Washington, DC – Last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) overstepped its authority by requiring all paid preparers to register with the IRS and provide for competency testing under its Registered Tax Return Preparer Program.

With the 2013 tax filing season just getting underway this week, Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany Jr., M.D. (R-LA) wrote to the IRS regarding concerns that the ruling and subsequent lack of guidance may be causing serious and unnecessary confusion for taxpayers.  Boustany pointed to the IRS website and indicated that it contains multiple references that read as if the invalidated preparer requirements remain in force.

In order to ensure the IRS is both minimizing confusion and taking appropriate steps to deal with the effects of the U.S. District Court’s decision, Chairman Boustany requested the IRS detail how it plans to inform taxpayers of this change and whether any adjustments were needed for the 2013 tax filing season.

The letter can be read here.