HB 05610 Summary

• Establishes State Board of Tax Practitioners with eight members to license and regulate commercial tax preparers and facilitators, effective October 1, 2016.

• Requires commercial tax preparers and facilitators to obtain licenses by meeting education requirements (70 hours of tax training), passing an examination, and demonstrating 1,100 hours of work experience over at least two of the last five years.

• Sets licensing fees at $100 for initial commercial tax preparer licenses and $50 for facilitator licenses, with annual renewal fees of $100 for both; requires 20 hours of continuing education annually.

• Prohibits tax preparers and facilitators from charging additional fees for refund anticipation loans or checks, engaging in unfair practices, including problematic clauses in loan documents, or collecting delinquent loans; violations subject to civil penalties up to $2,500.

• Exempts attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, government employees, and IRS-qualified tax preparers from licensing requirements.