The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) At-a-Glance
NEW VISION:
"To be the standard-bearer for integrity in tax practice"
NEW MISSION:
“Interpret and apply the standards of practice for tax professionals in a fair and equitable manner”
Headquarters:
Internal Revenue Service
Office of Professional Responsibility
SE:OPR, Room 7238/IR
1111 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20224
Management Team:
Karen L. Hawkins - Director
Lee Martin - Deputy Director
Stuart Murray - Special Counsel to the Director
Jack Manhire - Chief, Legal Analysis Branch
Robert Johnson - Chief, Operations & Management Branch
John Brueggeman - Program Manager, Technology
Sandy Roberts - Program Manager, Measures
Objectives:
OPR’s vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives support effective tax administration by ensuring all tax practitioners, tax preparers, and other third parties in the tax system adhere to professional standards and follow the law.
OPR’s goals include the following: (1) Increase awareness and understanding of Circular 230 and OPR through outreach activities, (2) Apply the principles of due process to the investigation, analysis, enforcement and litigation of Circular 230 cases and (3) Build, train and motivate a cohesive OPR team.
OPR’s new organizational structure includes 3 major segments: Office of the Director, Legal Analysis Branch, and Operations Management Branch.
OPR is committed to:
- Independent, fair and equitable treatment of all tax practitioners consistent with our Title 31 authority and principles of due process.
- Rendering fair and independent determinations regarding alleged misconduct in violation of Circular 230, Regulations Governing Practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
- Educating/maintaining tax professionals’ knowledge of relevant Circular 230 provisions.
- Providing guidance and feedback to field/agency sources regarding essential referral criteria for each relevant Circular 230 provision.
- Strengthening partnerships with other parts of the IRS and with external practitioner organizations.
- Developing procedures that ensure timely case resolution.
- Developing policies and regulations that ensure fair and equitable disposition of Circular 230 cases.
- Developing and implementing proactive strategies for identifying violations of Circular 230
OPR Administrative Disciplinary Decisions:
For details see OPR Administrative Disciplinary Decisions, known as FADs.
All other OPR Disciplinary Decisions are posted in the Internal Revenue Bulletin at Announcements of Disciplianry Sanctions.
Standards of Practice for Tax Professionals
