You are here: Home » Member Focus » OPR Director Clarifies Circular 230 at ERPA Conference

OPR Director Clarifies Circular 230 at ERPA Conference

Melinda | June 24, 2011 | 0 Comments

News from the Field
2011 ERPA Conference

Los Angeles (June 2, 2011)—The American Institute of Retirement Education (AIRE)—a partnership of ASPPA and NIPA— hosted approximately 90 Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents (ERPAs) from all over the country at the second annual ERPA Conference, June 2-3, in Los Angeles.

The conference was designed by ERPAs, for ERPAs, and provided practical solutions offered by industry experts, practicing ERPAs, and government representatives.

Featured speaker Karen Hawkins, Director of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) updated attendees on the Revised Circular 230 printed in the Federal Register on June 3, 2011 and effective August 2, 2011.

Hawkins said that ERPAs will not need to obtain a PTIN and the fee to be an ERPA is $30 for initial application or renewal every three years. Further, Hawkins stated that an ERPA may sign any of the Form 5300 Forms, including the Form 5330, as an ERPA without having a PTIN — and instead may use their ERPA number.

Hawkins also stated that an individual who has passed both of the two ERPA-SEE examinations and submitted a processible application, may count any CPE taken after submitting the processible application and passing the two examinations — but before the IRS has provided official notice of enrollment status as an ERPA — as CPE towards the ERPA’s enrollment cycle CPE requirements. She added that any time taken by OPR to process the application paperwork should not be a reason to deny otherwise legitimate CPE credits.

Other high-level IRS speakers included Monika A. Templeman, Director Employee Plans Examinations, Andrew Zuckerman, Director, Employee Plans Rulings and Agreements, and Karen Hawkins, Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility.

The IRS was also represented by Deborah Lohning, ERPA Program Manager and one of the co-chairs of the conference, Larry Burleson, IRS Group Manager, and JoAnna H. Weber, Area Manager, EP Determinations.

—Bill Grossman, ERPA, QPA
McKay Hochman