Tax Defense Network: Complaints Against Tax Professionals
Tax Defense Network wants to inform taxpayers of their right to file complaints against their tax practitioner if they feel they were misrepresented. There are four categories of tax professional misconduct that can be reported:
- Complaints of misconduct representing a taxpayer.
- Complaints of falsifying tax returns.
- Complaints of knowingly giving bad tax advice or gross incompetence.
- Complaints of misconduct not involving taxes or the IRS.
Tax Defense Network urges complaints to be sent to the IRS' Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) if you believe that a tax professional has acted in any of these categories. The complaints will then be reviewed by an attorney who will determine if the allegations warrant a further investigation.
If the complaints are proved true, a letter is sent to the practitioner in question indicating a Circular 230 violation, and allows time for a response to the complaints. Repercussions of complaints include:
- Disbarment: A permanent revocation of the right to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
- Suspension: A temporary revocation of the right to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
- IRS Reprimand: Disciplinary action from the Director of the practitioner.
- Censure: A public reprimand of the practitioner.
The practitioner may appeal the OPR, and may be reinstated (if disbarment was a result of the complaint) after five years, but that decision is solely up to the Director of the practitioner. Taxpayers can investigate if their current tax professional has ever been sanctioned by the OPR by contacting the OPR via email or postal mail with the name and address of the practitioner. If the practitioner is not an enrolled tax professional, but you still want to inquire into their sanction history, complete an IRS Form 3949-A.
Tax Defense Network wants to clarify any complaints involving money will be seriously investigated by the OPR, but the OPR is not able to force a refund from the practitioner. However, the refusal of a refund will be considered when reprimanding the tax professional.
Tax Defense Network takes complaints seriously. We believe that tax practitioners should always act ethically and professionally when handling a client's taxes. We aim to provide our client's with an ideal experience and give them solutions to their tax problems that are realistic and trustworthy.
If you have a tax debt because of tax professional complaints, Tax Defense Network can help. We take pride in our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce membership. Our goal is to help taxpayers resolve their IRS debt quickly and affordably. Remember, we will not take you on as a client unless we are sure we can help. Call us today for a free consultation about your tax issue.
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