Professional & Ethical Standards: Understanding IRS Circular 230
Stuart Sobel
Copyright^© 2010

Course: 4100556   Version 1202

DROPPED 8/22/2012

Interpreting tax law for the benefit of a taxpayer is a challenging task. Ethical dilemmas will continually arise, and practitioners must weigh the consequences of their moral choices to determine if their decisions are proper. Although there is always the risk that the client will not want to receive the interpretation or the advice that the practitioner provides, the tax professional must do the “right” thing.

This course will help you understand requirements, resolve dilemmas, and protect your clients to the full extent allowed by law. Circular 230 governs the practice of CPAs, attorneys, enrolled agents, actuaries, and appraisers before the IRS. The course will also discuss practice situations that are covered by other IRS policies and practices delineated in the Internal Revenue Manual.

Major topics include:

• IRS Office of Professional Responsibility
• Circular 230 as a summarization of treasury regulations
• Persons able to practice before the IRS
• Definitions of practice
• Furnishing information to the IRS
• Knowledge of a client’s omission
• Diligence to accuracy
• Reliance on other persons
• Unconscionable and contingent fees
• Permitted solicitation
• Client records in fee payment disputes
• Conflicting interests
• Best practices for tax advisors when providing written opinions
• IRS authority to disbar or suspend a practitioner
• IRS policy statement dealing with multiple year failure- to-file situations and barred statute of limitations
• Powers of attorney
 

• Section 1
• Describe the purpose and responsibilities of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.
• Section 2
• Evaluate actions taken in the representation of clients to determine if they are in compliance with Circular 230.
  
• Section 3
• Identify proper fee charges for clients in IRS practice issues.