Those who want to work or volunteer in St. Lawrence County as tax preparers for 2019 will need to take training because of recent changes.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has announced the launch of the 2019 tax preparer registration application. Tax preparers can register for the first time or renew their registration now using the Tax Department’s online application.

Nearly 40,000 tax preparers in New York state must renew their registration to complete and file New York State personal income tax returns on behalf of their clients next year.

“Tax law changes have prompted plenty of questions this year,” Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion said in a prepared statement. “Tax preparers are asking for information and we deliver through this required training. Not only does it answer the most popular questions from preparers, it also builds their confidence to filing accurate returns through education.”

The registration requirement and regulations are to help protect taxpayers from unethical or incompetent preparers. This oversight reduces errors and omissions on tax returns, as well as outright fraud by rogue preparers. New York is one of only six states in the nation that requires tax preparers to meet specific professional standards, according to a news release.

In addition to annual registration, most individuals who are paid to prepare at least one New York State tax return in a year must take four hours of annual continuing education; and if they have fewer than three years of experience preparing New York State tax returns, complete a 16-hour basic tax course. Those who fail to comply with the standards of conduct face a range of disciplinary actions, from remedial education to suspension or, in some cases, cancellation of their registration.

Each year, the Tax Department processes more than 10 million individual tax returns, with approximately 70 percent of them completed and filed by paid tax preparers. However, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of returns prepared on their behalf.

Attorneys, certified public accountants, public accountants, and enrolled agents are not required to register as a tax return preparer, but must meet specific professional standards established by their licensing agencies. However, if you are one of the licensed professionals or other individuals listed above, and you facilitate RALs or RACs, you must register as a facilitator, the release said.