TaxAct can now connect its software customers with tax professionals. The capability has been added through integration with Taxfyle, a tax and accounting marketplace.  Similarly, H&R Block has introduced TaxEdge, to link users of Everlance and Hudir, which provide tracking and reporting income and expenses for freelancers, with Block preparrs.

Tax agencies are warning professionals about scam emails from people posing as clients soliciting their services. Accounting and tax preparation firms are being solicited nationally in an attempt to collect information for preparing fake returns.

A Toms River, N.J.-based tax preparer has been sentenced to 37 months in prison pocketing refunds she sought without her client's permission. Doreen Gentile has also been ordered to pay $1,863,013 in restitution. She also admitted failing to pay taxes for her business from 2006 through 2009.

The Internal Revenue Service expects four out of five returns submitted during the tax season that kicks off on January 23 to be efiled. The agency also predicts a similar proportion of refunds issued through direct deposit.