Overview

The Internal Revenue Service routinely processes more than 200 million tax returns each year, many of them prepared by tax professionals. Not surprisingly, as tax law becomes increasingly complex, taxpayers often seek the knowledgeable assistance of enrolled agents and other professionals in their preparation.

To help ensure enrolled agents and other professionals understand their ethical responsibilities in representing their clients before the IRS and in preparing tax returns, the IRS has published Treasury Department Circular 230. Circular 230 offers substantial guidance by:

• Setting forth rules relating to the authority to practice before the IRS; and
• Identifying the duties and restrictions relating to such practice.

This course will examine the principal rules, duties and restrictions applicable to enrolled agents in their professional activities.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Recognize the permitted scope of enrolled agent responsibilities;
• Identify the best practices for preparing or assisting in the preparation of a submission to the Internal Revenue Service; and
• List duties and restrictions applicable to enrolled agents with respect to –
  • Information to be furnished to the IRS,
  • Dealing with taxpayer omissions, errors and noncompliance with U.S. revenue laws,
  • The requirement for preparer diligence as to accuracy,
  • Return of client records,
  • The existence of conflicts of interest, and
  • Solicitation of business.