Following is an edited version of this message:

The Michigan Department of Treasury has a new web-based service for tax practitioners. This service allows practitioners to ask general and account specific questions for both their individual and business customers.

The Practitioner Hotline was established for use by professional preparers to contact Treasury on behalf of their clients. The hotline has been converted from a voice mail system to an online service that ensures immediate acknowledgment of the practitioner's inquiry. Practitioners receive priority service from the Problem Resolution Office, which staffs the Practitioner Services.

Tax practitioners can access Practitioner Services at Treasury's Web site, www.michigan.gov/treasury and select Practitioner Services under Featured Online Services. Then log in by entering the Treasury-assigned user code and password. Additional information may be requested depending on the request.

The benefits of this online system include:
- reduced cost for phone calls
- 24 x 7 access
- immediate acknowledgment of request via email
- streamlining of internal processes enabling a faster resolution
- ensures that a callback from Treasury is not missed

We are confident that the new Practitioner Services will result in even better service to our customers. Practitioners can still access the Practitioner Hotline voice mail. The voice mail service will eventually be phased out.

Reminder: Practitioner Services and the Practitioner Hotline are intended for professional tax practitioners only. Please do not give out the hotline number or your user code and password to your clients.