The IRS announced that roughly 44,000 tax return preparers earned a record of completion after participating in the first Annual Filing Season Program. As previously reported, those individuals obtaining the record of completion are now listed in the IRS.gov Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, aims to help protect taxpayers and tax preparers alike.

Another benefit to completing the AFSP is to earn the right to represent clients before the IRS, starting in 2016. The deadline for earning a record of completion this year is December 31, 2015; more information about the program can be found here.

Source: Internal Revenue Service