Fingerprinting

[dascpa]

Just read an article IRS is implementing fingerprinting for new e-file provider applications effective end of September.  Has anybody read/heard that the fingerprinting will also apply to existing e-file providers or just new ones?

[dkh]

I was fingerprinted when I applied for an EFIN way back in the early 90's

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

My understanding was, its the same as its always been theyre just changing to electronic fingerprinting, rather than fingerprint cards...should speed up the EFIN processing.

[dascpa]

I never had to be fingerprinted.  Maybe it's just because of age.

[sjrcpa]

CPAs were exempt from fingerprinting.

Just heard from a CPA in Texas that all CPAs there have to get fingerprinted for their CPA license.

[abctax55]

CA started requiring it in the last decade (or so)

I had to do it with a renewal 10-12 years ago.

[abctax55]

@dkh 

I vaguely remember having to do so also, way back then 😉

[TaxGuyBill]

I'm curious if fingerprinting actually does much good.

It's not going to do anything for those so-call tax preparers who use TurboTax.  And for those who use professional software but are trying to hide who they really are, I would think they would find a work-around, such as having somebody else get an EFIN or stealing an EFIN.

[abctax55]

@TaxGuyBill 

Keeps the honest, honest?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

thats all any rules or laws do anyhow. Keep the honest people honest.

[dkh]

Or maybe because you have a really honest looking face..... 😁

[IRonMaN]

Earlier this morning I read a release from MN Revenue related to a CPA in the Twin Cities that is in a bit of hot water because she was "helping" out clients by under reporting sales when she was preparing sales tax returns for them.  19 out of the 20 clients of hers that they audited had that issue. 

Then of course there was this earlier this week:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/28/business/ernst-and-young-sec-cheating-fine/index.html

I'm sure fingerprinting solves both of those issues. 😬

[BobKamman]

When fraudulent preparers are outlawed, only outlaws will be fraudulent preparers.

Or something like that. 

[dkh]

The E&Y article is crazy!!!!!  

[IRonMaN]

The big firms always have tended to make their own rules.  Evidently they thought allowing their new recruits to cheat was a good rule.  I'm guessing the part of the exam that they found most difficult was the ethics part of the exam.  Evidently cheating was they only way they could pass that section 😬

[poolcleaner]

I hate being so naive but how do you cheat on an exam like that? By the way, Spellcheck did not think naive was a word.

Another former All Star

[George4Tacks]

Spellcheck is immature and naive. Sometimes ya gotta lern it sumpin!

[sjrcpa]

Apparently someone had the answer sheet for the test and shared it.

[abctax55]

I find it interesting that E&Y was also busted in 2019... slow learners???

[IRonMaN]

"slow learners"

I guess that is why they have to cheat.