Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Study: Drug coverage to vary under health law

(AP) ? A new study says basic prescription drug coverage could vary dramatically from state to state under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

That's because states get to set benefits for private health plans that will be offered starting in 2014 through new insurance exchanges.

The study out Tuesday from the market analysis firm Avalere Health found that some states will require coverage of virtually all FDA-approved drugs, while others will only require coverage of about half of medications.

Consumers will still have access to essential medications, but some may not have as much choice.

Connecticut, Virginia and Arizona will be among the states with the most generous coverage, while California, Minnesota and North Carolina will be among states with the most limited.

___

Online:

Avalere Health: http://tinyurl.com/d3b3hfv

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2012-12-04-Health%20Overhaul-Drug%20Coverage/id-ba71a6fce1b74b0fafcb22d5ff6862f1

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

News Corp Details Proposed Separation Of Businesses - Deadline

News Corp. has confirmed that Dow Jones editor-in-chief and Wall Street Journal managing editor Robert Thomson will become CEO of its publishing division once the conglomerate is split into two distinct entities. Rupert Murdoch?s company has also unveiled names for the two businesses: The publishing arm will retain the News Corporation moniker, ?in keeping with the company?s 60-year heritage of bringing news to the world,? and the entertainment company will be known as Fox Group. Today?s announcement focused primarily on the publishing business and notably said that stand-alone publication of The Daily iPad app will cease on December 15. The brand will ?live on in other channels,? the company said. Founding editor of The Daily, Jesse Angelo, will become publisher of The New York Post.

Other management moves include deputy editor-in-chief of the Journal, Gerard Baker, succeeding Thompson at the paper and at Dow Jones and the appointment of former MGM CFO Bedi Ajay Singh to the role of CFO of the publishing company. In London, BSkyB COO Mike Darcey will replace Tom Mockridge as CEO of News International; Mockridge announced his departure on Sunday. Below is this morning?s full News Corp press release:

NEW YORK ? December 3, 2012 ? News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today announced that Dow Jones Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal Robert Thomson will become the CEO of the new proposed publishing entity, following the Company?s intended separation into two independent, publicly traded companies.

In keeping with the company?s 60-year heritage of bringing news to the world, the publishing entity will retain the name News Corporation. The media and entertainment company, which began in earnest when Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch acquired 20th Century Fox and launched the Fox Network more than 25 years ago, will be named Fox Group.

As previously announced, Rupert Murdoch will serve as Chairman of the new News Corporation and Chairman and CEO of Fox Group. Chase Carey will serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of Fox Group, with James Murdoch continuing in his capacity as Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Under their collective leadership, Fox Group will continue to strengthen its creative content businesses and distribution assets, including enhancing its sports portfolio through key investments in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

?This is an incredibly exciting time, for me personally, and for our companies? ambitious futures,? said Rupert Murdoch. ?The challenges we face in the publishing and media industries are great, but the opportunities are greater.?

Murdoch continued, ?Under Robert?s leadership at News Corporation, we will build on our traditional mission to inform, entertain and enhance the lives of readers and viewers around the world, and relentlessly drive global growth by promoting excellence and investing in our businesses.

?At Fox Group, what began with the acquisition of a modest film studio over 25 years ago has grown into one of the world?s most successful media companies of all times, defying conventional wisdom at every turn by pursuing excellence in creativity and innovation. Fox Group is perfectly positioned to deliver even more inspiring stories that engage audiences through film, television, sports and digital platforms, driving not only financial results but a lasting imprint on the millions of people who enjoy our various services, in every corner of the world.?

LEADERSHIP OF THE PUBLISHING COMPANY

Robert Thomson, who has served as Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal since 2008, will begin his work as incoming CEO to the publishing company on January 1, 2013.

?From the moment we made the decision to split the company, I could think of no one better suited to be CEO of our publishing company than Robert Thomson. Robert has been an outstanding leader for the The Wall Street Journal, making it the dominant newspaper in the U.S. and greatly expanding its global reach through WSJ.com, which now publishes in eight languages. More than that, Robert is a person of unmatched integrity, whose passion and commitment to excellence have gained him the confidence and trust of his colleagues all around the world.?

Thomson commented, ?Rupert has been the driving force behind the renaissance of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones ? which have enjoyed readership and revenue growth in a complicated and evolving media market ? and we intend to lead a broader revenue renaissance for quality content. I am looking forward to working with him and our colleagues around the world to use the company?s esteemed past as a platform for the future. The global value of content is growing as the means of digital distribution multiply, providing us with a remarkable opportunity to profit from our employees? ingenuity and integrity. We have a collection of extremely successful companies, and our goal is to make the new News Corp far more than the sum of its distinguished parts.?

Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Thomson are pleased to announce the following key executives joining the publishing Company:

? Bedi Ajay Singh, who most recently served as President, Finance and Administration & CFO for MGM Studios, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Singh served as CFO at Gemstar-TV Guide, Novartis Pharmaceuticals and SONY Pictures Entertainment. Prior to 2000, he held a number of positions at News Corporation, including senior finance roles at News International and 20th Century Fox. Mr. Singh is a Fellow of the UK Institute of Chartered Accountants and started his business career with Arthur Andersen in London.

? Paul Cheesbrough, currently News Corporation?s Chief Technology Officer, will serve in the same capacity for the new publishing company. Mr. Cheesbrough was previously the Chief Information Officer at News International, where he was responsible for the organization?s technology strategy, delivery, transformation programs and digital products. Before joining News International, Mr. Cheesbrough served as Chief Information Officer at the Telegraph Media Group, and prior to that was Controller of Digital Media for the BBC.

? Keisha Smith will serve as director of Human Relations. She previously served in various management roles at Morgan Stanley, most recently as the Global Head of Recruiting and Chief Diversity Officer for the Firm. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Ms. Smith worked at the Financial Times where she led the staffing initiative for the launch of the FT.com venture.

In addition, Gerson Zweifach, currently General Counsel of News Corporation, will serve in a dual role as both General Counsel of Fox Group, and, for a period of one year following the separation, also of the new News Corporation.

FURTHER ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN NEW YORK

News Corporation also today announced that Gerard Baker, currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal, will succeed Robert Thomson as Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal, effective January 1, 2013. Following a thorough review and interviews with news staff and Company executives, Mr. Baker?s appointment was unanimously endorsed by the Dow Jones Special Committee.

Robert Thomson commented, ?Gerry has had a distinguished career that included a stint at the Bank of England, and a celebrated journalistic past at the BBC, the Financial Times and The Times, and I expect him to have an even more successful future as Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones. His international experience and his background in broadcasting will both be crucial editorial assets as the Journal and Newswires continue their ambitious global and digital expansion.?

Before joining Dow Jones, Mr. Baker was the U.S. editor and an assistant editor of the Times of London, where he wrote news, commentary and columns for Britain?s longest continuously published newspaper and oversaw U.S. coverage for the paper and online editions. From 1994 to 2004, Mr. Baker worked for the Financial Times, first as Tokyo Correspondent, where he wrote about the country?s financial crisis, and then, from 1998 to 2002, as Washington Bureau Chief, where he led a team of 10 correspondents and provided extensive reporting and analysis of the Federal Reserve. From 2002 to 2004 he was the FT?s Chief U.S. Commentator and an Associate Editor. He began his career as a news producer and correspondent at the BBC.

News Corporation also announced that effective immediately, Jesse Angelo, the founding Editor-in-Chief of The Daily and long-time Executive Editor of The New York Post, will assume the role of Publisher of The New York Post. As part of a digital restructuring initiative, the company will cease standalone publication of The Daily iPad app on December 15, 2012, though the brand will live on in other channels. Technology and other assets from The Daily, including some staff, will be folded into The Post.

Mr. Murdoch said: ?From its launch, The Daily was a bold experiment in digital publishing and an amazing vehicle for innovation. Unfortunately, our experience was that we could not find a large enough audience quickly enough to convince us the business model was sustainable in the long-term. Therefore we will take the very best of what we have learned at The Daily and apply it to all our properties. Under the editorial leadership of Editor-in-Chief Col Allan and the business and digital leadership of Jesse, I know The New York Post will continue to grow and become stronger on the web, on mobile, and not least, the paper itself. I want to thank all of the journalists, digital and business professionals for the hard work they put into The Daily.?

Paul Carlucci, who has served as Publisher of The New York Post since 2005 will focus exclusively on his role as Chairman of News America Marketing where he continues to generate important profits.

Greg Clayman, Publisher of The Daily, will oversee the Company?s global digital strategy, new digital investments and distribution partnerships, working with CTO Paul Cheesbrough.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN LONDON

As previously announced, Tom Mockridge, who has served as CEO of News International since July 2011, will leave the Company at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Mockridge will be replaced by Mike Darcey, who has served as Chief Operating Officer of BSkyB since 2006.

?I?m delighted that Mike Darcey has agreed to take the reins as News International?s new CEO,? said Rupert Murdoch. ?Mike is a world-class executive with unprecedented strategic and commercial experience and I look forward to benefiting from his many talents. His broadcasting background will provide important leadership in the development of our already impressive suite of digital products at News International.?

NEWS CORPORATION SEPARATION

On June 28, 2012, News Corporation announced that it intends to pursue the separation of its publishing and its media and entertainment businesses into two distinct publicly traded companies. The global publishing company that would be created through the proposed transaction would consist of the Company?s publishing businesses, its education division and other Australian assets. The global media and entertainment company would consist of the Company?s cable and television assets, filmed entertainment, and direct satellite broadcasting businesses. The global publishing company that would be created through the proposed transaction would consist of the Company?s current publishing businesses, as well as its education division. Following the separation, each company would maintain two classes of common stock: Class A Common and Class B Common Voting Shares. The separation is expected to be completed in approximately one year from the date of announcement. In addition to final approval from the Board of Directors and stockholder approval, the completion of the separation will be subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, opinions from tax counsel and favorable rulings from certain tax jurisdictions regarding the tax-free nature of the transaction to the Company and to its stockholders, further due diligence as appropriate, and the filing and effectiveness of appropriate filings with the SEC. There can be no assurances given that the separation of the Company?s businesses as described will occur. The Company expects to make preliminary filings regarding the proposed separation with the SEC shortly.

About News Corporation
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of September 30, 2012 of approximately US$60 billion and total annual revenues of approximately US$34 billion. News Corporation is a diversified global media company with operations in six industry segments: cable network programming; filmed entertainment; television; direct broadcast satellite television; publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Latin America.

Source: http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/news-corp-reveals-details-of-proposed-separation-of-businesses/

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UK's Prince William and wife Kate expecting a baby

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine are expecting a baby, destined to be the country's future monarch, although the mother-to-be is in hospital with a type of very acute morning sickness that sometimes indicates twins.

"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," the prince's office said in a statement on Monday, adding that Queen Elizabeth and the royal family were delighted.

The couple, officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, married in April last year, amid a global media frenzy and there has been much speculation, particularly in U.S. gossip magazines, about a possible pregnancy.

"It's only been a matter of time. Everyone has been waiting for Kate to announce that she was pregnant," Claudia Joseph, who has written a biography of the duchess, told Reuters.

A spokeswoman for the couple said 30-year-old Catherine, widely known as Kate, was in the King Edward VII Hospital in central London suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, an acute morning sickness which causes severe nausea and vomiting and requires supplementary hydration and nutrients.

Professor Tim Draycott, a consultant obstetrician at the University of Bristol, said the condition was common in the early weeks of pregnancy but did not put the baby at any increased risk, although in extreme cases it can lead to the baby being born with a slightly low birth weight.

Draycott told Reuters it may also indicate more than one royal baby may be in the offing.

"Hyperemesis is slightly more common with twins," said Draycott, explaining that the condition affected around one in 100 to 200 pregnant women.

William, a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, was at her side and she is likely to remain in hospital for several days. There was no detail about when the baby was due, although the prince's spokesman said she was less than 12 weeks pregnant.

"I'm delighted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby," Prime Minister David Cameron said on his Twitter website. "They will make wonderful parents."

BABY WILL BE KING, OR QUEEN

William, Queen Elizabeth's 30-year-old grandson, is second in line to the British throne, and their first child will become the third in succession when he or she is born.

Last year Britain and other Commonwealth countries which have the queen as their monarch agreed to change the rules of royal succession so that males would no longer have precedence as heir, regardless of age.

The agreement also means an end to a ban on a future monarch marrying a Catholic, a stipulation dating back some 300 years.

Britain's royal family are currently riding the crest of popularity on the back of William and Kate's wedding and the queen's diamond jubilee this year which has witnessed nationwide celebrations.

"It's something everyone can look forward to, just like their wedding brought the whole nation together," said Johanna Castle, 25, a sales assistant in an east London homewear and fashion store.

The young royal couple have become global stars after some two billion people tuned in to watch their glittering marriage ceremony and the sumptuous display of pageantry that accompanied it, and barely a day goes by without a picture of Catherine appearing in the pages of Britain's royalty-obsessed newspapers.

The duchess, the first "commoner" to marry a prince in close proximity to the throne in more than 350 years, is now a fashion icon, with her attire scrutinized every time she steps out in public and followed by legions of women around the world.

U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were one of the first to send congratulations, an indication of the young royals' popularity across the Atlantic.

"I know they both feel that having a child is one of the most wonderful parts of their lives. So I'm sure that will be the same for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

With their fame has come unwanted attention, and there was anger in Britain when topless photos of Kate relaxing on holiday were published in a French magazine in September.

The pictures rekindled memories of the media pursuit of William's mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while being chased by paparazzi.

"I will be very surprised if this isn't handled with the utmost tact and sensitivity," said media commentator Steve Hewlett. "Newspapers realize there's a huge amount of goodwill towards Will and Kate, and they take their cue from their readers."

"DADDY'S LITTLE CO-PILOT"

Kate made her last public appearance on Friday when she returned to her old school - a minor event that nonetheless generated live television coverage on news channels - when she looked healthy and joined in a game of hockey with pupils.

Earlier in the week William had hinted at a pregnancy during a visit to Cambridge in central England when they were given a home-made baby suit emblazoned with the words "Daddy's little co-pilot", a reference to William's job.

"When I gave it to him he said 'I'll keep that', and handed it to his aide," said Samantha Hill.

Joseph, author of "Kate: The Making of a Princess", said she believed the couple, who currently live in north Wales where the prince is based as a search and rescue pilot, had been waiting for the right moment to have a baby.

"My feeling has always been that they were not going to take the spotlight away from the queen in her Jubilee. But now 2013 is going to be William and Kate's year," she said, adding the couple would make wonderful parents.

"We have seen her with children and she is lovely with them, she's got the natural touch, and her parents run a party business and she has spent a lot of time with children," Joseph said. "(William) he has always talked about wanting children, so I am sure he is delighted."

(Additional reporting by Tim Castle, Peter Schwartzstein and Natalie Huet in London and Steve Holland in Washington; editing by Paul Casciato)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uks-prince-william-wife-kate-expecting-baby-075553845.html

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Pirate Toy Fund aims to send more than 2,000 toys to Sandy victims (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/268058635?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Rebels in Congo demand negotiations

GOMA, Congo (AP) ? Rebels believed to be backed by Rwanda said Sunday they would take back Congo's city of Goma if the government does not agree to negotiate with them by Monday.

The M23 rebels completed their withdrawal from the strategic eastern city on Saturday, in compliance with an agreement reached between the rebel group and a regional body.

"It pained us to withdraw from Goma after having lost men on the battlefield to conquer the city. But if it is the price for peace, we accept it," said Bertrand Bisimwa, the spokesman for M23's political branch. "There was no external pressure. Friends of Congo have advised us to give negotiations a chance."

The M23 rebels took the capital of North Kivu on Nov. 20, after battling the Congolese army for nearly a day. The group had defied two earlier ultimatums to leave Goma, raising the possibility they did not intend to leave and giving credence to a U.N. report accusing Rwanda of using the rebels as a proxy to annex territory in the mineral-rich eastern Congo.

The eight-month-old M23 rebellion is led by fighters from a now-defunct rebel group, who agreed to lay down their arms on March 23, 2009, in return for being allowed to join the ranks of the Congolese army. The rebellion, which takes its name from that accord, began in April when hundreds of soldiers defected from the military, saying that the terms of the agreement had not been respected.

Bisimwa said that by Sunday the rebels have not received information on whether the government had decided to negotiate.

"If negotiations have not started by tomorrow at 2 p.m. , 48 hours since our withdrawal, or if there are attacks on citizens in Goma, we will take back the city," he said. "We know that President Kabila is not trustworthy, but we want to give a chance for our friends to realize that too."

Despite the rebels' retreat from Goma, which was a pre-requisite set by the Congolese government for negotiations, President Joseph Kabila has not yet made clear if the government will negotiate.

"The head of state said that he will listen to the M23's grievances and re-evaluate the 2009 peace agreement, and then he will give an answer," said the spokesman for the government Lambert Mende. "No one will give them the chance," to return to Goma, he told The Associated Press.

The rebels have demanded the implementation of the 2009 accord that oversaw their integration in the army and the recognition of their ranks, and also positions in the government. Following their seizure of Goma, the rebels have also added a list of demands meant to re-establish good governance in Congo, such as the liberation of all political prisoners, the dissolution of the current electoral commission who was in charge during fraudulent elections in 2011, and the opening of negotiations inclusive of the civil society, the opposition and the diaspora.

But most analysts believe the origin of the rebellion is a fight over Congo's vast mineral wealth, a good chunk of which is found in the North Kivu province where Goma is the capital. Starting this spring, the fighters seized a series of small towns and villages in North Kivu, culminating with the capture of Goma, a population hub of 1 million and a key, mineral trading post.

"It's a vicious cycle in which these people rebel and then they are rewarded with high-ranking positions in the army and they can exploit our resources," said Thomas d'Acquin, the president of the civil society in North Kivu.

In Goma, people were worried that violence may flare up again soon if a compromise is not reached.

"We live in fear, it's unbearable," said 38-year-old resident Anatole Bilemba. "The M23 comes, they leave, the Congolese army will come back and then the M23 says they will too. How do we do anything?"

A security vacuum followed M23's departure from Goma, which has not yet been filled by the Congolese army. Only several hundred policemen are securing the city.

In Mugunga, a camp outside Goma, the U.N. confirmed that armed men raped six women and looted displaced people's belongings last night.

___

Associated Press reporter Saleh Mwanamilongo in Kinshasa, Congo contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rebels-congo-demand-negotiations-160835103.html

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Monday, December 3, 2012

Scientists discover how two proteins help keep cells healthy: Implications for cancer drug development

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have determined how two proteins help create organelles, or specialized subunits within a cell, that play a vital role in maintaining cell health. This discovery opens the door for research on substances that could interfere with the formation of these organelles and lead to new therapies for cancer.

The study, published online ahead of print on December 2, 2012, by the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, focuses on the structure and function of the two proteins, ATG12 and ATG5. These proteins need to bond correctly to form an organelle called the autophagosome, which acts like a trash bag that removes toxic materials and provides the cell with nutrition through recycling.

"Our study focuses on one of the big mysteries in our field," said Takanori Otomo, the TSRI scientist who led the effort. "These proteins are linked, but no one has explained why clearly. We're very excited to have determined the structure of these linked proteins so that the information is available to do the next level of research."

Asking Questions, Finding Answers

At the beginning of the study, Otomo and colleagues knew that many proteins work together to form autophagosomes as part of the process known as autophagy, which breaks down large proteins, invasive pathogens, cell waste, and toxic materials. As part of this process, one key protein, LC3, attaches to a lipid, or fat molecule, on the autophagosome membrane. Yet LC3 cannot attach to a lipid without the help of ATG12 and ATG5, and a cell will only form an autophagosome if the linkage, or conjugate, between these two molecules has been established.

Otomo and colleagues set out to determine the shape of the ATG12-ATG5 conjugate, and to find out why it was needed for LC3 lipidation.

Using a method called X-ray crystallography, the scientists were able to unveil the details of this conjugate. When ATG12 and ATG5 come together, they form a rigid architecture and create a surface area that is made up of evolutionarily conserved amino acids and facilitates LC3 lipidation. The researchers confirmed this finding by mutating those conserved amino acids , which prevented an autophagosome from forming.

Otomo and colleagues also identified a surface on the ATG12-ATG5 conjugate that binds to ATG3, another enzyme required to attach LC3 to the lipid.

Toward Better Understanding and New Cancer Treatments

With this new knowledge, the researchers hope to design molecules that inhibit autophagosome formation, a direction of research that has implications for cancer treatment. A drug that directly inhibits ATG3 binding, for example, could be used in coordination with current therapies to make cancer treatments more effective, preventing a cancer cell from recycling nutrients and prolonging its survival.

"Ultimately, we'd like to understand the molecular mechanisms of each step of autophagy," he said, "As we make progress toward this goal, we will have a better idea of how to manipulate the pathway for therapeutic purposes. This field is still young and there are a lot of unknowns. This work is just the beginning."

This research was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant GM092740 and by funds from Japan Science and Technology Agency through the Keio Kanrinmaru Project.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by The Scripps Research Institute.

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Journal Reference:

  1. Chinatsu Otomo, Zoltan Metlagel, Giichi Takaesu, Takanori Otomo. Structure of the human ATG12~ATG5 conjugate required for LC3 lipidation in autophagy. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2431

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/efU9jJ_Od0I/121202164103.htm

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How much does your tax preparer really know? - Art and Business ...

Business Woman with Question Marks - tax preparation - EA - tax specialistsHow much does your tax pre?parer really know?? ? In the past, any?body, whether they knew what they were doing or not, could pre?pare taxes for money. In 2011 the IRS began a pro?gram designed to bring unli?censed pre?par?ers into the fold.? All tax pre?par?ers are now sub?ject to Cir?cu?lar 230, but imple?men?ta?tion does not hap?pen over night.? In advance of test?ing tax pre?par?ers for their knowl?edge, the IRS issued a num?ber of pro?vi?sional Pre?parer Tax Iden?ti?fi?ca?tion Num?bers (PTINs), so that peo?ple in the tax prepa?ra?tion busi?ness could con?tinue to work, while they waited for the RTRP com?pe?tency exam to come online. Hun?dreds of thou?sands of unli?censed tax pre?par?ers renewed their PTINs in advance of the test?ing start date, obtain?ing the abil?ity to pre?pare tax returns with?out demon?strat?ing their com?pe?tency. Peo?ple who obtain pro?vi?sional PTINs have until Decem?ber 31, 2013 to pass the Reg?is?tered Tax Return Pre?parer (RTRP) Exam.

The IRS rolled out RTRP exam some time ago, and once the exams started the IRS stopped issu?ing pro?vi?sional PTINs. Only peo?ple who pass the exam can use the RTRP des?ig?na?tion.? Just like Enrolled Agents (EAs), the IRS main?tains a list of peo?ple who hold the RTRP des?ig?na?tion as well, so you can check to see if your pre?parer is licensed.

The RTRP exam only cov?ers series 1040 tax returns.? Those PTIN hold?ers who swear they will not pre?pare series 1040 tax returns will still be able to pre?pare other kinds of tax returns with out demon?strat?ing their com?pe?tency to pre?pare those other kinds of tax returns, as the IRS has not cre?ated exams for those other kinds of tax returns and may not do so for some time to?come.

How many RTRPs are there now? The Mem?ber Con?nect por?tion of the National Soci?ety of Accoun?tants Web site reported that as of late Sep?tem?ber 2012, the?Return Pre?parer Office of the IRS had issued 20,514 cer?tifi?cates to new RTRPs and the total num?ber of peo?ple who still needed to pass the com?pe?tency exam was 327,000. Those pro?vi?sional PTIN hold?ers are not break?ing down the doors to prove they know what they are doing; since licens?ing started, only 6% of pro?vi?sional PTIN hold?ers have both?ered to get licensed.

What do you need to know to pro?tect yourself?

If your paid tax pre?parer does not have a PTIN and refuses to sign with one, you need to be very sus?pi?cious; they are break?ing the?law.

Even if your paid tax pre?parer has a PTIN, but they do not have a license, such as an EA, or RTRP, they have not demon?strated their com?pe?tency to pre?pare your indi?vid?ual tax return. All pro?vi?sional PTIN hold?ers can pre?pare any tax return through 2013; sure, they are sup?posed to know what they are doing, and can lose their PTIN if they wind up in front to the IRS for doing a bad job, but that will not help you, after the?fact.

Remem?ber, if you have other kinds of tax returns you need pre?pared, and if you want to be sure the tax pre?parer has demon?strated some com?pe?tency to pre?pare that kind of tax return, you will want to hire an EA, the tax spe?cial?ists, or CPA or attor?ney who spe?cial?izes in tax issues.? An RTRP or unli?censed PTIN holder has not demon?strated com?pe?tency to pre?pare these other kinds of tax returns can still do so; again, even an unli?censed tax pre?parer is sup?posed to know what they are doing, and can lose their PTIN if they wind up in front to the IRS for doing a bad job, but that will not help you, after the?fact.

You are the one sign?ing that the tax return is true and cor?rect to the best of your knowl?edge; you will be respon?si?ble for what?ever your tax pre?parer does with your tax return.

As always, small busi?ness ser?vices and tax?a?tion are our busi?ness.? If you need help with taxes, or other ser?vices,? Please give Art & Busi?ness Con?sult?ing a call.? We would love to engage you as a client.

Jake Beck?man, EA & Chief Small Busi?ness Prob?lem Solver at Art and Busi?ness Consulting?LLC

The usual dis?claimers: Although ABC has made every effort to insure the accu?racy of Taxes, Tips and Tools, mis?in?for?ma?tion, dis?in?for?ma?tion, changes, mis?takes, typos and hack?ers hap?pen, there?fore Art & Busi?ness Con?sult?ing LLC takes no respon?si?bil?ity for any action taken or results based on the infor?ma?tion sup?plied here in. The con?tent of this blog gen?er?ally applies to busi?ness and indi?vid?ual tax?a?tion in the United States of Amer?ica.? Inter?nal Rev?enue Ser?vice Cir?cu?lar 230 Dis?clo?sure:? As pro?vided for in Trea?sury reg?u?la?tions, advice (if any) relat?ing to fed?eral taxes that is con?tained in this com?mu?ni?ca?tion (includ?ing attach?ments) is not intended or writ?ten to be used, and can?not be used for the pur?pose of (1) avoid?ing penal?ties under the Inter?nal Rev?enue Code or (2) pro?mot?ing, mar?ket?ing or rec?om?mend?ing to another party any plan or arrange?ment address herein.? Art & Busi?ness Con?sult?ing LLC cur?rently does not have a cer?ti?fied pub?lic accoun?tant, human resource spe?cial?ist, cer?ti?fied finan?cial plan?ner or an attor?ney on staff; this infor?ma?tion is purely for edu?ca?tional pur?poses and not to be con?strued as legal or finan?cial advice. Art & Busi?ness Con?sult?ing LLC and its employ?ees, mem?bers and asso?ciates are not engage to prac?tice law; you always should dis?cuss legal mat?ters with your attor?ney before talk?ing to anyone?else.

Tags: EA, enrolled agent, individual taxes, PTIN, RTRP, tax implications, Tax preparation competency, Tax Return Preparation

Source: http://artandbusinessconsulting.com/blog/how-much-does-your-tax-preparer-really-know/

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