Federal Complaint: Tax Return Preparer

Complaint: Tax Return Preparer
Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)
14157

Form
(June 2018)

Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service

OMB Number
1545-2168

Return Preparer Complaint

Use this form to file a complaint with the IRS against a tax return preparer or tax preparation business.
CAUTION: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM. There may be other more appropriate forms
specific to your complaint. (For example, if you believe you are a victim of identity theft, please complete Form 14039, Identity
Theft Affidavit).

Section A - Return Preparer Information (complete all known information)
1. Preparer's professional status (check all that apply)
Attorney

Certified Public Accountant

Enrolled Agent

Payroll Service Provider

Other/Unknown

2. Preparer's name and address

3. Preparer's business name and address (if different)

4. Preparer's telephone number(s) (include area code)

5. Preparer's email address

6. Preparer's website

7. Preparer Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN)

8. Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)

9. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Section B - Complaint Information
10a. Tax period(s) impacted
10b. Did you pay a fee to your preparer
Yes
No

If "Yes", enter fee amount

How did you pay the fee (e.g., deducted from refund, personal payment)
11a. Review the complaints below and check all that apply
Theft of Refund (Diverted refund to unknown account; return filed does not match taxpayer's copy)
E-File (e-filed returns using pay stub, non-commercial software or Free File without properly securing taxpayer's signature)
Preparer Misconduct (Failed to provide copy of return, return records, sign returns or remit payments for taxes due; misrepresentation of
credentials; agreed to file return but did not; filed return without authorization or consent.)
PTIN Issues (Failed to include Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) or any identification number on tax return; indicated the return was
"self-prepared" when it was not.)

False Items/Documents (False expenses, deductions, credits, exemptions or dependents; false or altered documents; false or overstated
Form W-2 or 1099; incorrect filing status)
Employment Taxes (Failed to file forms 940, 941, 943, or 945 or remit Employment Tax payment)
Return Preparer self reported event (Compromised PTIN, data breach/security incident, return count discrepancy, someone used your
identity to obtain a PTIN)

Other (explain below)

Attach a copy of any documents you received from the tax return preparer (e.g., tax returns, advertisements, business cards, Form
8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (including savings bond purchases), Contract for Service
Agreement, and Refund Transfer Agreement). Do not send original returns or payments with this form.
Catalog Number 55242M

www.irs.gov

Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)

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11b. Provide facts and other information related to the complaint (attach additional sheets if necessary).

Section C - Taxpayer’s Information

Yes

Are you the taxpayer?

No

This information may be necessary to process your complaint. If you are the taxpayer complete section C only. If you are not the
taxpayer, complete sections C and D.
12. Name of individual or business
13. Mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP code)

14. Telephone number(s) (include area code)
15. Email address

16. Taxpayer’s signature

17. Date of complaint

Section D - Your Information (do not complete if you are the taxpayer)
This information is not required to process your complaint but is helpful if we need to contact you for additional information.
19. Date of complaint

18. Name (Last, First, MI)
20. Mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP code)

21. Telephone number(s) (include area code)
22. Email address

23. Your relationship to Preparer
Client

Return preparer self reported event

Return preparer working for a different firm*

IRS employee

Return preparer working for the same firm*

Other (specify)

* Taxpayers’ information and any information relating to another professional are confidential. Please obtain your client’s consent before sharing any
protected tax information, even with the IRS.
The completed form along with all supporting information can be filed by fax or regular mail.
If faxing Form 14157 send to:

855-889-7957

If mailing Form 14157 send to:

Attn: Return Preparer Office
401 W. Peachtree Street NW
Mail Stop 421-D
Atlanta, GA 30308

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice
We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. We need it to ensure that preparers are complying with these laws and to
allow us to figure and collect the right amount of tax.
You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number.
Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law.
Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by Internal Revenue Code section 6103.
The time require to complete this form will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average time is 15 minutes. The primary purpose of this form is to
report potential violations of the Internal Revenue laws by tax return preparers. We are requesting this information under authority of 26 U.S.C. § 7801 and § 7803. Providing
this information is voluntary, and failure to provide all or part of the information will not affect you. Providing false or fraudulent information may subject you to penalties. We
may disclose this information to the Department of Justice to enforce the tax laws, both civil and criminal, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S.
commonwealths or possessions to carry out their tax laws. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce
federal non-tax criminal laws, and to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.

Catalog Number 55242M

www.irs.gov

Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)

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Instructions for Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer
General Instructions
What's New
Several questions were added about the fee for the tax preparation services. Questions were added to help tax return preparers selfreport issues with compromised PTINs, data breaches/security incidents, return count discrepancies or if someone used their identity to
obtain a PTIN.
Purpose of Form
Use Form 14157 to file a complaint against a tax return preparer or tax preparation business. Tax professionals can use this form to
report events that impact their PTIN or business.
Individuals who are paid to prepare federal tax returns must follow ethical standards and guidelines as established in Treasury
Department Circular 230. For more information on requirements for paid tax return preparers, view Circular 230 at www.irs.gov/taxpros.
Where to Send This Form
The completed form along with all supporting information can be filed by fax or regular mail.
If faxing Form 14157 send to: 855-889-7957
If mailing Form 14157 send to: Attn: Return Preparer Office, 401, W. Peachtree Street NW, Mail Stop 421-D, Atlanta, GA 30308
If a tax return preparer filed a return or altered your return without your consent and you are seeking a change to your account,
complete Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit, in addition to Form 14157. Submit both forms along with
the documents listed in the Form 14157-A instructions to the address indicated on the Form 14157-A.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE Form 14157:
- If you suspect your identity was stolen. Use Form 14039. Follow “Instructions for Submitting this Form” on Page 2 of
Form 14039.
- To report alleged tax law violations by an individual, a business, or both. Use Form 3949-A. Submit to the address on the
Form 3949-A.

Specific Instructions
Section A - Return Preparer Information
Preparer’s Professional Status - Indicate any professional credentials held, or claimed to be held, by the return preparer. An Attorney
is an individual in good standing with a state bar association. A Certified Public Accountant is an individual in good standing with a state
board of accountancy. An Enrolled Agent status is granted solely by the IRS upon the individual’s demonstration of special competence
in tax matters, by written examination, and passing suitability requirements. A Payroll Service Provider is a third party paid by an
employer to administer the employer's payroll and tax responsibilities. Select Other/Unknown if you are unsure of the preparer’s status.
Information about the Tax Return Preparer - Provide as much information as you know about the paid tax return preparer or
business.
Preparer’s Identification Numbers(s) - If known, provide the tax preparer’s Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN), Preparer
Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Section B - Complaint Information
Tax Period(s)
Indicate the tax period(s) of the tax return for which the tax preparer misconduct occurred. Most individual’s tax returns cover a calendar
year of 12 months, January 1 through December 31. For example, you may have a tax return that was prepared in 2013, but the tax
year is 2012 because the tax return covered calendar year 2012. A business's tax return can cover a quarter or a full year. For
example, you may have a Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, prepared for the period ending September 30, 2014.
Review the complaint allegations and check all that apply. Describe in detail the facts of your complaint in 11b. Attach a copy of any
documents you received from the tax return preparer. For Employment Tax complaints attach a copy of any Contract for Service
Agreement. Also attach additional sheets if necessary. Do not send original returns or payments.
Theft of Refund
A preparer:
- Embezzled or stole all or a portion of a client’s federal tax refund.
- Diverted a refund to an account that was not the client’s.
- Provided a copy of the return to the client that had direct deposit information that is not theirs.
- Provided a copy of the return to the client that does not match the return that was filed with the IRS.
- Failed to explain that a cash advance, fast refund, or instant refund was actually a refund anticipation loan borrowed against an
income tax refund and the related fees and interest charges.
Catalog Number 55242M

www.irs.gov

Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)

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E-File
A preparer:
- Filed a return electronically using a last payroll stub or a leave and earnings statement without waiting for the official Form W-2
from the employer. Return preparers are generally prohibited from filing a return prior to receipt of Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R.
- Used non-commercial software to prepare returns that appear self prepared by the taxpayer and is not including his or her name,
PTIN, or firm name. Similarly, the preparer used the “Free File” program to prepare and file tax returns for clients. For more
information on Free File, visit www.irs.gov/freefile.
- Filed a return electronically without securing taxpayer’s signature on Form 8879 (e-File Signature Authorization).
Preparer Misconduct
A preparer:
- Did not provide client with a copy of the return he or she prepared, and refused to provide a copy after a request.
- Did not return some or all of the client's original records.
- Did not sign the federal tax returns that he or she prepared.
- Claimed to be an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or registered tax return preparer, but does not actually have
the credential claimed or the credential is no longer valid (e.g. expired, suspended or revoked).
- Agreed to file return but did not.
- The preparer charged for services not performed.
- Did not remit payment for taxes due.
- Filed a return or submitted other information for a client without their knowledge, authorization, or consent.
- Failed to explain that a cash advance, fast refund, or instant refund was actually a refund anticipation loan borrowed against an
income tax refund and the related fees and interest charges. The return preparer was misleading, or failed to ensure taxpayers
understand financial products and related fees.
PTIN Issues
A preparer:
- Improperly used a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) belonging to another individual.
- Does not have a PTIN or is not including a PTIN on returns prepared.
False Items/Documents
A preparer knowingly:
- Claimed false or fictitious expenses and/or deductions on a tax return.
- Claimed unrelated, non-existent, unknown or additional information on a tax return.
- Made changes to a client's original tax documents or used false or incorrect documents to complete return.
- Claimed false or fictitious income and/or federal withholding on a tax return.
- Claimed an improper filing status on a tax return. The filing status claimed did not accurately reflect the taxpayer's family situation.
Employment Taxes
A preparer:
- Did not remit employment tax funds to the IRS on behalf of a client for Forms 940, 941, 943, 944, or 945 in full or on time.
- Did not prepare employment tax returns (Form 941, 940, 943, 944, 945) on behalf of a client in an accurate and/or timely manner.
Return Preparer self reported event
- If your PTIN has been compromised. For example, you believe someone else is using your PTIN on tax returns without your
authorization.
- You experienced a data breach or security incident.
- Return volume data from IRS sources is significantly different from your data.
- If someone used your identity to obtain a PTIN without your authorization.
Other
- If none of the above describes the nature of the complaint, briefly summarize the complaint. Some examples of other tax preparer
misconduct or improper tax preparation practices include, but are not limited to, fee dispute and bad behavior such as threats.
Section C - Taxpayer Information
Indicate if you are the taxpayer impacted by the tax preparer's misconduct or improper tax preparation practices.
Enter the taxpayer's name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number(s), and email address where he/she can be
contacted.
Taxpayer’s Signature – Sign and date.

Catalog Number 55242M

www.irs.gov

Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)

Page 5

Section D - Your Contact Information
Enter your name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number(s), and e-mail address where you can be contacted. This
information is not required to process your complaint but is helpful if we need to contact you for additional information.
Your Relationship to Preparer
Enter your relationship to the return preparer.
Taxpayers’ information and any information relating to another professional are confidential. Please obtain your client’s consent before
sharing any protected tax information, even with the IRS.

Catalog Number 55242M

www.irs.gov

Form 14157 (Rev. 6-2018)