How to Become an Enrolled Agent: 10 Steps to the EA Designation

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a qualified tax professional who has earned the legal right to represent clients on their tax matters before the IRS. 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 best to put his or her expertise to work for you. Find an enrolled agent near you with NAEA’s Find a Tax Expert Directory. You can even start your own tax planning and preparation firm and assist individuals and businesses with their tax needs. Having your own business allows you to specialize in particular niches and areas of interest, like working with high-net worth individuals or real enrolled agent designation estate agents and companies. While other tax professionals, including CPAs, obtain their license through a state agency, an EA designation is federal, so you can practice anywhere in the United States.

History and background of the Enrolled Agent designation

CPA candidates usually choose a course like Becker CPA, Gleim CPA, or  Surgent CPA. Although these courses are expensive, savvy candidates can find discounts and promotional codes to reduce the costs. Therefore, we highly recommend candidates review the best CPA review discounts before purchasing their course as a way to keep more Online Accounting money in their pockets. Another CPA Exam cost you must take into account is the application fee. You’ll have to pay this fee the first time you apply to your state board, and it ranges from $30 to $200, depending on the state board.

What should I bring to the testing center? (reviewed Oct. 19,

Instead, you will provide your PTIN when you schedule an EA exam testing appointment, and you will be allowed to make the appointment because you have a PTIN. To truly commit the time, money, and effort the EA licensing process requires, you must really understand and value the tangible benefits of becoming an enrolled agent affords your career. So, EAs, CPAs, and attorneys hold the same good standing before the IRS.

• Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia.
• By doing so, they are trying to help their clients avoid penalties, interest, or additional taxes that could result from an IRS examination.
• Prometric gives you 15 minutes to schedule your exam before you have to start the process over.
• Certified public accountants (CPAs) have passed the Uniform CPA Examination.

Why You Should Become an Enrolled Agent: 6 Reasons You’ll Want to Be an EA

Take the first step today and embark on a fulfilling career as a tax professional and find a professional association to help you meet your goals. Business Planning – A well-thought-out business plan is essential for starting a successful tax practice. Begin by defining your niche—will you focus on individual tax preparation, small business tax services, or tax resolution?

Tax & Online Software Products

Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation. CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states, but enrolled agents are federally licensed. This designation is licensed by state boards of accountancy, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Certified public accountants (CPAs) have passed the Uniform CPA Examination. CPAs have completed a study in accounting at a college or university and have also met experience and good character requirements established by their respective boards of accountancy. In addition, CPAs must comply with ethical requirements and complete specified levels of continuing education in order to maintain an active CPA license.

How can I get more information or schedule an appointment by phone if I live overseas? (updated June 26,

Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the test center. A complete list of test center rules can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin at Prometric. Scheduling is now available for an exam appointment for the May 1, 2025–Feb. The test is offered from May 1 to the end of Feb. of the following year. The test is not offered during the annual blackout period in March and April.

• Are you smart, organized, detail-oriented, and always ready to learn?
• As an EA, you have seemingly endless opportunities to grow your career and, as a result, your bank account.
• They can’t owe the IRS and must have filed all their tax returns due to date.
• The key to passing any large exams is to put in the hours and practice, which requires practicing each and every day for several weeks.
• Notably, EAs join attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs) as the only three types of professionals with unlimited IRS representation rights.

In addition, states approve CPAs, while the federal government approves EAs. In addition, they cannot display their credentials when representing clients and advertising their services. They cannot use the term certified as part of a title or infer an employee relationship with the IRS.

EAs represent a wide range of clients including individuals, corporations, estates, partnerships, trusts, and more. Although enrolled agents provide clients with year-round tax planning, their experience extends beyond Accounts Payable Management taxation. Many EAs possess broad financial knowledge and can provide holistic financial planning services. They can assist with retirement planning, investment strategies, risk management and other aspects of financial well-being.