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

Only enrolled agents demonstrate their competence in matters of taxation and report their hours of continuing professional education to IRS. Enrolled agents are the only taxpayer representatives who receive their right to practice directly from the U.S. government (certified public accountants and attorneys are licensed by states and their licenses are state specific). Unlike attorneys and certified public accountants, who may or may not choose to focus on taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation.

The principal concern of NAEA and its members is honest, intelligent and ethical representation of the financial position of taxpayers before government agencies. Members of NAEA must fulfill continuing professional education requirements that exceed IRS' standards. In addition, NAEA members adhere to a stringent code of ethics and rules of professional conduct as well as the Treasury Department's Circular 230 regulations. NAEA members belong to a strong network of experienced, well-trained tax professionals who effectively represent their clients and work on behalf of taxpayers to see that the tax code is fairly applied and reasonably enforced.

HOW CAN AN ENROLLED AGENT HELP ME?

Enrolled agents advise, represent and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any other entity with tax-reporting requirements. Enrolled agents prepare millions of tax returns each year. Enrolled agents' expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables them to effectively represent taxpayers audited by IRS.

Some enrolled agents work only during tax season or by appointment only, while other enrolled agents have year- round practices. In addition to tax preparation and tax representation, many enrolled agents offer other business- related services which may include

• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Financial planning or budgeting
• Payroll services
• Financial statement preparation

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.

WHAT DOES THE TERM "ENROLLED AGENT" MEAN?

"Enrolled" means to be licensed to practice by the federal government and "agent" means authorized to appear in place of the taxpayer before IRS. Only enrolled agents, attorneys and certified public accountants may represent taxpayers before IRS. The enrolled agent profession dates back to 1884 when, after questionable claims were presented for Civil War losses, Congress acted to regulate persons who represented citizens in their dealings with the U. S. Department of the Treasury.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME AN ENROLLED AGENT?

The license is earned in one of two ways: either by passing a stringent and comprehensive examination that covers all aspects of the tax code or by having worked at IRS for at least five years in a position that regularly interpreted and applied the tax code and its regulations. All candidates are subjected to a rigorous background check conducted by IRS. The license is national, not state specific, allowing enrolled agents to assist taxpayers located throughout the country.

PRIVILEGE AND THE ENROLLED AGENT

The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 provides a limited client privilege for federally authorized practitioners (those bound by the Treasury Department's Circular 230 regulations). This privilege allows confidentiality between the taxpayer and the enrolled agent when the taxpayer is being represented in cases involving audits and collection matters. It is not applicable to the preparation and filing of a tax return. This privilege does not apply to state tax matters although a number of states have an accountant- client privilege. Ask your enrolled agent how privilege may affect you.

ARE ENROLLED AGENTS REQUIRED TO TAKE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION?

In addition to the stringent testing and application process, IRS requires enrolled agents to complete 72 hours of continuing professional education every three years to maintain their licenses. NAEA members are obligated to complete 90 hours in each three year period. Due to the expertise necessary to become an enrolled agent and the requirements to maintain the license, there are only about 40,000 practicing enrolled agents.

ARE ENROLLED AGENTS BOUND BY ETHICAL STANDARDS?

Yes. Enrolled agents are required to abide by the provisions of the Treasury Department's Circular 230 which provides the regulations governing the practice of enrolled agents before IRS. NAEA members are also bound by a code of . ethics and rules of professional conduct.