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When studying for the exam, don’t overlook IRS publications, forms, and instructions. Be sure to review Circular 230, which covers the regulations governing practice before https://www.bookstime.com/articles/how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent the IRS. Most people need to study at least 50 hours for one of the three parts of the exam. You may need to study more for some parts of the exam than others.
The other 15 MCQs are considered experimental and not counted in your score. All of the information on the exam is publicly available via the IRS’s website. However, there is no set route of study on the website, and it is very difficult to sift through all of the information and decide what is relevant to the exam.
Enroll in a Review Course
To further inform your decision, learn more about the enrolled agent exam costs and the EA exam pass rates. This information will help you decide if the EA makes sense for you. In fact, they have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
Also, you can choose to fax or mail your Prometric registration. However, you can only register for the exam and schedule your appointment on the same day if you use the online method. Your study schedule will help you better understand when you can sit for the EA exam. Basically, about 3 weeks before your study time is over, you should schedule your test appointment for the appropriate EA exam part. Instead, all you need to take the exam is a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
Preparing for the Special Enrollment Exam
A CPA candidate must fulfill all of their state’s education requirements, satisfy practical experience prerequisites, and pass a four-part CPA examination. EAs, unlike CPAs, cannot provide compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statements; nevertheless, they can often undertake bookkeeping work for tax return preparation. The fundamental distinction between an EA and a CPA is that the former specializes in taxation, although the latter can specialize in taxation as well as other areas. As audits became more frequent, they moved from mere tax preparations to representing taxpayers before the IRS.
- Once you have everything together, you’ll create an account with the IRS Tax Professional PTIN System Opens in new window and follow the prompts to fill out the application.
- The fundamental distinction between an EA and a CPA is that the former specializes in taxation, although the latter can specialize in taxation as well as other areas.
- There is a three-part examination process known as the Special Enrollment Examination or SEE.
- You can submit your PTIN application every year starting in mid-October.
- As mentioned, only CPAs and attorneys enjoy the same rights before the IRS.
- Ask a question about your financial situation providing as much detail as possible.