The IRS is investigating the paid preparers who continued to utilize their Social Security numbers or invalid pin last tax year instead of a valid tax preparer pin. The IRS has begun mailing letters this month to 100,000 or so of these preparers.
The notices tell them that they must apply for a special preparer ID number or stop preparing returns.
Also I believe that this leaves 200,000 to 300,000 less valid tax preparers then was originally estimated by the IRS.