California Tax Education Council
Registering as a new tax preparer? What you need to know...
Monday, November 2, 2020 - 6 commentsRegistration for new applicants starts November 1, 2020. As of July, new registrants must also pass a background check before their application can be approved.
California Business & Professions Code Section 22251.3 was amended to require new applicants who would like to become a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) to pass a criminal background check and submit fingerprint images to CTEC to determine an individual’s eligibility to register.
This means new registrants must complete the following before their application will be considered:
-
Complete 60 hours (45 hours federal, 15 hours state) of qualifying education (QE) by an approved CTEC education provider
-
Obtain a $5,000 tax preparer surety bond
-
Register for an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
-
Complete a criminal background check and submit fingerprint images to CTEC
The new requirements are NOT applicable to current CRTPs, only new applicants who register on or after July 1, 2020.
However, CRTPs who allow their CTEC registration to expire and would like to reregister with CTEC on or after July 1, 2020, will not only be required to retake the 60 hour QE course, they will also be required to go through a background check and resubmit fingerprint images to CTEC.
Already completed the requirements? Click here to register >>
Comments
Tax preparer completed all requirements by October 1, 2020 except for paying the registration fee. Information for the CEs were submitted on October 1, 2020 to CTEC. CTEC online payment was down on several occasions. Does the tax preparer need to start over as a new preparer?
What recourse do we have concerning a tax preparer that has ignored his duty year after year, we realized this after some time, then asks for POA to clean up his mess and then says that the IRS won't talk to him they want to speak with the POA. This guy ignored his client after many calls to speak and meet and handle the situation. This preparer is the only person that knows what he did or didn't do. He has put off this elderly client always extending her because, in my opinion, he felt he could neglect her because she is elderly. What recourse do we have to make him do his due diligence and clean up his mess?
Can a Tax Preparer obt out of having his/her address and phone number open to the public? How do can we keep our personal address and phone number private from the public?
What is deadline with penalty fee after Oct. 31, 2020
By when does CTEC need to received the qualifying education requirement?
Is ITIN # Ok to register?