Final Treasury Regulations on rules and consent requirements relating to the disclosure or use of tax return information by tax return preparers became effective Dec. 28, 2012. For additional information about how these apply to services and education related to the Affordable Care Act, please see our questions and answers. For further information, see Rev. Proc. 2013-14 and Rev. Proc. 2013-19. On Dec. 30, 2009, the IRS issued proposed and temporary regulations (effective Jan. 4, 2010) and related revenue rulings addressing the use or disclosure of tax return information by tax return preparers. The regulations and related revenue rulings under section 7216 enable tax return preparers to more effectively provide a range of services that taxpayers would ordinarily expect from tax return preparers. Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulations amendments to the Section 7216 regulations—Disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns Revision to Section 301.7216-2 Guidance Description of the guidance: These final and temporary regulations provide updated guidance regarding the disclosure and use of tax return information by tax return preparers without taxpayer consent. These regulations expand the information tax return preparers may compile, maintain, and use in lists for solicitation of tax return business under section 301.7216-2(n) to include taxpayer entity classification or type and tax return form number. These regulations clarify that the section 301.7216-2(n) lists may not be used to solicit non-tax return preparation services. These regulations also clarify the phrase “tax information” in section 301.7216-2(n) by replacing that phrase with “tax information and general business or economic analysis for educational purposes. These regulations further clarify that due diligence performed in contemplation of a sale or other disposition of a tax return preparation business is “in connection with” the sale or other disposition of the section 301.7216-2(n) list compiler’s tax return business” and that tax return information made available for due diligence purposes is a disclosure of that information, not a transfer of that information. These regulations adopt the guidance provided in Notice 2009-13 related to section 301.7216-2(p) allowing certain expanded disclosures and uses of statistical compilations, subject to specific prohibitions, provided that the statistical compilations are anonymous as to taxpayer identity and contain data from at least 10 tax returns. Finally, these regulations allow the disclosure of tax return information to the extent necessary to accomplish required legal or ethical conflict reviews to avoid client conflicts of interest. These regulations also include specific restrictions and prohibitions applicable to the expanded uses and disclosures that are designed to appropriately balance taxpayer rights provided by section 7216 and its regulations without compromising those rights. Revenue Ruling 2010-04 Provides guidance on whether a tax return preparer is liable for criminal and civil penalties under Internal Revenue Code sections 7216 and 6713 when the tax return preparer uses tax return information to contact taxpayers to inform them of changes in tax law that could affect the taxpayers’ income tax liability reported in tax returns previously prepared or processed by the tax return preparer; uses tax return information to determine which taxpayers’ future income tax return filing obligations may be affected by a prospective change in tax rule or regulation and to contact such taxpayers to notify them of the changed rule or regulation, explain how the change may affect them, and advise them with regard to actions they may take in response to the change; or discloses tax return information contained in the list permitted to be maintained by the tax return preparer under section 301.7216-2(n) to a third-party service provider that creates, publishes, or distributes, by mail or e-mail, tax information and general business and economic information or analysis for educational purposes or for purposes of soliciting additional tax return preparation services for the tax return preparer, for the purpose of obtaining the ‘newsletter’ creation, publication, and or distribution services offered by the third-party service provider. Revenue Ruling 2010-5 Provides guidance on whether a tax return preparer is liable for criminal and civil penalties under Internal Revenue Code sections 7216 and 6713 when the tax return preparer discloses (1) to a professional liability insurance carrier tax return information required by the insurance carrier to obtain or maintain professional liability insurance coverage; (2) to a professional liability insurance carrier tax return information required by the insurance carrier to promptly and accurately report a claim or a potential claim against the tax return preparer, or to aid in the investigation of a claim or potential claim against the tax return preparer; (3) to a professional liability insurance carrier tax return information to the preparer’s professional liability insurance carrier in order to obtain legal representation under the terms of the insurance policy; or (4) tax return information to an unrelated attorney for the purpose of evaluating a claim or potential claim against the tax return preparer. News releases IRS issues proposed regulations adjusting use of some taxpayer information (Dec. 30, 2009) How do I? Section 7216 frequently asked questions
