[calicpa]

If our small accounting firm prepares a tax return as a favor for a client, and I am being compensated not through the client, but through my firm, am I a paid tax preparer?
Found this online:

A person who prepares a return or a claim for refund for a taxpayer with no explicit or implicit agreement for compensation, even if the person receives an insubstantial gift, return service, or favor, is not a preparer.19 – See more at: https://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2009/aug/taxpreparerpenaltieswhoisapreparer.html#sthash.EvpDrEUN.dpuf

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Tncincy]

You work for the firm, the firm's name is on the return, your firm is responsible for the information on the tax return. Your job duties need to be a little more clear. You should know what you are hired to do. You will need ptin if you are indeed a paid preparer. I run my own company, the only one prepares taxes is me, the clerk answers the phone, make appointments, zerox, etc. They do not prepare taxes or answer tax questions. I hope this helps.

Yes I have done plenty of favors and did not get paid, but I assume responsibility to complete the return with accuracy and care, and due diligence to best of my ability. So be careful when you say favor, even if you're not getting paid.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[calicpa]

Sorry should of been a little bit more clear. We do not do taxes normally. I was not hired to do taxes. To my understanding, we are not a paid tax preparer so we don't have to sign? That is the conclusion I came to so far with the research I have done. But I am being paid by my firm, so does that make me a paid preparer?

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[KaliKingz]

What are you asking, exactly? I'm not trying to be a jerk, but, yes, you are a paid prepare. You prepared a tax return and you get paid by your company.

Are you trying to find out if you need a PTIN? Not for this one return. Do you want to know if your firm is liable? What does you engagement letters say? Your firm may be liable if the client proves that his payments were for all services you performed, especially as CPA's.

Again, it's hard to offer much input without a proper question.

[Want2BeCPAsoBad]

you are not a paid tax preparer and you do not need a PTIN if you are the staff on the return and under the supervision of a CPA. However, YOU CANNOT sign the return. A licensed CPA or Tax prepare needs to sign it. OR the individual can sign his own return . Remember one can self prepare and report. But this why I don't do any favors. LOL

[Author]

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