The Internal Revenue Service reopened its Preparer Tax Identification Number system Wednesday after closing it earlier this month because it lost a lawsuit over registration and renewal fees. 

On June 1, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the IRS’s authority to require the use of a PTIN by tax preparers, but told the IRS it couldn't charge a user fee for issuing and renewing PTINs.  As a result, the IRS suspended PTIN registration and renewal on June 2 (see IRS loses lawsuit over PTIN fees, suspends PTIN system, and may be forced to refund preparers).

The IRS said Wednesday it is working with the Department of Justice and considering how to proceed, but meanwhile it will make PTINs available while deciding how to address the court order. 

The IRS said it is resuming the issuance of PTINS, without charge, Wednesday. As more information becomes available, it will be posted on the IRS's Tax Pros page.

Source: https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-reopens-ptin-system 
Obtained: Jun 21, 2017