ATR Supports Kansas SB 104 to Protect Taxpayers & Integrity of Filing System

April 2, 2019

To: Members of the Kansas House of Representatives

From: Americans for Tax Reform

 

Dear Representative, 

On behalf of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), and our supporters across Kansas, I urge you to support and pass SB 104. This legislation would allow the state to prevent tax preparers from filing Kansas state returns when they consistently fail to provide promised services.

As tax filing season is in full swing, now is the time to address this issue which weakens the integrity of the tax filing system and threatens Kansas taxpayers. While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN), there is little meaningful oversight through this program for preparers.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) issued a report that includes several alarming findings on the program’s shortfalls.  

For one, TIGTA found the IRS does not revoke PTINs from tax return preparers who are not compliant with their tax filing and payment obligations – combined these returners owed $367 million as of early 2015.

Further, the IRS did not revoke PTINs from people who the IRS identified as barred from preparing tax returns. The IRS also does not revoke PTINs from preparers who have committed felonies directly related to federal taxes.

ATR is a strong supporter of occupational licensing reform that allows former offenders a path toward obtaining a license. Yet, good, forward-thinking occupational licensing reform specifically maintains the ability of boards to exclude those who have committed a crime directly related to the profession for which they’re applying.

Instead of waiting for action in Washington as tax filing seasons continue to come and go, state legislators can pass commonsense legislation in SB 104 to address these issues.

This bill would protect taxpayers by allowing the state to hold negligent preparers accountable for their actions. The legislation would also require preparers to provide a signature and PTIN on every return, to protect against scams. 

ATR urges you to pass SB 104 to protect Kansas taxpayers and the integrity of the tax filing system. If you have any questions, or ATR can be of further assistance, contact State Projects Director Doug Kellogg, [email protected], 202-785-0266.

 

Sincerely,

 

Grover G. Norquist

President

Americans for Tax Reform