APPLETON, WIS. / AGILITYPR.NEWS / September 17, 2026 / The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) is urging Senate leaders to move the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act (S. 3931) forward for consideration by the full Senate following overwhelming bipartisan approval by the Senate Finance Committee.

In a Sept. 15 letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., NATP thanked the senators for their bipartisan work on the legislation and asked them to work with Senate leadership to advance the bill. The Finance Committee approved the legislation 26-1 on July 30.

“A 26-1 vote sends a clear message that better taxpayer service and reasonable standards for paid tax return preparers are not partisan goals,” said Scott Artman, CPA, CGMA, CEO of NATP. “The committee has taken an important step. We hope the full Senate now has the opportunity to consider these reforms.”

The TAS Act includes more than 60 bipartisan tax administration reforms aimed at improving taxpayer service, modernizing IRS operations and strengthening taxpayer rights.

NATP supports the legislation because many of the issues it addresses are ones tax professionals encounter while helping taxpayers navigate the federal tax system.

Among its taxpayer service provisions, the legislation would expand online access to tax returns, notices and correspondence; allow certain responses to the IRS to be submitted electronically; provide more information about processing backlogs and telephone wait times; expand callback availability; and support greater electronic processing of taxpayer correspondence and paper-filed returns.

The legislation also would establish federal suitability and education requirements for certain paid tax return preparers.

Under the current proposal, the requirements generally would apply to paid preparers who are not CPAs, attorneys or enrolled agents in good standing and who do not qualify through a comparable state program. Required education would cover ethics, professional responsibility and tax law and would be capped at 18 hours annually.

The legislation also would provide notice and an opportunity for a hearing when the Treasury Department seeks to suspend or revoke a preparer tax identification number.

NATP supports reasonable education and accountability standards that encourage paid tax return preparers to remain current on tax law, ethics and professional responsibility while maintaining appropriate protections for tax professionals.

The TAS Act has not become law, and its provisions could change as it moves through Congress. NATP is asking Senate Finance Committee leaders to continue working with Senate leadership to move the legislation forward.

To further discuss the letter or NATP's stance on preparer regulation, please contact Nancy Kasten or Samantha Strong.