If you’re exploring hiring a professional to do your taxes, you may come across the terms enrolled agent (EA) or certified public accountant (CPA). An enrolled agent is a tax practitioner who is licensed at the federal level by the Internal Revenue Service.

What is an EA degree in accounting?

The Enrolled Agent credential is a nationally recognized certification offered by the IRS for tax professionals. You can become an EA by obtaining a Personal Tax Identification Number (PTIN), passing all three parts of the IRS’s Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), and passing compliance and background checks.

How long does it take to become an EA?

Depending on your tax knowledge, becoming an enrolled agent can take 3-8 months. You may hear some enrolled agents boast that the EA exam is easy and they passed it in just a few weeks. Yet, the reality is that most candidates are not able to pass in 1 month.

What does an IRS Enrolled Agent ( EA ) do?

What is an IRS Enrolled Agent (EA)? An enrolled agent is a federally licensed tax practitioner who has unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled agents are licensed by the IRS.

Can a CPA be licensed as an EA?

CPAs are licensed at the state level which limits their scope of practice within those jurisdictions; however, it is possible to gain reciprocity in certain situations. Both CPAs and EAs must uphold stringent ethics standards. What is an IRS Enrolled Agent (EA)?

How much does it cost to become an EA?

To become an EA, you first must obtain a PTIN (Personal Tax Identification Number) from the IRS, which costs $50. The cost of each section of the exam is $111.94. After you’ve passed the exam, there is a $30 enrollment fee. That brings the total cost to $415.82.

How to prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam?

Our IRS Enrolled Agent Study Guide contains the important information you will most likely see on the IRS Special Enrollment Examination. We wrote this EA study guide for tax professionals looking for an efficient and effective way to prepare for the enrolled agent exam. *Previous purchases are ineligible for offer.