Thompson & McCarty, P.C. CPA

My office has recently received two notices from the IRS concerning a missing W-2 on a tax return.  In both cases the notice was 10 pages long and the explanation section (page 7 see pdf below) fails to foot and cross foot per their own schedule.  This is something that is common in the computer world among programmers that don't understand accountability and cross checking one's work.  This is not something that is acceptable in basic accounting circles much less tax notices from the IRS.

Recently the discussion has been front and center about regulating tax preparers. What we have is a government agency that wants to regulate standards for tax prepares. The same agency that needs 10 pages to explain a missing W-2 and then fails to follow basic accounting process in their explanation wants authority to govern tax preparers.   Two problems with this approach.  1.  Cost - This can only lead to higher pricing for professional tax services.  2.  If the IRS is governing your tax preparer, who is going to be your advocate?