Seven tax return preparers in Charlotte, N.C., have pleaded guilty to charges relating to preparing fraudulent tax returns. The individuals include the owner of Kapital Financial Services and its employees.

The Internal Revenue Service has expanded its Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can verify their identities. The program was launched nearly decade ago to protect confirmed ID  theft victims from ongoing tax-related fraud and was later expanded into specific states where taxpayers could voluntarily opt into the program.

Applications are being sought for nominations to the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee, the Internal Revenue Service said this week. The committee is designed to  provide an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues, such as prevention of identity theft and refund fraud  ETAAC member also  work closely with the Security Summit to fight electronic fraud.

The Internal Revenue Service should have a senior level Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer, the agency recommended this week. The new position was one of several organizations the IRS proposed in a report to Congress this week in its Taxpayer First Report.