Surgent's Ethics for Tax Professionals

Overview

The purpose of this program is to discuss the ethical mandates that govern the conduct of tax practitioners. The program focuses on the ethical pronouncements of the IRS in Circular 230, as well as the preparer penalty provisions set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. Please note: This ethics course does not cover state-specific issues and so is not applicable in states that require ethics courses to include specific state laws and regulations. Please check with your state board prior to registering for this program if you are in doubt about whether this program satisfies your state's ethics requirements.

Prerequisites

None

Objectives

• Understand how Circular 230 addresses the more commonly encountered ethical questions tax return preparers face in practice on a regular basis

Highlights

• What does practicing before the IRS mean?
• Who may practice before the IRS?
• What should a tax preparer do if he or she has knowledge of a client's omission of income from a tax return?
• May a tax preparer rely on the work of other tax return preparers?
• May a tax preparer rely on and use client-provided information?
• Standards associated with giving advice to clients
• Abolition of the disclaimer requirement
• When must a tax preparer examine a client’s books and records?