S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  8107

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               May 4, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. JEFFRIES, McDONOUGH, CASTRO, JAFFEE -- read once
  and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to registration of tax  prepar-
  ers

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The tax law is amended by adding a new article 23  to  read
as follows:

                               ARTICLE 23
                      REGISTRATION OF TAX PREPARERS
SECTION 700. DEFINITIONS.
        701. REGISTRATION OF TAX PREPARERS.
        702. SURETY AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
        703. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.
        704. HANDLING AND RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS.
        705.  RESPONSIBILITIES  OF  TAX PREPARERS; VIOLATIONS; CIVIL AND
               CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
        706. REGULATIONS.
  S 700. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE:
  (1) THE TERM "TAX PREPARER" SHALL MEAN (A) A PERSON WHO, FOR A FEE  OR
FOR  OTHER  CONSIDERATION,  ASSISTS  WITH  OR  PREPARES FIVE OR MORE TAX
RETURNS FOR OTHER PERSONS IN ANY ONE YEAR OR WHO ASSUMES FINAL RESPONSI-
BILITY FOR COMPLETED WORK ON SUCH RETURNS ON WHICH PRELIMINARY WORK  HAS
BEEN  DONE  BY  OTHER  PERSONS,  OR  WHO HOLDS HIMSELF OR HERSELF OUT AS
OFFERING THOSE SERVICES. A PERSON ENGAGED  IN  THAT  ACTIVITY  SHALL  BE
DEEMED  TO  BE A SEPARATE PERSON FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, IRRE-
SPECTIVE OF AFFILIATION WITH, OR EMPLOYMENT BY,  ANOTHER  TAX  PREPARER;
AND
  (B)  A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, OR OTHER ENTITY THAT HAS
ASSOCIATED WITH IT PERSONS NOT EXEMPTED UNDER SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF  THIS

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03901-01-9
              

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SECTION,  WHICH PERSONS SHALL HAVE AS PART OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES THE
PREPARATION OF DATA AND ULTIMATE SIGNATORY AUTHORITY ON TAX RETURNS, AND
WHO ASSIST WITH OR PREPARE FIVE OR MORE TAX RETURNS FOR A FEE  OR  OTHER
CONSIDERATION  IN  ANY  ONE  YEAR,  OR THAT HOLDS ITSELF OUT AS OFFERING
THOSE SERVICES OR HAVING THAT AUTHORITY.
  (2) NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE TERM "TAX  PREPARER"  DOES  NOT
INCLUDE:
  (A)  ANY  PERSON  LICENSED  OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANCY, OR OTHERWISE SUBJECT  TO  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  ARTICLE  ONE
HUNDRED  FORTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, AND HIS OR HER EMPLOYEES WHILE
FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
  (B) ANY PERSON ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THIS STATE WHERE THE PERSON
RENDERS SERVICE WITHIN THE COURSE AND SCOPE OF HIS OR HER PRACTICE AS AN
ATTORNEY AT LAW, AND HIS OR HER EMPLOYEES WHILE FUNCTIONING  WITHIN  THE
SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
  (C)  ANY  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTION  REGULATED  BY  THE  STATE OR FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, AND EMPLOYEES THEREOF, INSOFAR  AS  THE  ACTIVITIES  OF  THE
EMPLOYEES  ARE  RELATED  TO  THEIR  EMPLOYMENT AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WITH RESPECT TO TAX  PREPARATION  ARE  SUBJECT  TO
FEDERAL OR STATE EXAMINATION OR OVERSIGHT.
  (D)  ANY  OTHER PERSON, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER
ENTITY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING LAW AND SUBJECT TO EXAM-
INATION, OVERSIGHT OR SUPERVISION BY THE  BANKING  DEPARTMENT,  AND  THE
EMPLOYEES  THEREOF  WHILE  FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOY-
MENT.
  (E) A PERSON WHO IS ENROLLED TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE  INTERNAL  REVENUE
SERVICE  PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW AND REGULATIONS, AND HIS OR HER EMPLOY-
EES WHILE FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
  (F) WHILE ACTING AS SUCH, ANY FIDUCIARY,  OR  THE  EMPLOYEES  THEREOF,
ACTING  ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  FIDUCIARY ESTATE, THE TESTATOR, GRANTOR, OR
BENEFICIARIES THEREOF.
  (G) A PERSON WHO, AS PART OF THE REGULAR DUTIES OF HIS OR HER  EMPLOY-
MENT, PREPARES HIS OR HER EMPLOYER'S INCOME, SALES, PAYROLL OR OTHER TAX
RETURNS.
  (H) A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT ASSISTS WITH OR PREPARES TAX RETURNS WITH-
OUT  REQUIRING  THE  PAYMENT  OF  FEES  OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FROM THE
TAXPAYERS ON WHOSE BEHALF THE RETURNS ARE PREPARED.
  (3) THE TERM "TAX RETURN" SHALL MEAN A RETURN, DECLARATION, STATEMENT,
REFUND, CLAIM, OR OTHER  DOCUMENT  REQUIRED  TO  BE  MADE  OR  FILED  IN
CONNECTION  WITH  STATE OR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES OR STATE BANK AND CORPO-
RATION FRANCHISE TAXES.
  (4) THE TERM "CLIENT" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL FOR WHOM A TAX PREPARER
PERFORMS OR AGREES TO PERFORM TAX PREPARATION SERVICES.
  S 701. REGISTRATION OF TAX PREPARERS. (1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
IN THIS ARTICLE OR AS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY LAW, NO PERSON SHALL, FOR A
FEE OR FOR OTHER CONSIDERATION, ASSIST WITH OR PREPARE FIVE OR MORE  TAX
RETURNS  FOR  OTHER  PERSONS,  ASSUME FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLETED
WORK ON A RETURN ON WHICH PRELIMINARY WORK  HAS  BEEN  DONE  BY  ANOTHER
PERSON, IN ANY ONE YEAR, OR HOLD HIMSELF OR HERSELF OUT AS OFFERING SUCH
SERVICES FOR A FEE OR OTHER COMPENSATION, UNLESS SUCH PERSON
  (A)  HAS  APPLIED  FOR AND RECEIVED A REGISTRATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT
PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE; OR
  (B) EMPLOYS ONE OR  MORE  REGISTERED  TAX  PREPARERS  WHO  ARE  SOLELY
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES.
  (2)  TO QUALIFY FOR REGISTRATION AS A TAX PREPARER, AN APPLICANT SHALL
FULFILL THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

A. 8107                             3

  (A) APPLICATION: HAVE FILED AN APPLICATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT;
  (B)  EDUCATION: HAVE SATISFIED THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN
SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION;
  (C) AGE: BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE;
  (D) CHARACTER: BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT;
  (E) CODE OF ETHICS: AGREE IN WRITING TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS
ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED SIX OF  THIS
ARTICLE; AND
  (F)  FEE:  PAY  A  FEE  OF  SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR
APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE BY  REGU-
LATION  THE  AMOUNT  OF  SUCH  FEE,  IF  ANY, THAT IS REFUNDABLE AND THE
CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A REFUND WILL BE  MADE.  IF  THE  COMMISSIONER
DETERMINES  THAT A DIFFERENT FEE IS NEEDED TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF ADMIN-
ISTERING THIS ARTICLE, HE OR SHE MAY PROVIDE FOR A DIFFERENT FEE  AMOUNT
BY  REGULATION;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY REGULATIONS THAT CHANGE THE
AMOUNT OF THE FEE SHALL APPLY ONLY ON A PROSPECTIVE BASIS.
  (3) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS  FOR
REGISTRATION   BY   REGULATION.   SUCH  REGULATIONS  SHALL  REQUIRE  THE
COMPLETION OF A MINIMUM OF SIXTY HOURS OF INSTRUCTION IN BASIC  PERSONAL
INCOME TAX LAW, THEORY AND PRACTICE, AND ETHICS, OFFERED BY A CURRICULUM
PROVIDER  APPROVED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT.  OF  THE  REQUIRED SIXTY HOURS,
FORTY-FIVE HOURS SHALL BE CONCERNED  WITH  FEDERAL  TAX  CURRICULUM  AND
FIFTEEN  HOURS SHALL BE CONCERNED WITH STATE TAX CURRICULUM. THE DEPART-
MENT MAY WAIVE SUCH EDUCATIONAL  REQUIREMENTS  WHERE  AN  APPLICANT  HAS
ESTABLISHED HIS OR HER TECHNICAL COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE BY OBTAINING A
CREDENTIAL FROM A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALING BODY IN ACCOUNTAN-
CY OR TAXATION AND SATISFACTORY TO THE DEPARTMENT.
  (4)  AN  INITIAL  REGISTRATION  AND  EACH RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION
SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. AN  APPLICANT  FOR  RENEWAL  OF
REGISTRATION  SHALL  MEET  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTINUING  EDUCATION  REQUIREMENTS
FOR  RENEWAL SHALL BE THE COMPLETION ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OF NOT LESS THAN
TWENTY HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, INCLUDING TWELVE HOURS IN  FEDERAL
TAXATION,  FOUR  HOURS IN NEW YORK TAXATION AND AN ADDITIONAL FOUR HOURS
IN EITHER FEDERAL,  NEW  YORK  OR  LOCAL  GOVERNMENT  TAXATION  FROM  AN
APPROVED  CURRICULUM  PROVIDER. IN LIEU OF MEETING THE CONTINUING EDUCA-
TION REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL, THE DEPARTMENT MAY ACCEPT  EVIDENCE  THAT
THE TAX PREPARER HAS OBTAINED OR MAINTAINED THE VALIDITY OF A CREDENTIAL
AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.
  (5) A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER ENTITY AS DEFINED
IN  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED OF THIS
ARTICLE SHALL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS PROVIDED IN  THE
REGULATIONS  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT.    SUCH REGULATIONS SHALL AT A MINIMUM
REQUIRE THE APPLICATION TO CONTAIN SUCH INFORMATION  AS  THE  DEPARTMENT
DEEMS  NECESSARY  TO  IDENTIFY  THE ENTITY AND ITS PRINCIPALS, AND TO BE
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DOCUMENT SUBSCRIBED BY  THE  PRINCIPALS  AGREEING  TO
COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS, PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (E) OF SUBDIVISION
TWO  OF  THIS SECTION, AND THE FEE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (F)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
  S 702. SURETY AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS. (1) EVERY  TAX  PREPARER  SHALL
MAINTAIN  IN  FULL  FORCE  AND  EFFECT A BOND, CONTRACT OF INDEMNITY, OR
IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT, PAYABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF  NEW
YORK.  THE  PRINCIPAL SUM OF THE BOND SHALL BE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR
EACH INDIVIDUAL PREPARING TAX  RETURNS  FOR  ANOTHER  PERSON;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  THAT THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE THE MAINTENANCE OF SURETY IN

A. 8107                             4

A HIGHER AMOUNT PURSUANT TO REGULATION, AND PROVIDED  FURTHER,  HOWEVER,
THAT  IN  NO  EVENT  SHALL  THE  TOTAL  BOND REQUIRED FOR ANY SINGLE TAX
PREPARER AND THE  TAX  PREPARERS  EMPLOYED  OR  ASSOCIATED  WITH  IT  BE
REQUIRED TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.  SUCH SURE-
TY  SHALL  BE  FOR  THE  BENEFIT OF ANY PERSON OR PERSONS DAMAGED BY ANY
FRAUD,  DISHONESTY,  MISSTATEMENT,  MISREPRESENTATION,  DECEIT,  OR  ANY
UNLAWFUL  ACTS  OR  OMISSIONS  BY THE TAX PREPARER, OR THE TAX PREPARERS
EMPLOYED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH IT TO PROVIDE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES.
  (2) PRIOR TO RENDERING ANY TAX PREPARATION SERVICES,  A  TAX  PREPARER
SHALL  PROVIDE  THE  CLIENT  IN  WRITING  WITH  THE TAX PREPARER'S NAME,
ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER,  THE  REGISTRATION  NUMBER  ASSIGNED  BY  THE
DEPARTMENT,  AND  EVIDENCE  OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE SURETY REQUIREMENT OF
THIS SECTION, AND SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN MATERIALS IN A FORM APPROVED  BY
THE  DEPARTMENT  INDICATING HOW TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUES-
TIONS OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TAX PREPARER.
  S 703. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. (1) NO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
OBTAINED BY A  TAX  PREPARER,  IN  HIS  OR  HER  PROFESSIONAL  CAPACITY,
CONCERNING  A  CLIENT  OR A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT SHALL BE DISCLOSED BY THE
TAX PREPARER WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE CLIENT OR PROSPECTIVE
CLIENT, EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING:
  (A) DISCLOSURES MADE BY A TAX PREPARER IN COMPLIANCE WITH  A  SUBPOENA
OR A SUMMONS ENFORCEABLE BY ORDER OF A COURT.
  (B)  DISCLOSURES MADE BY A TAX PREPARER REGARDING A CLIENT OR PROSPEC-
TIVE CLIENT TO THE EXTENT THE TAX PREPARER  REASONABLY  BELIEVES  IT  IS
NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OR DEFEND HIMSELF OR HERSELF IN A LEGAL PROCEEDING
INITIATED BY THE CLIENT OR PROSPECTIVE CLIENT.
  (C)  DISCLOSURES  MADE  BY  A  TAX PREPARER IN RESPONSE TO AN OFFICIAL
INQUIRY FROM A FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
  (D) DISCLOSURES MADE BY A TAX PREPARER OR TO  A  TAX  PREPARER'S  DULY
AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  TO ANOTHER TAX PREPARER IN CONNECTION WITH A
PROPOSED SALE OR MERGER OF THE TAX PREPARER'S PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.
  (E) DISCLOSURES MADE BY A TAX PREPARER TO ANOTHER TAX PREPARER TO  THE
EXTENT NECESSARY FOR PURPOSES OF PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION.
  (F) DISCLOSURES MADE TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL STAND-
ARDS REVIEW AND ETHICS OR QUALITY CONTROL PEER REVIEW.
  (G) DISCLOSURES MADE WHEN SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED BY LAW.
  (2) PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (D) OR (E) OF
SUBDIVISION  ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE TAX PREPARER SHALL REQUIRE THE TAX
PREPARER OR HIS OR HER REPRESENTATIVE WHO WOULD RECEIVE THE  INFORMATION
TO EXECUTE A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT STATING THAT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUCH
INFORMATION  WILL BE MAINTAINED. A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE MAIN-
TAINED BY THE TAX PREPARER MAKING THE DISCLOSURE FOR THE  PERIOD  SPECI-
FIED  IN  SECTION  SEVEN  HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE. ANY VIOLATION OF
SUCH WRITTEN AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (3) IN THE EVENT THAT CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED
TO  PERSONS  OR  ENTITIES  OUTSIDE  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA  IN
CONNECTION WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED, THE TAX PREPARER SHALL INFORM THE
CLIENT  IN  WRITING  AND  OBTAIN THE CLIENT'S WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR THE
DISCLOSURE.
  (4) ANY REQUEST SEEKING A CLIENT'S WRITTEN PERMISSION  FOR  DISCLOSURE
OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SHALL BE ON A SEPARATE AND DISCRETE DOCUMENT
OF  NOT  LESS  THAN  TWELVE-POINT  TYPE  AND SHALL CLEARLY IDENTIFY EACH
AUTHORIZED RECIPIENT OF THE INFORMATION AND HOW SUCH RECIPIENT  WILL  BE
PERMITTED  TO  USE  THE  INFORMATION. THE COMMISSIONER MAY SPECIFY ADDI-
TIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH REQUESTS BY REGULATION.

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  S 704. HANDLING AND RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS. (1)  TAX  PREPARERS  SHALL
HANDLE  DOCUMENTS CONTAINING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE AND IN COMPLIANCE  WITH  ANY
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OR OTHER LAWS.
  (2)  NO TAX PREPARER SHALL FAIL OR REFUSE TO GIVE A CLIENT, FOR HIS OR
HER OWN RECORDS, A COPY OF ANY DOCUMENT REQUIRING  THE  CLIENT'S  SIGNA-
TURE,  WITHIN  A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THE CLIENT SIGNS THE DOCUMENT. NO
TAX PREPARER SHALL FAIL TO RETURN, UPON THE DEMAND BY OR ON BEHALF OF  A
CLIENT,  RECORDS  OR  OTHER  DATA  PROVIDED  TO  THE TAX PREPARER BY THE
CLIENT.
  (3) COPIES OF ALL TAX RETURNS AND OTHER RECORDS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTI-
CLE SHALL BE MAINTAINED FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OF  THE
DATE OF COMPLETION.
  S 705. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TAX PREPARERS; VIOLATIONS; CIVIL AND CRIMI-
NAL PENALTIES. (1) EVERY TAX PREPARER SHALL HAVE THE AFFIRMATIVE RESPON-
SIBILITY  TO  ACT  IN  THE  BEST  INTERESTS OF HIS OR HER CLIENTS AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT  PURSU-
ANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED SIX OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (2)  IT  SHALL BE A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE FOR A TAX PREPARER TO DO
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
  (A) FAIL TO REGISTER AS A TAX PREPARER WITH THE DEPARTMENT;
  (B) MAKE, OR AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF, ANY STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION,
ORAL OR WRITTEN OR RECORDED BY ANY MEANS, WHICH IS  INTENDED  TO  INDUCE
PERSONS  TO  USE  THE TAX PREPARATION SERVICE OF THE TAX PREPARER, WHICH
STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION IS FRAUDULENT, UNTRUE, OR MISLEADING;
  (C) OBTAIN THE SIGNATURE OF A CLIENT ON A TAX  RETURN  OR  AUTHORIZING
DOCUMENT  WHICH  CONTAINS BLANK SPACES TO BE FILLED IN AFTER IT HAS BEEN
SIGNED;
  (D) FAIL TO SIGN A CUSTOMER'S TAX RETURN  WHEN  PAYMENT  FOR  SERVICES
RENDERED HAS BEEN MADE;
  (E)  KNOWINGLY GIVE FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT,
THE CLIENT, OR THE SURETY COMPANY;
  (F) WHEN PREPARING A NEW YORK INCOME TAX  RETURN,  FAIL  TO  ADVISE  A
CLIENT  OF  ALL  VOLUNTARY  CONTRIBUTION  CHECK-OFFS  ON  THE RETURN AND
PROVIDE THE CLIENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE  A  CONTRIBUTION  TO  ANY
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION CHECK-OFF ON THE RETURN;
  (G)  VIOLATE ANY PROVISION OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED ONE, SEVEN HUNDRED
TWO, SEVEN HUNDRED THREE OR SEVEN HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE.
  (3) THE COMMISSIONER MAY REVOKE OR SUSPEND  THE  REGISTRATION  OF  ANY
PERSON  WHO  IS  DETERMINED  TO  HAVE  FAILED  TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANY REGULATION ADOPTED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
ARTICLE,  OR  TO  HAVE  KNOWINGLY  AIDED  AND  ABETTED ANOTHER PERSON IN
VIOLATING ANY OF THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  OR  ANY  REGULATION
ADOPTED  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE. IN LIEU OF SUCH REVOCATION OR SUSPEN-
SION, THE COMMISSIONER MAY ASSESS A CIVIL PENALTY  NOT  TO  EXCEED  FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ANY SUCH VIOLATION.
  (4)  ANY VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE A CLASS A
MISDEMEANOR, AND UPON CONVICTION THE COURT MAY  ORDER  AS  PART  OF  THE
SENTENCE  IMPOSED  RESTITUTION  OR REPARATION TO THE VICTIM OF THE CRIME
PURSUANT TO SECTION 60.27 OF THE PENAL LAW.
  S 706. REGULATIONS. THE COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE REGU-
LATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS  ARTICLE.  SUCH  REGULATIONS
SHALL  INCLUDE  THE  ADOPTION OF A CODE OF ETHICS FOR TAX PREPARERS, AND
SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS ARE REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE OR ARE DEEMED  NECES-
SARY BY THE COMMISSIONER.

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  S  2.  Nothing  in  this act shall be construed to impair or limit the
validity of any additional local laws or regulations,  not  inconsistent
with the provisions of this act, applicable to tax preparers.
  S  3.  If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this act
be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be  invalid,  such
judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder hereof but
shall  be  applied  in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,
section or part hereof directly involved in  the  controversy  in  which
such judgment shall have been rendered.
  S  4.  This  act shall take effect on the first of October in the year
next succeeding the year in which it shall have become a law;  provided,
however,  that  the  commissioner of taxation and finance shall be imme-
diately authorized and directed to promulgate any rules and  regulations
and  take  any other actions necessary for implementation of this act on
such effective date.