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New Standards for Tax Return Preparers

This act introduces mandatory new standards for professional tax return preparers, including exams, continuing education, and background checks. The goal is to ensure citizens' tax returns are handled by competent professionals, potentially reducing errors and issues with the IRS.
Key points
All paid tax preparers must pass an exam, complete annual education, and undergo a background check.
The Registered Tax Return Preparer Program will be reinstated with a basic exam and 15 hours of annual education.
The IRS can revoke a preparer's identification number if they are found incompetent or disreputable.
Increased accountability and transparency in tax preparation, aiming to protect citizens from fraudulent practices.
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Status: Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_10461
Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
Process start date: 2024-12-17
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Taxpayer Protection and Preparer Proficiency Act of 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_10461.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-12-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • All paid tax preparers must pass an exam, complete annual education, and undergo a background check.
  • The Registered Tax Return Preparer Program will be reinstated with a basic exam and 15 hours of annual education.
  • The IRS can revoke a preparer's identification number if they are found incompetent or disreputable.
  • Increased accountability and transparency in tax preparation, aiming to protect citizens from fraudulent practices.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-24.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Taxes