I won't argue with you that there are those in our profession being slow to embrace technology, but don't fault them entirely. My opinion is that the IRS saying they needed to discontinue e-services for POAs because the service wasn't being used was total hogwash. On the contrary, I think that it was being used so much that the IRS didn't trust that professionals were actually obtaining their clients signatures before filing. I truly think the IRS went to the Fax method so that they could "see the signatures". I'm tired of how the IRS "mistrusts" the preparer community. Another case in point, is the new version of the form 8867 "Paid Preparer's Due Diligence Checklist". Now the IRS wants us to verify that we "asked" what we should be asking. How Draconian is that?
Craig,
You brought back some memories that I wanted to forget about taking the exam. I also wanted to add that the test was only given in select cities back then as well. I had to travel to the nearest test site which was McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. I was one of hundreds taking the exam in the big room at McCormick Place. I only passed 3 parts on my first try. I missed passing the remaining part by just a couple of points. I studied even harder the next year because I wasn't going to fail getting my E.A. over one stinking part. And, I do remember the wait for the results and the wait for the background check to taking an agonizingly long time.
Last summer, I helped write questions for this latest revision of part 1 questions and I think it is much easier than when I took the exam. The IRS does not necessarily want an easy exam but they do feel that it should be easy enough to pass if you study and have a few years of tax preparation under your belt. The fact that you can now use a calculator and take one part at a time at a local testing center takes away a lot of the unnecessary pressure when taking the exam.
I've been doing this for over 35 years...started when I was 12. Ok, I started when I was 20 and in college.
Like you, Craig, I think I am cutting edge. Everyday I'm reminded that I am not really.
I do have to say that you should get rid of your fax machine. I use efax. My faxes come to my email address and I can send faxes through my online account by choosing the files from my computer.
My answers
I won't argue with you that there are those in our profession being slow to embrace technology, but don't fault them entirely. My opinion is that the IRS saying they needed to discontinue e-services for POAs because the service wasn't being used was total hogwash. On the contrary, I think that it was being used so much that the IRS didn't trust that professionals were actually obtaining their clients signatures before filing. I truly think the IRS went to the Fax method so that they could "see the signatures". I'm tired of how the IRS "mistrusts" the preparer community. Another case in point, is the new version of the form 8867 "Paid Preparer's Due Diligence Checklist". Now the IRS wants us to verify that we "asked" what we should be asking. How Draconian is that?
Craig,
You brought back some memories that I wanted to forget about taking the exam. I also wanted to add that the test was only given in select cities back then as well. I had to travel to the nearest test site which was McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. I was one of hundreds taking the exam in the big room at McCormick Place. I only passed 3 parts on my first try. I missed passing the remaining part by just a couple of points. I studied even harder the next year because I wasn't going to fail getting my E.A. over one stinking part. And, I do remember the wait for the results and the wait for the background check to taking an agonizingly long time.
Last summer, I helped write questions for this latest revision of part 1 questions and I think it is much easier than when I took the exam. The IRS does not necessarily want an easy exam but they do feel that it should be easy enough to pass if you study and have a few years of tax preparation under your belt. The fact that you can now use a calculator and take one part at a time at a local testing center takes away a lot of the unnecessary pressure when taking the exam.
I've been doing this for over 35 years...started when I was 12. Ok, I started when I was 20 and in college.
Like you, Craig, I think I am cutting edge. Everyday I'm reminded that I am not really.
I do have to say that you should get rid of your fax machine. I use efax. My faxes come to my email address and I can send faxes through my online account by choosing the files from my computer.