The proposals require all paid preparers to register and receive an identification number from the IRS. Preparers are also subject to limited review to see if they have filed appropriate returns and paid any moneys due. But the IRS exempted CPAs, EAs and attorneys from competency tests and additional continuing education requirements that it proposes for other paid preparers.

The AICPA also supported the changes. In a prepared statement CEO Barry Melancon said the proposals would "foster greater compliance with the tax code and better, more reliable service for U.S. taxpayers across the board,” However, he continued that the organization is concerned that examination process for other paid preparers would provide a "certification based on limited qualifications. A new IRS examination process may cause confusion among taxpayers about the relative qualifications of tax return preparers."

The retail chains all reported their professionals receive training and that they believe they face no difficulties complying with the regulations.

An H&R Block statement said, "H&R Block tax professionals already are required to complete hundreds of hours of training and undergo additional testing each year. Our minimum training standards exceed those the IRS will require."

Jackson Hewitt's statement covered much of the same ground, welcoming the regulations and pointing to the tax preparer reading test its professionals must pass and noted they also can access extensive tax law and ethics training materials. "We have exceptional tools in place to monitor our tax preparer training and testing," the statement said. "We continue to take steps in creating, implementing and monitoring training and compliance measures throughout our system."

O'Gorman outlined a similar program utilized by Liberty Tax. During the last tax season, the company implemented a tax preparation certification program. Preparers must pass three levels, Level I in the first year of employment, Level II in the second and so on. The company, she continued has been "Making sure we have the right standards for the basic tax returns."

Bob Scott

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Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards.  Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He  has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that.  A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind