Supervised Preparers

Supervised preparers are individuals who do not sign, nor are required to sign, tax returns as a paid preparer. Supervised preparers are either

• Employed by attorney or CPA firms, or
• Employed by other recognized firms that 
  1. are at least 80% owned by attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled agents, and
  2. are supervised by an attorney, CPA, or EA who signs the returns as the paid tax preparer.

When a supervised preparer renews or applies for their PTIN, they provide the PTIN of their supervisor, and the supervisor’s PTIN must be valid and active.

Supervised preparers may NOT: 

• Sign tax returns they prepare or assist in preparing;
• Represent taxpayers before the IRS in any capacity;
• Identify themselves as a Circular 230 practitioner.

To indicate that a preparer is being supervised, from the Main Menu of TaxSlayer Pro select:

• Configuration
• Firm / ERO / Preparer Setup
• Preparer(s) Menu
• Select the preparer and select Edit
• Select Supervised Preparer and enter the Supervisor’s Preparer Code when prompted.

After doing the above steps, the supervisor’s information will print in the Paid Preparer section of the tax return rather than the preparer’s information. 

Returns that have already been started before indicating that the preparer is supervised will not automatically reflect the change. To refresh the preparer information in the return to reflect the change, from the Main Menu of the tax return select:

• Personal Information
• Preparer Code
• Enter 0 as the preparer code, and press Enter.
• Select Preparer Code again and enter the preparer code or, if asked if you’d like to associate the return with the current preparer, select YES.

Additional Information

IRS Notice 2011.6 – Supervised Preparers and Non-1040 Preparers