High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The IRS Return Preparer Initiative is an effort by the Internal Revenue Service to regulate the tax return preparation industry. The initiative requires all paid federal tax return preparers to obtain and use an identification number, called a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), starting January 1, 2011. The multi-year phase-in effort calls for certain paid tax return preparers to pass a competency exam and to take continuing education courses. There is a recommendation to extend the ethics provisions found in Treasury Department`s Circular 230 to all paid tax return preparers. Preparers who have their PTINs, pass the exam and take education courses would, in the future, be given a new designation: IRS Registered Return Preparer.