The IRS has launched a special Tax Professional Awareness Week to assist tax professionals on what to expect during the filing season, the agency announced.

"As the 2024 tax season rapidly approaches, Tax Professional Awareness Week highlights the vital role they play in helping taxpayers and our nation," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. "Tax professionals play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of our tax system. We continue to urge taxpayers who need help to reach out to a trusted tax professional, including those who work with recognized national organizations."

During the week, the IRS will focus on several critical topics often faced by tax professionals through social media posts and outreach materials, such as due diligence issues, electronic filing identification numbers (EFINs), preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs), e-file, e-Services and identity theft.

The IRS will be offering two webinars: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions on Due Diligence on Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Sailing Through the Rules of Refundable Tax Credits on Friday, Jan. 12.

The webinars will include information on additional resources, training and tools available, at no charge, to tax professionals through the online Tax Return Preparer Toolkit. Attendees can earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit for attending the live webinars.

The IRS has more information available to help taxpayers select a tax professional. It also reminded taxpayers of services such as the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs that offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. For available more information and locations, see free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers.

To get the latest guidance on navigating clients’ tax issues, and to meet key IRS players and ask questions, attend the Foundation for Accounting Education’s NYSSCPA Meet The IRS Webcast on Jan. 25.