Enrolled Agent???

What is an Enrolled Agent?

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is enpowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals.

Are Enrolled Agents reequired to take continuing professional eductation?

In addtition to the stringent testing and application process, and rigorous background check, the IRS requires Enrolled Agents to complete 72 hours of continuing professional education every renewal period to maintain their Enrolled Agent status. Some of the professional organizations, i.e. NAEA, NATP, require 90 hours per renewal period. Because of the knowledge necesssary to become an Enrolled Agent and the requirements to maintain the license, there are only about 46,000 practicing Enrolled Agents. 

What are the differences between Enrolled Agents an other tax professionals?

Only Enrolled Agents are required to demostrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer before the IRS.  Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation. Enrolled Agents are the only taxpayer representatives who receive their right to practice fron the U.S. government. (CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states).

Are Enrolled Agents bound by any ethical standards?

Enrolled Agents are required to abide by the provisions of the Department of Treasury's Circular 230, which provides the regulations governing the practice of Enrolled Agents before the IRS. Enrolled Agents who are members of NSA, NATP and NAEA are also bound by a Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct of the Association.

As an Enrolled Agent, Vanessa can advise, represent, and prepare tax rerturns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and any entities with tax-reporting requirments. Vanessa's expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables her to effectively represent taxpayers audited by the IRS.