According to the IRS, millions of Americans use tax preparers every year to help them with their income taxes. However, the help you've been paying for is about to change. Starting in September, the IRS is going to begin enforcing strict new tax preparer certification rules. All of these tax preparer regulations will take effect in the 2011 tax season.

The IRS says this tax preparer regulation is designed to make sure that Americans have more capable tax assistance. However, opponents of the changes say they're hurting the tax preparer industry by adding unnecessary fees. So, what are the facts?

Here's what the new tax preparer certification entails:

1. Starting on September 1, 2010, all tax preparers must register with the IRS. A tax preparer's registration will last for three years, and of course, there's a registration fee. According to the IRS, each tax preparer will have to pay $75-$300 every three years to keep their registration current.

During the tax preparer registration process, the IRS will check to make sure that each applicant does not have a criminal background and actually pays his own taxes. Then, the tax preparer will be given a PTIN, or a Preparer Tax Identification Number. That's the number they'll put on your signed tax form before it's sent to the IRS.

2. As part of this tax preparer certification, each registered tax preparer will have to pass competency tests. The tests, which should begin in the spring of 2011, will be available online, and will be open book. Each tax preparer will have to pay another fee to take the tests.

3. As part of the tax preparer registration, each preparer will also be required to take continuing education classes. To comply with this part of the certification, each tax preparer will have to pay for the classes, in addition to the registration and test fees. Each tax preparer will have to complete 15 hours of continuing education every year.

4. Once the tax preparer registration is complete, each preparer is subject to the ethical rules created by the Department of Treasury. Originally, these rules were only intended for accountants, attorneys, and enrolled agents.

So, what happens if you don't comply with the new tax preparer certification rules? The IRS says it will investigate tax preparers who try to operate without registering, and there will be penalties, but they haven't said exactly what those penalties will be. As for consumers, they will be able to check a new tax preparer certification database, to see if their service has successfully completed the tax preparer registration process.

The good news for tax preparers is that several organizations like the National Board of Tax Practitioners are offering assistance. The NBTP is offering a free workshop titled "How to Survive IRS Tax Preparer Regulations" these workshops are being offered in select cities throughout the nation. Over 45 workshops presentations will be offered, in both English and Spanish. Attendees will receive detailed information on how to comply with the new IRS regulations. The workshop will also provide valuable industry details regarding client retention and the future of bank products known as refund anticipation loans and electronic refund transfers.

For more information you can visit their website are http://www.nbtponline.com or the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov