Enrolled Agents: America’s Tax Experts

When it comes to taxes, enrolled agents are the experts. Enrolled agents are the only federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. The enrolled agent profession dates back to 1884 when, after receiving questionable claims for Civil War losses, Congress enacted regulations for people who represented citizens before the US Treasury Department.

As an Enrolled Agent, our owner Laura Strombom has a unique ability to represent our clients in ways that typical tax preparers cannot. Working under her oversight, our team can provide the best possible advice and representation for our clients in their dealings with the IRS.

EAs are equipped to advise, represent and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any entities with tax-reporting requirements. Enrolled agents’ expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables them to effectively represent taxpayers at all administrative levels of the IRS. Using an enrolled agent can save significant time and effort in tax preparation and its associated tasks.

Like attorneys and certified public accountants, enrolled agents have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle and for which IRS offices they can represent clients.

Enrolled agents also enjoy a limited client privilege which allows, under certain conditions, confidentiality between the taxpayer and the enrolled agent. The privilege applies to situations in which the taxpayer is being represented in cases involving audits and collection matters, not for the preparation and filing of a tax return and does not apply to state tax matters.

Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Enrolled agents are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in all areas of taxation, representation and ethics before they are given unlimited representation rights before IRS. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who are state licensed and may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation.

To become an enrolled agent, candidates must either pass a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns or have experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agents must comply with ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years.

Whether your tax situation is simple or complex, having an enrolled agent on your team gives you the expert representation and peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re working with someone who has the highest level of knowledge, expertise, and legal responsibility recognized by the IRS.