Summary of Changes

Summary of Changes.doc

Application for Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service

Summary of Changes

OMB: 1545-0950

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Form 23 and Form 8554 Redesign

Talking Points

October 15, 2007


Background

  • The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) plans to introduce a web-based Enrolled Agent (EA) application and renewal process in 2008. This new process, Pay.Gov, will allow applicants to apply for and renew their EA status on-line and pay the fees with a credit or debit card. Targeting:

          • February, 2008 to rollout Form 23, and

          • October, 2008 to rollout Form 8554.

  • As part of Pay.Gov, we reviewed and simplified our existing forms. We fast-tracked the redesign to meet a Pay.Gov programming deadline.

  • Formed a cross-functional IRS team in July, 2007 to review existing forms and make recommendations for changes.

          • Included representatives from OPR, Chief Counsel, General Legal Services and Tax Forms & Publications.

  • Just released the new designs – October 12, 2007.


Highlights of the new design

  • Simplified the application process to significantly reduce taxpayer burden.

          • Form 23 is reduced 75%, from four pages to one page.

          • Form 8554 is reduced 50%, from two pages to one page.

          • Placed the instructions on the back-side of the forms for easy retrieval.

          • Eliminated the requirement to attach copy of a letter showing proof of passing the Special Enrollment Examination

  • Better format for answering questions

          • Each form has “Important Things” reminder listed at the top

          • Divided the forms into parts to make them easier to complete.

  • Translated the form and instructions into plain language to make them easier to read, understand and complete.

          • Consistent wording and consistent questions on both forms

  • Simplified the amount of information we collect; only asking for information we need to process the forms.

  • On-line applications will match the paper forms

          • Form 23

            • Eliminated collection of multiple telephone numbers – asking for best daytime phone only.

            • Eliminated questions about birth date, place of birth, spousal information, and eligibility.

            • Eliminated Schedule A where we used to collect job-related information from former employees. Former employees will simply check the box at the top of the form.

              • No longer need to attach their position description to prove eligibility.

            • Eliminated Schedule B where we currently collect information on late filed returns or unpaid taxes. We will contact the applicant if we determine a questionable tax issue.

            • Reduced the number of professional practice questions from six to four.

  • Form 8554

  • Eliminated optional consent for IRS to disclose enrollment information. New regulations authorize us to disclose the address you provide to us on the forms. A special notice was issued in October to all Enrolled Agents to provide advance notice about this change.

  • Eliminated breakdown of CPE hours. New form only asks for total hours, by year.

  • We welcome your feedback and would appreciate any suggestions you have for future form enhancements or revisions.


Other OPR Initiatives

  • Streamlining the processing of our Enrolled Practitioner Program Office in Detroit.

          • Goal is to reduce cycle time for processing new applications and renewals that do not contain missing or questionable information.

          • 90-Day implementation plan

            • Project “Ease” – Enrolled Agent Simplification Effort.

  • Actively pursuing an Enrolled Agent Look-up feature on IRS.gov

  • Enhancing OPR information on IRS.gov to make it more user-friendly

          • Planning a November, 2007 launch for the new site.



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File Modified2007-11-02
File Created2007-11-02

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