Effective immediately, the IRS has given Enrolled Agents a way to monitor whether their ID # has been hijacked in the creation of falsified tax returns. THANK GOODNESS!!!! There once was a day when I had to put my Social Security number on every return that I prepared… When the IRS gave us a special “preparer number… aka PTIN” I jumped at it securing a PTIN below 300!!! See the note that I just received AND have checked to be sure that my number is not being used fraudulently. Yes IRS is seriously trying to monitor/avoid tax fraud. eas
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Dear Tax Professional:
You can now view the number of federal tax returns processed by the IRS with your PTIN.
Visit the IRS website and log into your online PTIN account. On the Main Menu, select “View Returns Filed Per PTIN”.
The screen will display the number of tax returns with your PTIN processed this year. The data is updated monthly and includes only Form 1040 series returns.
If the number is substantially higher than the number of tax returns you’ve prepared and you suspect possible misuse of your PTIN, complete Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer, to alert the IRS.
Note: A minimum of 50 returns must be processed for data to be shown. At this time the data is only available for enrolled agents.
Sincerely,
IRS Return Preparer Office