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Don’t Deter E-Filing by Charging PTIN Fee for All, Individual Says

MAY 13, 2020

Don’t Deter E-Filing by Charging PTIN Fee for All, Individual Says

DATED MAY 13, 2020
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Submitter Information

Submitter Name: Jay Fowers

City: Farr West

Country: United States

State or Province: UT

  • Docket ID: IRS-2020-0005

  • Document Type: Public Submission

  • Document Subtype: Public Comment

  • Status: Posted

  • Received Date: May 13, 2020

Comment

I wish to respond with my comments regarding the re-implementing a fee in order to obtain a PTIN number used for e-filing federal income taxes. As a retired tax preparer, I file less than 30 tax returns per year, mainly for immediate and extended family members. I prepare and e-file these returns at cost, charging only what my tax software charges me to file per return. My initial response is to say that I am against IRS charging a fee in order to obtain a PTIN number. After all, it is in the best interest of IRS to have as many tax forms e-filed as possible. It doesn't seem right that IRS would mandate that filers send their returns by e-file, which requires a PTIN number, and then turn around and expect payment in order to obtain that PTIN! I have two suggestions regarding this:

1. Grandfather all filers who have had a PTIN in place for x number of years. Allow them to continue at no charge, but apply the PTIN fee to new filers coming into the system.

2. Charge a sliding PTIN fee based on the number of tax returns filed for the previous year. It is not equable for a tax preparer who Files 30 returns per year to pay the same fee as someone who files 400+ returns per year.

Thank you for your consideration.

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