The Internal Revenue Service Return Preparer’s Office is reminding tax professionals about the PTIN renewal deadline and Annual Filing Season Program perks. According to the Friday IRS newsletter, the RPO is set to send two separate messages: one to all current PTIN holders, and another to all non-credentialed PTIN holders.
What does the RPO say about renewing a PTIN?
The PTIN message directs users to IRS.gov/PTIN to start the renewal process before the December 31, 2020 application deadline. At the time of writing, we were unable to reach that web page, but the current renewal page—RPR.IRS.gov—is active. The RPO also reminds PTIN holders that renewal will now require a non-refundable $35.95 fee, a change we covered back in April.
Returning users sign in with their user ID and password, complete the renewal application, then pay the fee with an accepted method:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- ATM card
- eCheck
The RPO says that users who forget their login information should use the “Forgot User ID” and “Forgot Password” tools. On the current page, you can also click “Forgot or cannot access email?” to update the email tied to your PTIN account.
What does the RPO say about the Annual Filing Season Program?
The RPO explains that the Annual Filing Season Program is a “voluntary program … for non-credentialed return preparers who aspire to a higher of professionalism,” and it requires completion of “15 or 18 hours of continuing education in specific categories … [before] December 31, 2020” from “IRS-approved CE providers.”
While learning more about tax preparation will help you better serve clients, completion of the AFSP confers the Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion and grants limited representation rights for clients whose returns you prepared and signed.
You will also be listed in the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, “a searchable database that includes the names, city, state, ZIP code, and credentials of all current year Annual Filing Season Program participants, enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, enrolled retirement plan agents, and enrolled actuaries with a valid PTIN.”
Does Drake Software offer AFSP courses?
Visit DrakeCPE.com to sign up for e-learning-based continuing professional education courses required for completing Annual Filing Season Program requirements and more!
Drake Software is an IRS-approved continuing professional education provider that is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and approved by the California Tax Education Council.
Sources: IRS e-News for Tax Professionals 2020-42; DrakeCPE.com
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