Tax Scams May Fuel Interest in Preparer Legislation, Werfel Says

Legislation to regulate tax return preparers will have its “best chance” this year, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said Tuesday.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that this could be the year that we get the type of legislative authority that we need to move forward and strengthen the overall environment by which tax professionals operate,” Werfel said, citing the growing attention on tax scams as a driver for such legislation. He was speaking at the Latino Tax Fest in Las Vegas.

Legislation on tax preparers would face obstacles to passage this year, given that lawmakers have limited appetite to pass bills and a ...