A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

In response to the GAO report of retail tax preparer incompetence, Iowa's Senior Senator had this to say:

"Any Joe can hang a shingle and prepare income tax returns. There are no requirements at all," Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said. "It's incredible that we have legal requirements for a barber to cut your hair, but there are no requirements for someone to prepare your taxes. Americans have a right to expect that when they hire a tax preparer they're going to get honest, straightforward advice."

Although not asked to respond, obscure tax blogger Joe Kristan had this to say:

Any Chuck who has spent the last 20 years on the Senate's taxwriting committee has a lot of nerve ripping on Joe Preparer.  As head Senate taxwriter, he should be wondering how the tax system got to the point that it routinely baffles people who make a living working with it.  I'd like to see him try to prepare the returns the GAO used on those retail preparers.

Back to you, Chuck.

Cross-posted at the Tax Update Blog.