IRS Opens Up Revised PTIN Site for New PTINs and Required Renewal of Old PTINs

The IRS has begun taking registrations for 2011 PTINs on the IRS’s new PTIN site.  Everyone who will be preparing returns next year is required to visit the site to either obtain a PTIN or renew their current PTIN, and this step must be completed before January 1.  After January 1, a PTIN registered under the new system will be required before any individual can prepare a 2011 income tax return.

The application requires a practitioner to set up a new account with the IRS—the older eServices accounts will not work with this step.  Once an account is setup online, an individual is sent a temporary password to log into the site, being required to immediately select a permanent password.

For online registration a preparer will need to have access to his/her tax return for the prior year, as well as information on the individual’s licensing with the appropriate entity.  The IRS indicates that once a person has completed the process the new (or renewed) PTIN will be immediately available.

If an individual doesn’t wish to apply online, a Form W-12 can be filed with the IRS.  The IRS notes that a paper application will take 4-6 weeks to process.

The fee for a PTIN, payable at the time of the application, will be $64.25 for 2010.

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