NITPA and it's members have long requested the IRS provide standardized testing to the ERO's currently sanctioned by the Internal Revenue Service and the other ten Federally Mandated Regulatory Committees that currently govern the Tax Preparer Industry.  "We have consistently been a proponent for national IRS monitored testing for our members.  Testing that is standardized throughout the country and provided or managed by the Internal Revenue Service has always been in the best interest of our members and the citizens of both Alabama and the U.S."

J.C. Snowden II
NITPA President
www.NITPA.com

According to the National Independent Tax Preparers Associations Tax Professionals in Alabama and other states are highly regulated by over ten Federal Regulatory Oversight Committees which are listed below.

There are more than eleven Federal Acts and IRS Rules currently governing the Tax Preparer Industry.  When other industries such as the Cosmetology Industry were Regulated in Alabama they did not have Ten (10) or more Federal Laws, Rules and Regulations already providing oversight.

Truth in Lending Act 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act,
Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal Trade Commission Act
Fair Debt Collection Practices
Electronic Funds Transfer Act
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
National Bank Act
USA Patriot Act
John Warner National Defense Appropriations Act of 2007
Internal Revenue Code of 2008, 2009.

As noted form early press releases the NITPA is in great concern for the newly proposed Alabama Legislation SB 201.  This bill drastically modifies the lives of nearly everyone of the 4 million Alabama Citizens in the State.  A bill of this size and with such drastic effects would normally be reviewed with additional consideration and more importantly better a better understanding by those through out each of the many districts represented by both the House and the Senate.  The industry is already regulated by (11) federal oversight committees which should give us some comfort that the Alabama Legislators could at least take a little of their time allowing it to be reviewed, understood and explained to the public before it is just past and made into law. 

If your a business owner in your district you should voice an opinion regarding SB201 and at a minimum request to be represented by your districts representative regarding due process and the fact that no legal business should be able to be closed down based on a rumor, especially if such rumor didn't even have to have occurred.

The National Independent Tax Preparers Association which after last week now represents the voices and interest of over 500 industry related parties in Alabama alone with additional voices and representation from North Carolina throughout side the continental U.S. Due to being in the middle of the busiest part of their season these local independent business owners are completely unaware of the Bill's existence especially since it's most recent modifications have only been made public late last week providing now less than 4 days for anyone to become aware of it's changes.

More importantly no one is aware of the understandings as to how it would work and why such drastic board modifications and board oversights were created.  As it is written the Board in SB201 would have greater jurisdiction rights and stronger regulation abilities than what is afforded to the U.S. Senate and the United States Congress, not to mention the President himself.  There are more than eleven Federal Laws and IRS Rules currently governing the Tax Preparer Industry.  When other industries such as the Cosmetology Industry were Regulated in Alabama they did not have Ten (10) or more Federal Laws, Rules and Regulations already providing oversight. 

The current federal oversights governing this industry are as noted below;

Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices, Electronic Funds Transfer Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, National Bank Act, USA Patriot Act, John Warner National Defense Appropriations Act of 2007 and the Internal Revenue Code of 2008, 2009.
 
The State of Alabama is in the process of passing a law that would directly and indirectly effect each and everyone of the citizens of the state and would in affect be a direct conflict with the U.S. Bill of Rights and the 14th amendment.  NITPA firmly opposes any new legislation that would deny American Citizens the right to due process and allow a "Board member who can not be held personally liable" to shut down a business without due process based on a "Alleged Alligation" or "rumor" and especially if such a board member didn't even have to prove that such "alleged/rumor" actually did indeed take place.

SB 201 would allow an anonymous alleged allegation as the only substantiated evidence needed or required to close down a business in Alabama. (section d page 10, SB 201) The National Association Independent Tax Preparers is highly in agreement with the need for the advancement of testing and furthered education within the industry.

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Thank you,
J.C. Snowden II
President
NITPA
National Independent
Tax Preparers Association

866-910-5899