Reference: IRS Launches Searchable Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers

From the Internal Revenue Service:

The Internal Revenue Service [recently] announced the launch of a new, online public directory of tax return preparers. This searchable directory on IRS.gov will help taxpayers find a tax professional with credentials and select qualifications to help them prepare their tax returns.
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The directory is a searchable, sortable listing featuring: the name, city, state and zip code of attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and those who have completed the requirements for the voluntary IRS Annual Filing Season Program. All preparers listed also have valid 2015 Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN).
Taxpayers may search the directory using the preferred credentials or qualifications they seek in a preparer, or by a preparer’s location, including professionals who practice abroad. Tax return preparers with PTINs who are not attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents or Annual Filing Season Program participants are not included in the directory, nor are volunteer tax return preparers who offer free services.
The directory can also be a resource for taxpayers who may want to get help from tax professionals on the Affordable Care Act tax provisions that affect returns filed this year.

Direct to Searchable IRS Directory
Read the Complete Announcement
See Also: National Directory of Registered Tax Return Preparers & Tax Professionals
Provides additional data and more robust searching. No info about how often the database is updated.
As with any reference resource, caveat emptor.

Filed under: Data Files, Resources