Rate
Your Preparers Knowledge & Qualifications
Unlike
CPAs and attorneys who may or may not choose to specialize
in taxes, ALL Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation.
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WAB
CPA
Firm
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Enrolled
Treasury
Agent
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CPA
Firm
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Attorney
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Commercial
Preparers
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Other
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| Licensed
Issued by IRS Department Of Treasury |
Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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No
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CPA
License Issued by State Accountancy Board
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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Attorney
License Issued by State Bar Association
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No
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No
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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CPE
Required Annually In Federal Income Tax
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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No
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CPE
Required Annually (Elective tax or other areas)
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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Special
Two Day Written Examination In Taxation Administered
By IRS
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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No
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Subject
To Background Check By IRS & NCIC & Regulated
By Congress Since 1884.
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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No
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Subject
to Background Check By State Of Texas
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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No
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Have
limited "Client Priviledge" before IRS
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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See
Below
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No
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No
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Have
full "Client Priviledge" before IRS
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No
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No
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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How
Licenses To Represent Clients Are Obtained
CPA's
and Attorneys receive their right to represent clients
before IRS by merely becoming a CPA or Attorney. They
are not required to prove they have knowledge of IRS tax
law, collections or appeals procedures prior to licensing.
Enrolled
Agents must prove their knowledge of the tax law, collections
and appeals procedures prior to receiving a license to
represent taxpayers before IRS. Once more, the only thing
CPA's may do which EA's can't is preparing audited financial
statements.
Who
Should Represent You Before IRS?
Mr.
Bonner feels he should remind potential clients that no
CPA, EA or other professional can guarantee a specific
outcome when dealing with IRS, but a client is much better
off with professional representation than trying to do
it themselves.
A
taxpayer can do his own tax return, he can even get another
professional to represent them; but, for his own protection,
and if he's seeking the best results, he should obtain
professional services from someone experienced and dedicated
to representing clients before IRS.
CPA's
Don't Have Pure Client Privilege Like An Attorney
Clients
must always remember that CPA's have "only limited
privilege." If you need to discuss an issue regarding
a criminal or heavy civil matter, you must engage an attorney
to hire a CPA for you before you talk to the CPA yourself.
If
you need help in selecting an attorney, please call
us.
