IRS Lists Standards for CE Providers and Accrediting Organizations

Submitted by rkoreto on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 17:39

Certain tax preparers have to enroll for government-mandated continuing education starting next year. (CPAs, as noted earlier, are exempt.) The guidance paves the way for the implementation of new CE requirements for certain tax return preparers, also starting next year. 

Preparers must obtain the courses from IRS-approved providers. To be approved, says the IRS, an organization must be ONE of the following:
 
  • An accredited educational institution.
  • Recognized for continuing education purposes by the licensing body of any state or U.S. territory.
  • Approved by a qualifying organization as a provider of CE on subject matters designed for registered tax return preparers, enrolled agents, and enrolled retirement plan agents (such qualifying organizations will be known as accrediting organizations).
  • Any other professional organization, society or business recognized by the IRS as a provider of CE on subject matters designed for registered tax return preparers, enrolled agents, and enrolled retirement plan agents.
 
As part of the process, continuing education providers are required to pay an annual fee to the third-party vendor selected by the IRS to administer the CE provider application and renewal processes. The fee is currently $419.
 
To apply for a provider number and program number(s), organizations should visit www.irs.gov/taxpros/ce and click on the “Apply to become an IRS Approved CE Provider” link.  Assistance for CE provider questions is available by calling 855-296-3150 (toll-free) or 202-499-5606.
 
Any organization that wants to become an accrediting body to approve individuals and entities as continuing education providers can submit the required documentation outlined in section 4 of Revenue Procedure 2012-12 to the address provided in the revenue procedure. Once approved, any accrediting organizations will be publicized by the IRS and must renew their status as accrediting organization with the IRS every three years.
 
 

 

Bookmark/Search this post with:

The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) encourages you to add a comment to this discussion.  You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law.  Please note that NYSSCPA reviews all comments prior to posting. NYSSCPA may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material.  All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors. To view the full “NYSSCPA Blog Terms and Conditions,” click here.