What is an Enrolled Agent?

What is an enrolled agent?

Enrolled agents (EAs) are America’s tax experts. They are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who both spe­cialize in taxation and have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. These tax specialists have earned the privilege of representing taxpay­ers before the IRS by either passing a stringent and com­prehensive three-part examination covering individual tax returns, business tax returns and representation, practice and procedure, or through experience as a former IRS em­ployee. All candidates are subjected to a suitability check conducted by the IRS.

What are the differences between enrolled agents and other tax professionals?

The enrolled agent is the most expansive license IRS grants a tax professional. Enrolled agents are generally un­restricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and the IRS offices before which they practice.

Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxa­tion. While CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states, enrolled agents and registered tax return preparers are fed­erally licensed. Registered tax return preparers must pass a basic, one-part exam and complete a minimal 15 hours of continuing education per year. They do not have the unlimited representation rights held by enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys.

What is Representation?

Taxpayers who find themselves in tax trouble are allowed to represent themselves before the various administrative levels of the IRS. However, most taxpayers facing IRS col­lection action, an IRS audit of any sort (whether IRS asks for mounds of documents by mail or requests an in-per­son examination), or an appeal of any collection or exami­nation action would be wise to send in an expert in his or her place. Taxpayers who are represented have a guide through the process, and someone authorized to speak on his or her behalf (and in his or her place) and ensure the matter is settled fairly. Enrolled agents are authorized by IRS to represent taxpayers before IRS; every enrolled agent has passed testing on representation.

The enrolled agent license is the highest credential the IRS issues.

The advantage of working with an enrolled agent lies not only in the depth of experience and understanding of how to prepare a tax return, but the knowledge of tax law that may be used to represent taxpayers before the IRS. If you get a letter from the IRS, or worse, are audited or are the target of a collection action, your EA can speak directly to the IRS on your behalf.

Why should I choose an enrolled agent who is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents?

IRS recommends using a tax preparer that is a member of a professional organization that offers continuing educa­tion and other resources, and holds members to a code of ethics. NAEA goes beyond IRS’ recommendations by re­quiring members to fulfill continuing education require­ments that exceed the IRS’ required minimum. In addi­tion, NAEA members must adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct. Members of NAEA belong to a strong network of experienced, well-trained tax professionals who effectively represent their clients and work to make the tax code fair and reasonably enforced.

How can an enrolled agent help me?

Enrolled agents advise, represent and prepare the tax re­turns of individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any other entity with tax reporting require­ments. EAs prepare millions of tax returns each year and their expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables them to effectively represent taxpayers audited by the IRS. In addition to tax preparation and tax representa­tion, many enrolled agents offer other business-related ser­vices which may include:

• Bookkeeping

• Financial planning or budgeting

• Payroll services

• Financial statement preparation

• Mortgage assistance

Because enrolled agents have such diverse backgrounds and may offer a variety of services, it is important to talk with your enrolled agent about how his/her expertise may assist you.

Are enrolled agents required to take continuing professional education?

In addition to the stringent testing and application pro­cess, the IRS requires enrolled agents to complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years to main­tain their licenses. The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) raises the bar even further in that its members are required to complete at least 90 hours in a three year period.

  Are there really that many tax changes each year that might affect me?

Yes. Every year there are numerous changes to the tax laws and tax code. The National Taxpayer Advocate has identified the complexity of the tax code as the most seri­ous problem facing taxpayers and the IRS alike. A recent review of the tax code turned up that it includes 3.8 mil­lion words and that there had been approximately 4,428 changes to the code over the preceding ten years, an aver­age of more than one a day, including an estimated 579 changes in 2010 alone. Frequently, provisions are added and others expire. Some provisions are indexed for infla­tion, so they change as well. Some are effective at the be­ginning of the year, while others become effective on the date a particular bill or law is signed. Congress is continu­ally changing the tax laws. EAs take continuing education courses each year to keep up with the changes and have research tools at their disposal to constantly monitor up­dates. Most taxpayers do not have the time, desire or the research tools necessary to keep up with the tax code each year. When you choose an enrolled agent, you know your preparer keeps up with the rules and regulations and will use this expertise to do the best job possible for you.

What are the key points to remember when hiring a tax professional?

Your tax needs are best served by an enrolled agent. How­ever, no matter who you hire there are certain things to keep in mind.

• Always use a qualified professional to prepare your return.

• The preparer should always sign the return and include their Professional Tax Identification Number (PTIN).

• Beware of preparers who encourage you to lie or otherwise modify your information in order to get a bigger refund.

• The taxpayer is responsible for what’s on a tax return. Reputable preparers will ask to see receipts and will ask multiple questions to determine whether ex­penses, deductions and other items qualify. By doing so, they are trying to help their clients avoid penalties, interest or additional taxes that could result from an IRS examination.

Enrolled agents (EAs) are America’s tax experts.

They are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled agents are re­quired to complete many hours of continuing education each year to ensure they are up-to-date on the constant­ly changing tax code and must abide by a code of ethics. When you need up-to-date tax assistance, see an enrolled agent.

If you need assistance with any taxation issues, you should seek the help of a tax professional. As professional tax preparer and member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) and National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), Felix Dosseh Agbessi, Enrolled Agent, can assist you with a review of your tax history and answer questions on how taxation issues may impact your future. Please contact Felix at My Accounting Partner at (856) 677-8052 or send your request by e-mail to felix@MyAccountingPartner.com