The 2024 preparer tax identification number (PTIN) renewal period for the nation’s nearly 800,000 active federal tax return preparers is now underway. All current PTINs expire on Sunday, Dec. 31.
Anyone paid to prepare or help prepare any federal return or claim for refund must have a valid PTIN from the IRS, which they must use as the identifying number on any returns prepared. Failure to have and use a valid PTIN may result in penalties.
The fee to renew or obtain a PTIN for 2024 is $19.75, down from $30.75 in 2023. The nonrefundable fee is set at $11 per application or renewal, plus an $8.75 fee payable to a third-party contractor.
The IRS urges paid tax return preparers with a PTIN expiring on Dec. 31 to use the online renewal process, which takes about 15 minutes.