DISCLOSURE OR USE OF INFORMATION BY PREPARERS OF RETURNS.

SEC. 316. DISCLOSURE OR USE OF INFORMATION BY PREPARERS OF RETURNS. (a) Criminal Penalty—Part I of subchapter A of chapter 75 (relating to crimes) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: “SEC. 7216. DISCLOSURE OR USE OF INFORMATION BY PREPARERS OF RETURNS. “(a) General Rule—Any person who is engaged in the business of preparing, or providing services in connection with the preparation of, returns of the tax imposed by chapter 1, or declarations or amended declarations of estimated tax under section 6015, or any person who for compensation prepares any such return or declaration for any other person, and who— “(1) discloses any information furnished to him for, or in connection with, the preparation of any such return or declaration, or “(2) uses any such information for any purpose other than to prepare, or assist in preparing, any such return or declaration, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. “(b) Exceptions— “(1) Disclosure—Subsection (a) shall not apply to a dis-closure of information if such disclosure is made— “(A) pursuant to any other provision of this title, or “(B) pursuant to an order of a court. “(2) Use—Subsection (a) shall not apply to the use of information in the preparation of, or in connection with the preparation of, State and local tax returns and declarations of estimated tax of the person to whom the information relates. “(3) Regulations—Subsection (a) shall not apply to a dis-closure or use of information which is permitted by regulations prescribed by the Secretary or his delegate under this section.” (b) Clerical Amendment—The table of contents for part I of sub-chapter A of chapter 75 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item: “Sec. 7216. Disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns.” 85 Stat. 530 (c) Effective Date—The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first month which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.