Florida Businesswoman, Alice Guy Azzaro, Meets with Congressman Patrick Murphy and Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio to Discuss Taxpayer Issues
Wellington, FL (PRWEB) May 20, 2016 -- Alice Guy Azzaro, EA, MST, MBA a Wellington, FL, businessperson, met with the DC office of Florida Congressman Patrick Murphy and Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio on May 4 to discuss important issues affecting taxpayers as part of the annual National Association of Enrolled Agents’ (NAEA) “Fly-in Day.”
Nearly 100 enrolled agents (EAs) from across the country came to Capitol Hill to speak with their elected representatives about vital issues for enrolled agents: tax reform, IRS’ proposed ninefold increase to the fee charged for the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE), a three part test required to earn the enrolled agent credential; minimum standards for all tax return preparers; and IRS’ Future State vision, a new taxpayer-centered portal that will hinder the ability of tax professionals to provide the best possible representation to their clients. They started their day of meetings on Capitol Hill, and ended the day with a celebratory reception at which Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) spoke.
Alice Guy Azzaro holds the enrolled agent (EA) credential issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, as well as a Masters in Taxation and an MBA in Accounting. Enrolled agents are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled agents specialize exclusively in taxes – that’s why they’re known as America’s tax experts. She is currently pursuing the Doctorate of Business Administration in Accounting and the CPA designation.
“I was greatly encouraged by my visits," Alice Guy Azzaro, said, “An increase from $11 per part to $99 per part would nearly double the cost of each section of the SEE, and could prevent some tax professionals from pursuing the EA credential. I was also glad for the chance to focus attention on tax return preparer oversight. The IRS voluntary program does little to ensure that taxpayers are not taken advantage of by incompetent or unscrupulous preparers. Many in our larger community, mostly low income and minority taxpayers, are victimized by unscrupulous preparers. Oversight can help to provide better tax preparation and representation in all communities.”
The third issue NAEA members are addressing is the new portal for online accounts IRS has created that will provide taxpayers with easy pay options, direct communication with IRS personnel, and online installment agreements. Unfortunately, IRS sees a multiyear gap for practitioner access to similar accounts. This delay will infringe upon taxpayers’ right to representation and, we fear, lead taxpayers to settle with IRS when they shouldn’t.
As part of her research, Ms. Azzaro also discussed tax reform with each office. Issues ranged from income redistribution strategies to education credits and beyond. Each representative has since provided information on their tax reform policy that will be analyzed and incorporated in the research.
By personally meeting with the Washington offices of each representative, Alice Guy Azzaro participated in a true grassroots effort to promote the tax preparer profession and protect the American taxpayer. Participants educate legislators about issues affecting tax return preparers and obstacles preventing the tax code from being fairly applied and reasonably enforced.
Alice Azzaro, Management Accounting and Payroll Solutions LLC, http://www.mapsolutionsllc.com, +1 5617792218, [email protected]
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