IRS Office of Professional Responsibility To Expand Enforcement

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

15 September 2003

The Office of Professional Responsibility which has recently replaced the Office of Director of Practice, and is charged with establishing and enforcing ethical codes of practice in the tax industry was the subject of this month's Tax Talk Today web broadcast co-sponsored by the IRS, SmartPros Accounting revealed last week.

According to the webcast, the new office launched by the IRS earlier this year is to undergo a certain amount of reorganisation, which will increase the frequency and comprehensiveness of the computer-based testing system for licence renewals. Deputy director of the office, Steve Whitlock explained that it eventually intends to test one third of tax agents every year through private sector test centers. Also, the office intends to bolster the enforcement of practice for attorneys, enrolled agents, CPAs and actuaries.

"The IRS is a world-class tax administration, but not a world-class test center," he explained, adding that: "With improved resources and staffing, this new office is working to more aggressively deal with problem practitioners."

Whitlock reminded the webcast participants and tax professionals that his job was to set stndards rather than boundaries, as this allowed certain people to see "how close to the edge they can get." He went on to reveal that on average, the IRS recives 450 to 500 complaints a year about the conduct of tax professionals.

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