Core Ethical Principles for Tax Practitioners 2026

Ethical compliance is foundational to effective tax practice, particularly when representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Circular 230 establishes the mandatory rules governing professional conduct for tax practitioners, including standards for competence, diligence, and integrity, as well as disciplinary procedures for violations. This ethics course provides tax professionals with a practical, structured walkthrough of the core ethical principles outlined in Circular 230 and how they apply in daily practice.

Led by Susan Harper, Certified Fraud Examiner and retired IRS Internal Revenue Agent, this course explores the key provisions of Circular 230, including the authority to practice, practitioner duties and restrictions, and sanctions for noncompliance. Participants will also examine return preparer penalties, how to research disciplined practitioners, and how to leverage Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) resources for timely guidance and updates. Through real-world examples and ethical scenarios, attendees gain actionable insight to strengthen compliance, reduce professional risk, and uphold ethical standards when advising clients.

Publication Date: July 2026

Designed For
This course is designed for tax professionals who represent or advise clients on federal tax matters and are required to comply with Circular 230 ethical standards.

Topics Covered

• Overview of Circular 230 and ethical obligations
• Rules governing authority to practice before the IRS
• Duties and restrictions related to practice before the IRS
• Sanctions and disciplinary procedures
• Return preparer penalties and compliance risk areas
• Researching disciplined practitioners
• Office of Professional Responsibility resources
• Ethics case scenarios and practical applications

Learning Objectives

• Explain the rules governing authority to practice before the IRS under Circular 230
• Apply practitioner duties and restrictions required when representing taxpayers before the IRS
• Identify sanctions and disciplinary actions imposed for violations of Circular 230
• Identify return preparer penalties and behaviors that trigger enforcement actions
• Explain how to locate and use resources identifying disciplined practitioners
• Demonstrate how to use Office of Professional Responsibility resources to obtain current ethical guidance

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None

Instructor