Whether you are a tax preparer already or are considering a career in tax preparation, you’ve likely been thinking about whether or not to become an Enrolled Agent.
Becoming an EA has many benefits and should be something all tax preparers aspire to. Here are some of the many reasons to pursue your EA designation.
Unlimited Representation Rights
Just because you prepare taxes for the public does not mean you have rights to represent clients before the IRS. Tax Preparers without credentials are only able to represent a client whose tax return they have prepared and signed. Enrolled Agents, however, have unlimited representation rights, meaning they can represent their clients before the IRS on any matters including audits, payment/collection issues, and appeals.
As IRS examinations are on the rise, and people are in need of representation for delinquent tax obligations or IRS collection activities, the need for Enrolled Agents has increased.
Prepare More Complicated Returns
As an EA, your earning potential is much higher because you have the ability to prepare more complicated tax returns. The credentials allow you to offer a wider range of services that include helping people with audits, representing clients at an IRS appeals office, preparing and filing documents on a client’s behalf, corresponding directly with the IRS, attending hearings and conferences on behalf of your client, and providing written advice to third parties on the tax implications of business transactions.
IRS Examinations Are Up
The IRS has really started to up the number of examinations they perform each season. This means that there is an increased need for EAs as more people are being audited each year.
Increase Your Credibility
Enrolled Agent is the highest credential you can earn in this industry, thus you have more credibility as a tax preparer who has gone through a considerable amount of training and passed the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE).
Be In Good Standing with The IRS
The IRS regulations on tax preparers are constantly changing. As an EA, you won’t have to worry about future required credentials because you will already have them. As an EA you do not have to take the IRS Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course to be on their National Database list of credentialed preparers, you are automatically included.
These are just some of the many reasons to become an Enrolled Agent. If you’re in need of the training to prepare for the SEE, Our Chartered Tax Certificate Programs will teach you everything you need to learn in order to ready yourself for the SEE. Once you’ve gone through the essential tax training, check out our EA Exam Prep materials.
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