January 12, 2011
Dear
As the IRS Stakeholder Liaison (SL) Area Manager for
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 Español, 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
| James R Kinsey | Gerry Kelly-Brenner | Keith Kershner |
| 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
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