Abstract
This paper assesses the influence of tax preparers on tax compliance. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program and an index of legal ambiguity based on Revenue Rulings, the impact of preparation mode (paid third party vs. self) on compliance at the level of the return line item is probed. The results suggest that preparers contribute to compliance by enforcing legally clear requirements but also contribute to noncompliance, as measured by the IRS, by helping taxpayers take advantage of legal ambiguity. Furthermore, an analysis of a campaign to enforce estimated tax requirements conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue suggests that tax preparers are also an important network for communicating tax agency enforcement priorities to taxpayers.
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An earlier version of this paper was prepared for the conference on Federal/State Research sponsored by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
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Klepper, S., Nagin, D. The role of tax preparers in tax compliance. Policy Sci 22, 167–194 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141383
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141383