What is an Enrolled Agent?
The Enrolled Agent title is the only professional credential issued in taxation at the federal level. Maintaining the Enrolled Agent designation requires 72 hours of continuing professional education every three years. This education is narrowly confined to subjects related to taxation to maximize an Enrolled Agent’s tax proficiency. The Education is closely monitored by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Enrolled Agents are actually specialists in the field of taxation, able to prepare returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, estates, and other taxable entities. Enrolled Agents are also authorized to appear before the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of taxpayers. Only Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys have this license.
An enrolled agent (ea) is an individual designation provided by the internal revenue service. The designation is acquired by passing a two-day 16-hour exam covering all aspects of federal taxation. Unlike CPAs, who may or may not provide tax services, enrolled agents specialize in taxation. Enrolled agents, attorneys, and certified public accountants are the only groups recognized to practice before the IRS. Out of the above group, enrolled agents are the only individuals required to take a test to achieve such status. The enrolled agent designation is a recognized symbol of expertise in the area of taxation.
An enrolled agent is an individual who is licensed by the IRS to assist individual taxpayers and business with all different types of tax problems. To become an enrolled agent, an individual must have been employed by the IRS for a certain number of years, or pass a comprehensive 2-day examination administered by the IRS and devoted entirely to income taxes.
Enrolled Agents are the only tax professionals authorized to represent clients by the Federal Government (Internal Revenue Service). Enrolled Agents (E.A.), Attorneys at Law and Certified Public Accountants (CPA’s), are generally unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can practice before. Unlike CPA’s or Attorneys, Enrolled Agents always specialize in taxation. Because Enrolled Agents are come under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, not the States, they can practice anywhere in the United States. Why would this be important? Because if an Enrolled Agent loses their license, there is no where to go. It’s over. If an Attorney or CPA loses their license to practice in this State, they can always go to Nevada, Texas, Florida, or Washington. Those particular States seem to be the preferred States of the disbarred. In contrast, practice before the IRS is much more limited for other individuals suc
Related Questions
- I am currently enrolled in a mortgage agent course, but it won’t be complete until after June 30, 2009. Will I lose my mortgage agent licence?
- I am an Enrolled Agent. Do all programs qualify for continuing education for Enrolled Agents, and how does that credit get reported?
- What does the term Enrolled Agent mean?
