EAs were established by the Department of Treasury/IRS on July 7, 1887. EAs must complete a rigorous background check and a difficult 3-part exam (IRS Special Enrollment Examination) that tests your ability to prepare federal income tax returns and the ability to represent taxpayers before proceedings of Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 100% of the testing process to become an Enrolled Agent is based on tax knowledge. The IRS Special Enrollment Examination is administered by the IRS and EAs are federally licensed tax practitioners. EA’s can represent all taxpayers, regardless of their location.
EAs are America’s Tax Experts. EAs are the only federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled Agents advise, represent and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any entity with tax-reporting requirements. EAs expertise, in the continually changing field of taxation, enables them to effectively represent taxpayers at all administrative levels within the IRS.
Enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS. The EA credential is recognized across all 50 U.S. states.
An IRS Enrolled Agent passes a three-part test called the Special Enrollment Examination, which focuses on tax laws and issues. An EA doesn’t necessarily have an accounting background and may simply focus on tax preparation. Some IRS EAs will also develop a legal specialty, which comes in handy when navigating complicated tax laws.
The candidate must prove his/her competency for tax-related matter. There are two ways to become EA:
To become an EA, an applicant must obtain a PTIN and achieve passing scores on all three parts of the Special Enrollment Examination ( Individuals, Businesses and Representation, Practices and Procedures), which covers many aspects of the Internal Revenue Code.
The different parts of the exam can be taken in any order. The only requirement is that applicant must pass all three sections in order to earn the EA certification. Prometric, the company selected by IRS to administer the SEE, maintains a website where candidates can learn more about the SEE and register for the test.
Applicant must have worked at the IRS for five consecutive years in a position which regularly engaged in applying and interpreting the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations relating to income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes.
There is a $203 fee per part paid at the time of appointment scheduling. The test fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
You should consider becoming an enrolled agent for several reasons.