Liberty Tax Service is using CCH's CompleteTax for online preparation and offered a private label version of the CCH program during the last tax season. The company will utilize CompleteTax again during the 2012 season, according to documents filed by JTH Holding, the tax franchisor's parent company, in its registration for an initial public offering.

The Internal Revenue Service has released specifications for the competency test individuals must pass to become a Registered Tax Return Preparer. The 120-question tests offers a combination of multiple choice and true-or-false format. The IRS listed major topics that will be covered by the examination. Individuals with a provisional tax preparer identification number are not required to pass the exam until Dec. 31, 2013.

The Internal Revenue Service has eliminated the two-year limit for relief requests from innocent spouses. The decision was based on a review of the innocent spouse program conducted this year. Those whose relief request was denied solely to the expiration of the two-year period may reapply.

Republic Bancorp has taken $2 million charge for a penalty it may have to pay because of its refund loan business. That meant the company's Tax Refund Solutions business had net income of $1.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, a sharp drop from $3.1 million in last year's corresponding period.