Time to Renew your PTIN
Don’t forget to renew your PTIN before December 31!
Anyone who is paid to prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns or claims for refund must have a PTIN. All enrolled agents must also have a PTIN. Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants do not need a PTIN unless they are compensated for preparing or assisting in preparing federal tax returns or claims for refund.
A PTIN cannot be shared among multiple individuals or one office. Each individual must obtain his or her own PTIN. In addition to completing the appropriate CE courses, the return preparer must also renew his or her preparer tax identification number (PTIN) for the upcoming year and pay the annual user fee. All PTINs expire on December 31 of each year. PTIN renewal open season begins approximately October 15 each year for the following year. You can renew online by logging into your PTIN account or by submitting a paper Form W-12 with the “Renewal” box checked.
Don’t have a PTIN?
To sign up for a new PTIN, you must create an account. Most first-time PTIN applicants can obtain a PTIN online in about 15 minutes. Go to the online PTIN system and click on “Create Account” under the “New User” option. You will need to provide the following information:
- Social Security Number
- Personal information (name, mailing address, date of birth)
- Business information (name, mailing address, telephone number)
- Previous year’s individual tax return (name, address, filing status)
- Explanations for felony convictions (if any)
- Explanations for problems with your U.S. individual or business tax obligations (if any)
- Credit/Debit/ATM card for the $35.95 PTIN user fee. The user fee is non-refundable.
- If applicable, any U.S.-based professional certification information (CPA, attorney, enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, enrolled actuary, certified acceptance agent, or state license) including certification number, jurisdiction of issuance, and expiration date.
Consider becoming an Annual Filing Season Program participant
The Annual Filing Season Program is a voluntary IRS program intended to encourage non-credentialed tax return preparers to take continuing education courses to increase their knowledge and improve their filing season readiness.
Those who choose to participate must renew their PTIN, complete 18 hours of continuing education from IRS-approved CE providers and consent to adhere to specific obligations in Circular 230 by December 31, 2021. The IRS has a video available on how to sign the Circular 230 consent and print the Record of Completion.
After completing the steps, the return preparer receives an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion from the IRS. Program participants are then included in a public directory of return preparers with credentials and select qualifications on the IRS website.
The searchable IRS directory helps taxpayers find preparers in their area who have completed the program or hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS.
PTIN Courses International is an IRS-approved CE Provider and offers all of the required courses for a reasonable price of $10.00 per credit hour!! But hurry, you must complete your Continuing Education by December 31.
