PTIN renewal season begins today
Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) renewal season for 2020 is now open.
Anyone who prepares or helps prepare federal tax returns or claims for refund for compensation must have a valid PTIN from the IRS and use it as the identifying number on all returns. All PTINs expire on Dec. 31 and must be renewed annually.
There is no charge to apply for or renew a 2020 PTIN. To get started, go to irs.gov/ptin.
If you can’t remember your user ID or password, use the “Forgot User ID” or “Forgot Password” links on the PTIN system login page. You will be asked to enter the email address associated with your account and answer your security question.
New for 2020
Those obtaining or renewing a PTIN will be asked if they are aware of their data security obligations. This serves as a reminder of your legal responsibility to have a data security plan and to provide data and system security protections for all taxpayer information. When completing your PTIN renewal, a checkbox will be available to confirm your awareness of these data security responsibilities.
As a reminder, one of the benefits of NATP membership, includes free access to our Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Scams on-demand webinar. This webinar addresses current scams, threats, prevention, data security requirements and steps to take in the aftermath of a breach.
There are currently about 777,000 PTIN holders with 297,000 assigned to credentialed practitioners.
This leaves just over 60% of the PTIN holders unenrolled. The IRS encourages these unenrolled preparers to consider participating in the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP).
Starting today, if you have completed the Annual Federal Tax Refresher course and exam, and earned the required amount of CPE, you can take the last step. To officially participate and receive your 2020 Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion, you must log into your PTIN account and consent to the duties and restrictions relating to practice before the IRS in subpart B and section 10.51 of Treasury Department Circular No. 230. Once this step is complete, you may print your Record of Completion.