What is an Enrolled Agent   

Enrolled Agents are tax practitioners licensed by the federal government to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service;  thus our slogan, "We Speak Tax."  Unlike most lawyers or CPAs, Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation.  Enrolled Agents are the only professionals required to demonstrate competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer.  They must either pass a difficult and comprehensive examination or have several years of experience working in professional positions within the IRS.  

Enrolled Agents can represent taxpayers in all your administrative dealings with the Internal Revenue Service as can attorneys and CPAs.  Enrolled Agents’ expertise in the constantly changing field of tax law enables them to be effective representatives when taxpayers are audited by the IRS. Fees charged by Enrolled Agents are normally less than CPAs charge for the same work.  All persons in California who prepare tax returns for compensation must be Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, Attorneys or have a license issued by the California Tax Education Council. Ordinary tax return preparers and bookkeepers can't represent you except in very limited circumstances.  

Enrolled Agents have to get continuing education on technical tax subjects and ethics to maintain their licenses and professional society memberships.  For every Enrolled Agent in the country, there are about ten CPAs.   Members of the Big Valley Chapter also belong to their professional societies, the National Society of Enrolled Agents and California Society of Enrolled Agents.

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Find out about a career as an Enrolled Agent

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