Thursday, January 13, 2011

Filin Season Letter

January 12, 2011

 

 

Dear California Tax Practitioner,

 

As the IRS Stakeholder Liaison (SL) Area Manager for California, I want to thank you for your past support and ask for your continued partnership with me and your local Stakeholder Liaisons. We are proud to be in our sixth year as the practitioners' gateway to the IRS. We have had a busy year, holding practitioner events, conducting National Phone Forums and webinars, and establishing Web-based tax centers.

 

Practitioners provided our local SLs many suggestions on how to improve IRS systems. This partnership strengthens our mutual commitment to ensuring taxpayer compliance with federal tax responsibilities.   SL is committed to getting you the information you need. Although we do not answer tax law questions or have access to your clients' tax accounts, we can steer you in the right direction.   

 

How SL can help you navigate the IRS

I encourage you to use our free products, as this is the best way to stay up to date with what is happening at the IRS. For instance subscribe to e-News for Tax Professionals for weekly news briefs, and check out Key Messages for Tax Professionals, which is updated on a quarterly basis.  We also offer practitioner "tax centers", "IRS Tax Calendar widget" and other "widgets" that link from your organization's Web site to ours, making it easy to find frequently-used Web pages.

 

You may also join our free, educational National Phone Forums and Webinars from the convenience of your office, and check out IRS Live where tax professionals are encouraged to watch the free live webinar and submit questions by e-mail during the webinar.  Our new IRS Video Portal is a great resource as well to view video clips of tax topics, archived versions of live panel discussions and webinars, as well as audio archives of national phone forums.

 

And be assured that IRS.gov has more than just forms and publications. You will find the latest news, online tools, research services, guidance and contact information.  IRS en EspaƱol, the IRS.gov Spanish counterpart, is available for translated information.   

 

How to keep up-to-date with the New Return Preparer Regulations

IRS has a new Return Preparer Office which will be led by David R. Williams. This office is responsible for implementing the new requirements. Read New Tax Preparer Requirements - Overview to keep current on the implementation of the three phases. For information on Phase 1: Apply for or renew your PTIN; check out our Web page for New PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers.  We have a Web page with answers to New Requirements for Tax Return Preparers: Frequently Asked Questions. For additional PTIN information, contact the IRS Tax Professional PTIN Information Line at 877-813-PTIN (7846); Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. -5 p.m. (CST).

 

Check out Many Tax Return Preparers Required to Use IRS e-file Beginning in 2011 for information on the new e-file rules and learn how to become an authorized e-file provider.

 

How you can help your clients and colleagues

We introduced the Issue Management Resolution System four years ago and have had more than a thousand IMRS issues submitted. Use IMRS to let us know when you have identified a problem or simply have a suggestion to improve our processes.  Some of the successes are available in our IMRS report on IRS.gov. 

 

Help us find ways to further our partnership and work with us to reach more practitioners through joint events or webinars. We invite you to include IRS information in your newsletter and Web site, post a tax center on your Web site or volunteer to teach a Small Business Tax Workshop in your community. Share what you learn with your colleagues.   

 

Lastly stay in touch with your local SL. If you need assistance in California, contact one of the Stakeholder Liaison employees below.

 

 

James R Kinsey

San Jose

Gerry Kelly-Brenner

Oakland

Keith Kershner

Fresno

Phone: 408-817-6842

Phone: 510-637-3036

Phone: 213-435-8755

 

Fax: 408-817-4601

 

Fax: 510-637-2434

 

Fax: 559-443-7598

 

Email:

James.R.Kinsey@irs.gov

 

 

Email:

Geraldine.Kelly-Brenner@irs.gov

 

Email:

Keith.D.Kershner@irs.gov

 

 

If you prefer, you may also contact me, Joyce Peneau, Western Area, Area Manager for Stakeholder Liaison, at 510-637-4360 or Joyce.H.Peneau@irs.gov.

 

Filing season can be a challenging and stressful time. Together, we can make it easier. Use our free tools, products, and services, and raise your issues and concerns through your local Stakeholder Liaison. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Joyce Peneau Stakeholder Liaison Area Manager, Western Area. Area

Joyce.H.Peneau@irs.gov.

 

 
 

Nationwide Tax Forums Online and Coming to San Jose

Practitioner Email Group:
       
        The IRS National Tax Forum is coming to San Jose >Tuesday, August 9 - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Stay tuned for registration information.
 
 
       The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online (NTFO) provides information for tax professionals from the speakers at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. Another cost-effective way to fulfill mandatory educational requirements
 
 
Visit the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online at  http://www.irstaxforumsonline.com
 
        NTFO available on your computer 24/7Audit courses for free! 
        Receive CPE Credit! 22 seminars to choose from No Travel
        CostFit into a busy schedule
        Do at your own pace 
        Download Information
        See Interactive Video View and Print Power Points Flexibility! 
        Great Value!  Instant results
 
Visit http://www.irstaxforum.com for information on the upcoming 2011 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum
 
We also encourage you to attend the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums for the complete forum experience. You can earn CPE credits, network with tax professionals and IRS staff, get a case resolved in the Case Resolution Room, and get hands-on help in the IRS Preparer Services Room.
 
City Dates
Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, June 28 - Thursday, June 30, 2011
Orlando, FL
Tuesday, July 12 - Thursday, July 14, 2011
Dallas, TX
Tuesday, July 26 - Thursday, July 28, 2011
San Jose, CA
Tuesday, August 9 - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, August 16 - Thursday, August 18, 2011
National Harbor, MD
(Washington DC Area) 
Tuesday, August 30 - Thursday, September 1, 2011   
 
James R. Kinsey
 
Sr Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communication, Liaison & Disclosure
SB/SE Division
Work 408-817-6842
Fax 408-817-4601