What is Tax Professional Awareness Week?
A week of educational initiatives that equips tax professionals with the tools and information they need before filing season to help them prepare accurate returns. The event is designed to empower tax professionals with updated knowledge and skills in the evolving field of taxation.
Why are tax professionals so important?
Paid tax professionals play an important role in assisting taxpayers with their filing obligations. More than half of taxpayers who claim refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit rely on paid tax professionals to accurately file their return. Without a doubt, tax professionals play an important role in ensuring the integrity of the tax system.
Support your success
- Take the paid preparer due diligence training online. It covers due diligence ‘must-do's’ and contains scenarios and quizzes to check your understanding. Then, pass the test and you may receive one continuing education credit and print a certificate of completion.
- Become an authorized e-file provider. Join our partnership in three easy steps to save money, increase your productivity and build your business, while providing a service most taxpayers now expect.
- Be aware! Cybercriminals target tax professionals because you are custodians of highly sensitive client data. Cybercriminals attempt to steal your client's personal financial information so that they can create fraudulent tax returns and claim your client’s refunds.
- Professionalism matters. The Annual Filing Season Program recognizes the efforts of non-credentialed return preparers who aspire to a higher level of professionalism.
- Due diligence is important. Know the law. Ask the right questions. Document both your questions and your clients’ responses. Keep the required worksheets and records. Complete Form 8867, Paid Preparer’s Due Diligence Checklist.
- If you get a call, text or letter that claims to be from the IRS — or if you see information online about how to get a big refund — it might be a scam, or just bad tax advice. Learn more about what to know and do.
- Have a client that has received the Advanced Premium Tax Credit? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains comprehensive health insurance reforms and includes tax provisions that affect individuals, families, businesses, insurers, tax-exempt organizations, and government entities. The law also contains benefits and responsibilities for other organizations and employers. Visit the ACA information center for tax professionals for helpful information and answers to your questions.
- Get Ready! Ensure your filing season readiness by renewing or obtaining your 2025 preparer tax identification number (PTIN) now. An active PTIN is required for all tax return preparers who are compensated for preparing or assisting in the preparation of any U.S. federal tax return.
Enhance your knowledge – Attend a free live IRS educational webinar
Tax law research and training opportunities
- EITC Assistant on IRS.gov
- Filing taxes after divorce or separation on IRS.gov
- Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov
- Internal Revenue Manual on IRS.gov
- IRS Nationwide Tax Forum Online
- Paid preparer due diligence training
- Tax code, regulations and official guidance on IRS.gov
- Tax Preparer Toolkit
Stay informed: Access resources designed to enhance your expertise in tax preparation
- e-News subscriptions on IRS.gov
- E-Services - Online tool for tax professionals on IRS.gov
- IRS social media on IRS.gov
- PTIN requirements for tax return preparers on IRS.gov
- Tax Pro Account on IRS.gov
- Tax professionals on IRS.gov
- Taxpayer Advocate Service tax tips
Online publications
- Circular 230, Regulations Governing Practice before the Internal Revenue Service Treasury Department PDF
- Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Return PDF
- Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data: A Guide for Your Business PDF
- Publication 5708, Creating a Written Information Security Plan for your Tax & Accounting Practice
- Publication 5895, Who Do You Trust to Prepare Your Return? (English and Spanish Version) PDF