I took my PTIN test today. For those that don't know, a PTIN is a Preparer's Tax Identification Number.
I am 60 years old, and until today, it has been 35 years since I took a test. ( The last one was when I took my Enrolled Agent exam.) I am sure this was the first time I have ever had to take a test on a computer. So let me describe my adventure to you. After preparing tax returns for the last 36 years, one would hope that I knew what I was doing without the test. Anyway, I digress.
First, I can’t tell you anything about what is on the test. They made me pinkie-swear that I wouldn’t tell anyone including my therapist about the contents of the test.
I had to sign up and pay for the test a couple of weeks ahead of time. Then I had to travel about 70 miles to the closest place (Asheville NC) to take the test. The folks there were nice enough, but boy, were they thorough.
I had to prove who I was. I didn’t mind showing a picture I.D., but the DNA test was a bit much (just kidding). And I thought they were going to do a strip search. Not really; but I did have to empty my pockets (no wallet, no watch, no paper, no keys, no pens, no nothing). And I even got wand-ed with a metal detector (really). And I was VIDEO TAPED while I took the test.
Once I got to the computer terminal, I did spend some time going through the tutorial so that I knew how to operate inside their test software (this tutorial is available on-line if you have a PTIN). For the test, I took all the time that the computer gave me. I finished early, but I kept reviewing as many of my answers as I could until the time ran out. ( I dislike making bad grades even more than I dislike taking tests – and I didn’t want to have to take this one again – especially since I had to pay to take it).
When I got done, I retrieved all the stuff that I had dumped out of my pockets, and then found out that I would get my grade within 60 days. Seriously? 60 days? This is a computerized test. Surely it already knows how many I missed.
Then I drove the 70 miles back to my office. Total time spent getting there, taking the test and getting home was a little over 6 hours.
And don’t worry, when I get my score, I WILL POST IT HERE. No matter how good or bad it is, I am going to let you know how I did.
Until then……. Many Happy Returns.Keep following us at http://www.drakesoftware.com/ or follow this blog. And I urge our clients to follow my blog so that we can keep them up to date on E-filing issues as they occur.
