PTIN list: curious about PTIN directory solicitations you may have received?

• Position: Preparer tax identification number - Brief article

Many AICPA members have received emails from companies that are publishing and promoting a list of persons who have registered with the IRS for a preparer tax identification number. These companies have purchased the IRS PTIN list, which is permitted under the Freedom of Information Act. Last year, the AICPA had numerous conversations with IRS staff questioning the appropriateness of the specific data items that the IRS released--such as mailing addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. The IRS did re-visit its FOIA releases and made some changes to partially restrict some of the data being collected from...