Free compliance guide for tax preparers

The Free Guide That Could Save Your Practice $32,500 This Year

IRC Section 6695(d) penalties can reach $65 per occurrence, up to $32,500 for returns or claims filed in 2026.

IRC Section 6695(d) requires every paid tax preparer to retain client return records for at least 3 years. This free guide explains what the rule requires, where preparers commonly fall short, and how to create a simple retention process you can start using today.

This guide is educational and should not be treated as legal advice. Always confirm your obligations with current IRS guidance, your professional tax adviser, or legal counsel.

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"I had no idea I was out of compliance until I read this. TaxFile made it simple to fix."
— Alabama tax preparer

What's in the guide?

A plain-English breakdown designed for solo tax preparers and small tax offices that want a practical retention process without buying a complicated practice-management system.

  • What IRC 6695(d) actually requires — in plain English
  • The 3, 6, and 7-year retention rules explained
  • The most common mistakes that trigger IRS penalties
  • A simple retention checklist you can use starting today
  • How to document your compliance if you're ever audited

One filing-system mistake can become an expensive problem.

The IRS does not require a specific storage tool, but your system must keep records accessible, reproducible, and protected for the required retention period.

Know the rule

Understand the minimum record-retention obligation under IRC 6695(d) and what counts as a retained record.

Avoid the mistakes

Learn why email inboxes, unsecured folders, and client-only recordkeeping create avoidable compliance risk.

Use the checklist

Walk through a simple checklist to evaluate your current system and identify gaps before tax season gets busy.

Need a simpler way to handle retention?

TaxFile gives tax preparers secure storage, client document sharing, e-signatures, and a built-in AI tax assistant. Your clients get a free portal. You get a cleaner retention workflow.