PTIN/ ERPA info

[AKconsult]

I give up.

Can someone please help w/ this question? I am totally confused by the AIRE/ERPA websites.

If I have a PTIN (because I prepare Forms 5330) but I have not yet taken the ERPA exam, must I satisfy the CE requirement for 2012?

I attended the ERPA conference this summer and I am assuming those hours will qualify, but how do I check that I was given credit for them?

Thanks!!

[ETA Consulting LLC]

There isn't a CE requirement for a PTIN. You don't have to pass any tests to obtain it, so there wouldn't be any continuing education requirement.

The ERPA, on the other hand, would require annual CE.

Good Luck!

[AKconsult]

I do not believe this is correct - there does appear to be a CE requirement.

According to IRS Notice 2011-80, if a person has a provisional PTIN , there is an annual CE requirement. PTIN holders who do not meet the CE before 12/31/12 will not be permitted to renew their PTIN. PTINs must be renewed between 10/15 and 12/31 for the following year.

According to a McKay Hochman email alert, individuals with a provisional PTIN used to complete Form 5330 must complete the 2012 CE requirement in order to renew the PTIN for 2013 (15 hours CE).

However, my understanding is that once you become an ERPA, you do not have to satisfy any kind of CE for the PTIN, but there is an ERPA CE requirement.

My confusion is that IRS Notice 2011-6 said that only 1040 preparers have a CE requirement and that individuals who only prepare forms 5330 are not subject to competency testing or CE requirement (according to ASPPA asap from 1/4/11)

[Peanut Butter Man]

There is an IRS webpage that compares all of the tax return preparer categories. It says that if you are a non-1040 return preparer, you must have a PTIN but there are is no continuing education requirement. http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Overv...er-Requirements

This IRS website defines who a non-1040 return preparer is. http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Notic...-1040-Preparers

Also see this IRS webpage which says that if you are a Registered Tax Return Preparer and an enrolled agent, attorney or CPA, the 15 CE hours required for the RTRP certification are included in the continuing education earned for the other credential. http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/CE-FA...ax-Professional

This IRS webpage explains when an ERPA needs a PTIN - http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Enroll...-need-a-PTIN%3F

One advantage for having a PTIN if you are an ERPA is that the new IRS continuing education reporting system allows IRS Continuing Education Providers to report continuing education credits earned for ERPAs with PTINs, so you can log into the IRS system and see what continuing education you have earned.

[AKconsult]

Perfect - this was very helpful! Thank you!