TXCPA Opposition to IRS OPR-RPO Consolidation
In a letter to the IRS, TXCPA opposed the merger of the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office, saying it risks blurring the line between licensed and unlicensed preparers. TXCPA urged keeping the offices independent.
This week, the IRS announced the creation of a new Tax Professional Management Office, consolidating oversight of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) with the Return Preparer Office (RPO). This action occurred just as the Federal Tax Policy Committee of the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) was preparing to publicly release a letter outlining significant concerns with this restructuring.
Although the reorganization has now been implemented, TXCPA has formally submitted its letter to the IRS to ensure our concerns are part of the record. At the core of our position is the need to preserve the clear and meaningful distinction between licensed and non-licensed preparers — an issue we believe is fundamental to protecting taxpayers and maintaining professional standards.
While the IRS has indicated that the OPR and RPO will remain operationally independent within the new structure, we strongly urge the agency to follow through on that commitment. Maintaining the independence, authority and distinct missions of these offices is critical to effective oversight and public trust.
We are sharing our letter with TXCPA members and other stakeholders to underscore the importance of this issue and to advocate for thoughtful implementation of this new structure.
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