Privacy

The IRS issued proposed regulations on the disclosure and use of tax-return information by return preparers. While a related IRS press release describes how the regulations will affect the offshoring of tax returns or tax-return information, they have broader implications for tax practitioners. Generally, the regulations revise the manner and form of obtaining a taxpayer’s consent to use or disclose tax-return information, adding a requirement that such consent be obtained before a preparer may share the information with a third party. The proposed regulations and other background documents are at www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=151368,00.html . Comments are due March 14, 2006.