue Service from charging  a fee for issuing a preparer tax identification number, arguing the fee is unlawful.

The class members said in a summary judgment motion that, under D.C. Circuit precedent, the IRS can’t regulate tax-return preparers. The fee has existed since 2010 but was lowered from $50 to $33 in a temporary rule-making last year amid concerns it was too high. On Aug. 10, the IRS issued a final rule setting the fee at $33.

“The requirements that tax-return preparers obtain and pay for a [preparer tax identification number] were based entirely on the IRS’s unauthorized attempt to regulate preparers more broadly, making the fee arbitrary and capricious,” the motion said. “Even if the fee were not arbitrary or capricious, it is unlawful … because Congress did not grant the IRS any licensing authority over tax-return preparers.”

The fee, which is charged for application and a renewal every year, caught the ire of many return preparers, who argue it is unnecessary since the PTIN doesn't change and is as unique as a Social Security number, according to court documents. Their Wednesday motion said the IRS had no authority to implement the PTIN requirement.

 

So here I am just another 59-year-old tax attorney who is sure that technology has it out for him, sitting in my office trying to get a few more cases moving forward while I wait for the Labor Day weekend, and I'm trying to fax to (267) 941-1115 a preclearance for yet another client who wants to enter the OVDP program.　

Naturally, I'm waiting for my E-Fax confirmation that this request for preclearance has gone through to the IRS and today I received not 1 but 2 messages that my E-Fax, that I rely on for communicating with the IRS, was not able to deliver either of my faxed requests.

So I called the (267) 941-1115 fax number, only to get a busy signal? 

Naturally I pick up the phone to contact the IRS-CI OVDP Hotline at (267) 941-1607 only to find out, from a recording, that I'm not as technologically challenged as I feel that I am, and that IRS CI has changed its phone and fax numbers for voluntary disclosures.

The phone number is now 267-466-1607 and the fax number is now (267) 466–1115.　

I've included these revised numbers in our revised FAQ #23 below: 

23.

How do I request preclearance before I submit my offshore voluntary disclosure?

For the OVDP, the preclearance process is as follows: 1.     Taxpayers or representatives send a facsimile to the IRS – Criminal Investigation Lead Development Center (LDC) with: (a) Applicant identifying information including complete names, dates of birth (if applicable), tax identification numbers, addresses, and telephone numbers. (b) Identifying information of all financial institutions at which undisclosed OVDP assets (see FAQ 35) were held. Identifying information for financial institutions includes complete names (including all DBAs and pseudonyms), addresses, and telephone numbers. (c) Identifying information of all foreign and domestic entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, trusts, foundations) through which the undisclosed OVDP assets (see FAQ 35) were held by the taxpayer seeking to participate in the OVDP; this does not include any entities traded on a public stock exchange. Information must be provided for both current and dissolved entities. Identifying information for entities includes complete names (including all DBAs and pseudonyms), employer identification numbers (if applicable), addresses, and the jurisdiction in which the entities were organized. (d) Executed power of attorney forms (if represented). The LDC fax number to request preclearance before making an offshore voluntary disclosure is (267) 466-1115. In the case of jointly filed returns, if each spouse intends to apply for OVDP, each spouse should request preclearance. The LDC fax number to request preclearance before making an offshore voluntary disclosure is (267) 466-1115. In the case of jointly filed returns, if each spouse intends to apply for OVDP, each spouse should request preclearance. 2.     Criminal Investigation will notify taxpayers or their representatives via fax whether or not they are eligible to make an offshore voluntary disclosure. It may take up to 30 days for Criminal Investigation to notify taxpayers or their representatives of the decision. Preclearance does not guarantee a taxpayer acceptance into the OVDP.  Taxpayers pre-cleared for OVDP must follow the steps outlined below (FAQ 24) within 45 days from receipt of the fax notification to make an offshore voluntary disclosure.      Taxpayers must truthfully, timely, and completely comply with all provisions of the OVDP.     Taxpayers or representatives with questions regarding preclearance may call the IRS-CI OVDP Hotline at (267) 466-1607. For all other offshore voluntary disclosure questions call the IRS OVDP Hotline at (267) 941-0020.

 

The Internal Revenue Service today warned tax professionals of a new wave of attacks that allow identity thieves to file fraudulent tax returns by remotely taking over practitioners’ computers.

As part of the Security Summit effort, the IRS urged tax professionals to review their tax preparation software settings and immediately enact all security measures, especially those settings that require usernames and passwords to access the products.  The IRS is aware of approximately two dozen cases where tax professionals have been victimized in recent days.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry – working as partners in the Security Summit – recently launched the Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself campaign to increase awareness that criminals increasingly are targeting tax professionals and the taxpayer data they possess. 

"This latest incident reinforces the need for all tax professionals to review their computer settings as soon as possible," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen‎. "Identity thieves continue to evolve and look for new areas to exploit‎, especially as our fraud filters become more effective. The prompt identification of these attacks is another example of the great benefits that result from the close‎ working relationship the IRS now has with the tax industry and the states through the Security Summit initiative. Information is flowing more rapidly between our groups as we continue‎ our efforts to protect taxpayers."

These attacks come as the Oct. 17 deadline approaches for extension filers. The IRS first warned of a similar remote take-over attack in the spring, just ahead of the April 15 deadline, another peak period for tax professionals.

Thieves are able to access tax professionals’ computers and use remote technology to take control, accessing client data and completing and e-filing tax returns but directing refunds to criminals’ own accounts.

Victims in the tax community learned of these thefts while reconciling e-file acknowledgements.

In addition to activating security measures for tax software products, IRS urges all tax preparers to take the following steps:

• Run a security “deep scan” to search for viruses and malware;
• Strengthen passwords for both computer access and software access; make sure your password is a minimum of eight digits (more is better) with a mix of numbers, letters and special characters and change them often;
• Be alert for phishing scams: do not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders;
• Educate all staff members about the dangers of phishing scams in the form of emails, texts and calls;
• Review any software that your employees use to remotely access your network and/or your IT support vendor uses to remotely troubleshoot technical problems and support your systems. Remote access software is a potential target for bad actors to gain entry and take control of a machine.

In addition, the IRS recently issued instructions to tax professionals on how to monitor their PTIN activity.

Tax professionals should review Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data, a Guide for Your Business, which provides a checklist to help safeguard taxpayer information and enhance office security. Also, practitioners should review Data Breach Information for Tax Professionals for information on what action they should take if they do become victims.