IRS Not Processing New Tax Preparer PTINs Right Now

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IRS PTIN System Overloaded, Not Yet Processing New Tax Preparer PTINs

We heard from a Pronto Tax Class Student today that she was not able to get her Preparer Tax Identificatin Number (PTIN) from the IRS website. Normally, new tax preparers are able to get their PTINs completely online at: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=210909,00.html. But now it appears that the IRS system is not processing new tax preparer PTIN applications, they are only renewing PTINs for existing tax preparers.

What is the deal, when will IRS start processing PTIN applications for new tax preparers?

Click “read more” link below to see what we’ve found out about this issue, also here is a link to the IRS PTIN video so you can keep in mind the overall IRS PTIN initiative:

The IRS has been experiencing extremely high call volumes and website traffic related to these Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Remember, the IRS estimates that there are between 900,000 and 1.2 million tax preparers in the United States–and now, every one of those needs a PTIN.

You can do the math and see that the IRS systems are under a lot of strain to deal with this many demands for PTINs, all the phone calls about PTINs, and so forth. Not sure if they didn’t anticipate the demand or what, but the system can’t seem to handle the heavy volume of PTIN applications as of now.

The IRS approach to dealing with this problem of PTIN overload has been to put new tax preparers to the “back of the line” so to speak and get PTIN renewals for existing tax professionals under control first. This does NOT mean that you will not be able to get your PTIN before tax season. It does mean that you will have to be a little bit patient, and wait for the IRS to get its PTIN system fully functioning and stable.

We called the IRS PTIN hotline today (877-613-PTIN) and asked when this would be fixed, and a rep told us it’s being actively worked and should be hopefully within 10 days. So hang tight, new tax preparers, and keep checking back in with the IRS PTIN page to see when they’ve re-opened up the system to new tax preparers…

In other words, stay tuned. And consider this your welcome to the wonderful world of taxes, where everyone operates on a “last minute” basis.

Have any news about this situation? Let us know about your experience getting a PTIN by emailing teacher@pronto4tax.com, thank you!

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