The IRS recently announced a voluntary Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) designed to encourage education and filing season readiness for paid tax return preparers. The AFSP is a voluntary program geared towards non-credentialed return preparers and gives them a way to stay up-to-date on new tax law and changes. Tax return preparers who choose to participate in the program by completing a specified number of continuing education credits from an IRS-approved provider will receive AFSP-Record of Completion and will be included in a public directory on the IRS.gov website that indicates the preparer’s qualification. The program will be in place for the 2015 filing season.

See printable version for remainder of article.