There’s a story behind every organization, and sometimes the stories of how the organization got where it is, is even more impressive than where it’s ended up.

The story behind NATP is a fun one, and we wanted to share our full history so you can better understand where we’ve been and where we’re planning on going.

Our history

The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), founded in 1979, has a proud history of supporting the nation’s federal tax preparers. Wisconsin tax professionals, LaVerne Forster, Douglas Bennett, Sr., Rick Hermus and Sylvester Gavinski, believed that tax pros needed a community where they could ask questions, get answers and attend quality education. From that idea NATP was formed – a nonprofit association where tax practitioners can turn to for news, information, education and community. From four visionaries, this organization has grown into the largest association dedicated to excellence in federal tax preparation.

(Doug Bennett, NATP founder)

Where we were

We began in a small office in Menasha, Wisconsin; moved to a Kaukauna, Wisconsin, location in 1984; and a larger facility in Appleton, Wisconsin, in late 1989; then moved again to Greenville, Wisconsin, in 2009. To accommodate our needs and position NATP for more growth, we built our present facility in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, in May 2017.

(Sign for present facility in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. 2016.)

Growth

While growth has been gradual since NATP was formed, new benefits continued to be added as the needs of members changed. From a membership size of 20 in 1979 to 12,500 in 1989, we have grown to support more than 23,000 members in 2021. In 2019, the structure of membership was redesigned to allow members to choose from three levels of benefits. Providing members with what they need for wherever they are in their careers is a priority at NATP.

Benefits, products and services

Over the years members have and continue to depend on NATP for answers to tax research questions, continuing education, local connections, resources like textbooks and client folders, and advocacy. Early on, tax content was delivered only through print publications but grew to include online newsletters, white papers, social media, video and blog posts.

From the very beginning, education has been and remains a cornerstone of NATP. Our first educational workshop was held in 1979 at a local technical college. The first multi-state educational venture began in 1981 via staff in a rented van that traveled to six midwestern states, holding workshops in hotels. We hosted our first National Conference in 1982 in Milwaukee; a yearly event of learning and comradery that has since been held in many of the nation’s greatest cities. As technology advanced, new delivery methods for education were added to include webinars, online workshops and virtual events. The yearly tax updates have grown to include more than 100 in-person locations and multiple online opportunities.

Chapters

In 1987, the first NATP chapters were formed and include New York, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Today we have 40 local chapters serving members in 44 states. Chapters are in place to meet the local needs of the members through state education, news and updates and engagement.

The story continues

Meeting our members’ needs through high-quality, relevant and timely education, information, products and services is important to the success of their businesses and their ability to serve their clients with excellence. We remain a growing, thriving association, committed to being the voice of the profession and greatest advocate for tax professionals.

(NATP staff, 2019)

We encourage you to take a look at our social media channels and join in the conversations! We love hearing from you. You can find us on Facebook, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Groups, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.