PTIN System Unavailable for New Applications from Dec. 26 until Jan. 9

Due to previously scheduled maintenance on IRS systems, the PTIN system will be unavailable for new applications from 5:00 PM ET on Friday, Dec. 26 until approximately 9:00 AM ET on Monday, Jan. 9. Preparers are still able to renew existing PTINs during this window. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We are exploring ways to mitigate the outage for preparers who cannot meet the December 26 deadline.  More to come on this issue.

Starting Jan. 1: Tax Preparers Need to File Due Diligence Checklist with All Earned Income Tax Credit Claims

IR-2011-122, Dec. 20, 2011

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations requiring paid tax return preparers to file a due diligence checklist, Form 8867, with any federal return claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is the same form that is currently required to be completed and retained in a preparer’s records.

The due diligence requirement, enacted by Congress over a decade ago, was designed to reduce errors on returns claiming the EITC, most of which are prepared by tax professionals. The IRS created Form 8867, Paid Preparer’s Earned Income Credit Checklist, to help preparers meet the requirement by obtaining eligibility information from their clients. Preparers have » Read more..