AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX PREPARERS ACT OF 2013

HB 7613 (Tax Preparers Act of 2013) imposes penalties on paid tax preparers who mislead clients or act as "ghost preparers" (failing to identify themselves on returns or comply with IRS PTIN requirements). The bill requires preparers to sign returns with their PTIN and mandates $500 penalties for failing due diligence on tax credits, plus $1,000 penalties for willful fraud or tax evasion. It also authorizes suspending or revoking preparers' licenses and requires publishing a list of suspended/revoked preparers. This directly affects paid tax preparers preparing returns for compensation, with penalties applying per affected return.