To maintain the designation, an EA must undergo 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years through an IRS-approved Continuing Education provider. A minimum of 16 hours of course material must be completed annually, with a minimum of 2 hours dedicated to ethics. Courses are available online and are authenticated through the IRS by providers who ensure the information being learned is up to date and relevant to the current tax models. The full process of earning a designation can take anywhere from 3 to 8 months of coursework and practice testing, depending on how much a prospective EA knows about tax law already. The EA designation can be revoked at any time by the IRS for malpractice.

This means that enrolled agents are able to represent taxpayers in any state in the country. Furthermore, enrolled agents are able to represent citizens abroad in tax matters. Overall, it is easier and faster to become an EA than a CPA. Anyone is allowed to sit for the enrolled agent exam, which is not the case for the CPA exam. In order to sit for the EA exam, all that is required is a preparer tax identification number.

To understand what differs in the role of EAs vs. CPAs, let’s first review how each is licensed. An enrolled agent is a tax practitioner who is licensed at the federal level by the Internal Revenue Service. In fact, enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS.

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Hopeful candidates must pass each section of the EA test in order to be given the designation. Test-takers who fail the exam must pay the same fee to retake the test. To maximize the value of their investment, candidates should wait to register until they are fully prepared to take the exam.

Enrolled agents focus exclusively on tax issues, including audits, appeals, and collections. They’re said to be “enrolled” because they’re specially licensed by the federal government. An enrolled agent is the only type of tax professional who has this type of relationship with the IRS. EAs must pass a three-part series of tests called the Special Enrollment Examination that covers individual and business tax laws and representation issues. The enrolled agent exam focuses mostly on tax preparation matters and very little on accounting practices. The National Association of Enrolled Agents describes agents as being able to represent any taxpayer who has an issue with the IRS.

Job Requirements

A passport that doesn’t have a date of entry won’t be accepted as a stand-alone identification document for dependents. If you need help with e-filing your taxes, H&R Block is here. VGLD has been established with the social objective of making quality video-based learning material available to all professionals. To pass the Enrolled Agent Exam, a score of 105 is the minimum required.

The members of NAEA are required to finish their ongoing education for 30 hours every year, or 90 hours every 36 months. This time duration is more in comparison to the prerequisites of the IRS position. Individuals and business organizations receive several services including tax planning, tax representation, and tax preparation from the certified EAs. This is a number issued by the IRS to a professional tax preparer, like Enrolled Agents .

Additional training or testing may be required in CA, OR, and other states. This course is not open to any persons who are currently employed by or seeking employment with any professional tax preparation company or organization other than H&R Block. The student will be required to return all course materials. Additionally, both tax professionals may represent tax clients before any type of IRS office. Lastly, EAs and CPAs are required to meet specific ethical and continuing education requirements.

• Property, such as horses and farm equipment, were commonly confiscated by the government for use during the war, and citizens needed recourse with settling these claims.
• EAs must agree to adhere to ethical standards, and they must complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years.
• In addition, they can prepare and file your business and payroll taxes.
• FATP status is also granted with limited representation rights to enrolled actuaries, and enrolled retirement plan agents.
• But if you need further tax law training, your entire EA review could last at least 4 months.

If you have a simple tax return, you can file for free with TurboTax Free Edition or TurboTax Live Assisted Basic. You can also file with TurboTax Live Full Service Basic at the listed price. The most common race/ethnicity among enrolled agents is White, which makes up 66.2% of all enrolled agents. Among enrolled agents, 55.6% of them are women, while 44.4% are men. Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Enrolled Agent templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Enrolled Agent resume is top notch.

The results are given by calculating the number of questions answered correctly from the total number of questions given. From there, that amount is converted on a scale that ranges from 40 to 130. If you fail your exam, you will still be given a score so that you are able to see where you fall. If you scored 104, you were very close to the “passing” designation.

Federal pricing will vary based upon individual taxpayer circumstances and is finalized at the time of filing. Small Business Small business tax prep File yourself or with a small business certified tax professional. Founded in 1804, Ohio University is the ninth oldest public university in the United States. Located in Athens, Ohio, the school serves more than 35,000 students on the 1,850-acre campus, and online.

What Is an Enrolled Agent?

Someone who has failed to file or pay taxes as required can be denied enrollment. An enrolled agent specializes in tax issues, including audits, appeals, and collections. The enrolled agent meaning reason they’re referred to as “enrolled” is that they have special licenses from the government. This type of relationship with the IRS is only available to enrolled agents.

They must also pass the verification of their background check and maintain their agent status through continuing education. They are authorized to counsel, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals, estates, corporations, trusts, and entities with tax-reporting requirements. Back in the era of 1880s, there were not sufficient attorney related laws, and no CPAs existed.

Do I have to take the enrolled agent exams all at once?

If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. You’ll want to seek out an EA for any and all tax-related issues. In fact, the IRS says they are uncontested experts on such topics. Advising management decisions regarding tax consequences, assessing various financial options, and recommending best practices. If you are considering making a career change or simply exploring career options in the accounting industry, one career choice you may be thinking about is becoming an Enrolled Agent . We’re on your team and are passionate about helping you achieve your career goals, even if it means we don’t make a dime.

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Make sure that you qualify to take the exam before scheduling and paying a fee. Unlike many professional jobs, you don’t need a degree in a specific field of study—or a degree at all—so you can take the EA exam at any point. The Enrolled Agent exam is taken by candidates who wish to become Enrolled Agents.

A licensed insurance agent works for an insurance company and sells insurance policies to customers new and old. Licensed insurance agents usually have a caseload of current customers that they assist. They answer any questions that customers may have about their policies and use their customer service skills to resolve problems, such as issues with coverage.

Non-exempt persons must take and pass the Special Enrollment Examination . All enrolled agents must complete 72 hours of continuing education every 36 months. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher. The National Association of Enrolled Agents reports that there are more than 50,000 enrolled agents working in the United States as well as abroad.