Date: 12/23/04
Subject: Business / Financial News / Personal Finance / Consumer Interest
Media Contact: Larry Scheider / CLS Tax & Financial Planning, Inc.
(formerly dba AFTS / Associated Financial & Tax Services, Inc.)
480-839-0033 cell: 480-993-4679
Checkbox Designation Allows Direct Contact
Between IRS and Tax Preparers
By Larry Scheider, CFP, EA
President of CLS Tax & Financial Planning, Inc.
(formerly dba AFTS)
Beginning in 2000, taxpayers could check a box on their tax return allowing their preparer to directly resolve issues that involve that year’s return. By checking the box, the taxpayer authorizes the IRS to call the preparer directly, keeping the taxpayer out of the middle of the interpretation process. The preparer is then empowered to release additional information that is needed to process the tax return, and can also check the status of refunds or payments. The checkbox designation is limited to paid preparers and does not eliminate the need for a Power of Attorney for issues dealing with examinations, under-reported income, appeals and collection notices.
The checkbox does not authorize a preparer to receive a refund on behalf of a taxpayer, nor represent a taxpayer before the IRS. The designation is simply intended to assist the IRS customer service representatives to quickly resolve issues such as math errors, missing data, and address issues by talking directly with the tax preparer. The benefit to the taxpayer is expediency in processing the return and delivery of refunds.
Selecting the right tax professional will save you time, headaches, and oftentimes money. Larry and Cathy Scheider are Solera residents with more than twenty-five years of combined professional tax preparation expertise. They will be happy to answer your questions about this article or other individual or business tax concerns. You can reach them at 480-839-0033 or email: Cathy@CLSTaxServices.com
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP(R), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(tm) and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
