Why Regulate Tax Return Preparers?

This article considers existing Internal Revenue Code of 1954 provisions which restrict or regulate preparers, and professional ethics which govern the actions of attorneys and CPAs. Then, analyses of the recent proposals made by the commercial return preparation industry, the Service, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants are made. Finally, the article considers the American Bar Association\u27s position on these different proposals. I. Introduction II. Code Provisions Affecting Preparers III. Other Restraints on Professionals IV. Nonprofessional Preparer V. Recent Proposals … A. Commercial Return Preparers’ Proposals … B. Service’s Proposals … C. AICPA’s Proposals VI. Conclusio