HB3631 Summary: Tax Preparer Consumer Bill of Rights Act

• Tax preparers must post prominent identification and qualification statements at their business premises with their name, contact information, and relevant training credentials, and provide customers with receipts containing their year-round contact details.

• The Department of Revenue must publish a consumer bill of rights regarding tax preparers annually by October 15th in a newspaper of general circulation, containing information about required postings, common services, preparer responsibilities, and complaint procedures.

• Tax preparers offering refund anticipation loans must provide written disclosures in English and Spanish (at minimum 14-point type) explaining that the loan is not a refund, stating all fees and the annual percentage rate, and comparing loan proceeds to the actual refund amount.

• Tax preparers are prohibited from requesting blank or incomplete tax return signatures, misrepresenting qualifications, charging fees based on refund amounts, making deceptive statements, and must sign all tax returns, provide copies to customers, and retain records for 3 years.

• Violations result in civil penalties of $250-$500 for first offense and $500-$750 for each subsequent violation; injured parties may sue for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.