AL SJR80

Expresses Alabama's support for federal guidelines requiring tax preparers to register with the federal government, pass competency tests, and complete annual continuing education courses, effective for the 2011 tax season.

Notes that Alabama passed the Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act in 2009 to regulate tax preparers with certification and licensing requirements, as no educational qualifications or training standards currently exist in the state.

Cites that $133 million in Earned Income Tax Credit dollars went undistributed to Alabama families in 2008 due to unqualified tax preparers, and unlicensed preparers charge high fees and offer predatory loans with interest rates as high as 800 percent.

Directs that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Alabama Congressional Delegation and President Barack Obama commending their work on establishing federal tax preparer regulation standards.