How do you become an enrolled agent?
The first thing to should know is that an enrolled agent is a tax professional who has passed the Enrolled Agent Exam (which the Internal Revenue Service refers to as the Special Enrollment Examination, or SEE) and met the ethical standards required by the IRS.
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In order to become an enrolled agent, there are specific steps you must take. This article breaks the process down into 10 simple steps. Treat this as a guide to your strategy to quickly become an enrolled agent!
Contents
EA Exam Requirements
Unlike most other professional qualifications, being an Enrolled Agent (EA) does not require a college degree. Further, after becoming an EA, your certification is valid across all 50 states.
You can sit for the Enrolled Agent Examination without being a seasoned professional. Of course, having a foundation in taxation makes the process a whole lot easier, but plenty of students with no tax expertise have studied and passed the EA Exam on their first try.
As long as you meet the EA examination requirements given below, you are qualified to write the EA exam. However, these requirements do not apply to some IRS employees due to their past technical experience.
So, what are the requirements to become an enrolled agent?
EA exam requirements
- You must be over the age of 18.
- You must have an active IRS Personal Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
- You must comply with US tax laws.
- You must pass all three parts of the Enrolled Agent Exam.
- Candidates with five years of prior IRS job experience may be excluded from taking the exam entirely.
How to Become an Enrolled Agent
An enrolled agent (EA) is the highest credential awarded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). EAs have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before all IRS and U.S. tax courts’ administrative levels.
They can practice before the IRS, including audits, collections, and appeals of federal tax issues, only after meeting specific requirements set forth by the IRS.
There are five basic steps to become an Enrolled Agent.
1) Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
An enrolled agent is a federally-authorized tax practitioner with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. You must have a PTIN and IRS e-Services account before representing taxpayers.
To get your PTIN, visit here.
2) Schedule your test appointments at Prometric
To become an enrolled agent, you have to pass a series of three exams. But first, you have to schedule your test appointments at Prometric. You can also review sample test questions, the SEE Candidate Information Bulletin, and other resources needed to prepare for the EA test.
3) Pass all three parts of the SEE within three years
To become an EA, you must pass all three parts of the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) within three years.
The SEE is a comprehensive exam on a computer at testing sites around the country.
You’ll have 35 minutes to answer 100 questions from each part. For passing all three SEE parts, an average score of at least 105 is required.
4) Apply for enrollment
To become an enrolled agent, you must apply for enrollment through the Internal Revenue Service. Later, you’ll pay the enrollment fee either electronically or by downloading Form 23 in PDF format.
Once enrolled as an agent with the IRS, you can mail the completed form and check to IRS.
5) Pass a suitability check, which will include tax compliance
Passing a suitability check is the last step to becoming an enrolled agent. You’ll have to provide your fingerprints for a criminal background check by the IRS, which can be done through the Enrollment Application website. You’ll also be asked to provide your SSN, date of birth, and other personal information.
How to Prepare for the Enrolled Agent Exam
On the surface, it sounds easy to prepare for the enrolled agent exam.
Unfortunately, the enrolled agent exam is no cakewalk. You’ll have to take it seriously, and use effective study aids like and enrolled agent review course.
This guide provides 8 tips on how to prepare for the enrolled agent exam that will help you pass the exam on the first try.
Let’s proceed!
1) Use Practice Questions
Practice questions can help you prepare for the EA exam by providing an idea of what to expect and identifying areas for improvement. You’ll be able to see the correct answer, which will help you master the concepts that are difficult for you to understand.
2) Focus on Speed
One of the best ways to prepare for the EA exam is to focus on speed. The best way to do this is by setting a timer and ensuring you can answer all questions within the allotted time. This will help you get a feel for how much time you need to spend on each question and improve your accuracy when you take practice exams.
3) Choose Your Test Date Wisely
Choosing the most convenient date for your exam may seem like a no-brainer, but doing so wisely can help you prepare well for the EA exams.
Get the exam schedule and select a date that offers you the most time to prepare.
4) Look Into Test Prep Courses
The best way to prepare for the EA exam is by using a test prep course. These best EA review courses provide the opportunity to take practice exams and quizzes and learn about the different parts of the exam.
It will help you understand what topics require in-depth study and which topics you can skip or skim over. The courses also guide you on how to approach each part of the EA exam so that you can feel confident on test day.
5) Think About Test Day Etiquette
The EA exam is the final step to becoming an enrolled agent. To be successful, you will need to have a good understanding of the course content.
Arriving early will give you time to relax before the exam and help you avoid rushing or feeling overwhelmed when checking in. Plus, it will help you feel more prepared for the day ahead.
6) Relax Before Taking The Exam
Relaxing before an exam is a good idea because it helps you focus on what you know and not what you don’t. A few minutes of breathing exercises can help too.
7) Eliminate All Technology Before the Test
Do not bring any device with you for the test. This includes cell phones, laptops, and tablets. If you must bring a device, ensure it is switched off and in your bag.
8) Don’t Sleep in on Test Day
Taking care of yourself is important, even if it means something as simple as getting adequate sleep the night before the exam. It will help you be at your best and give you a good start on test day.
Top Study Material for the EA Exam
One of the best ways to ensure you’re ready to pass the Enrolled Agent (EA) exam on your first try is to sign up for the best EA courses and use the right study material for EA exams.
The EA exam is tough and even tougher if you don’t know how to study for EA exams or don’t have the right study materials to get you through it. However, there are excellent study materials that can give you an edge over other aspiring EAs. You can also attend classes to become an enrolled agent.
So, whether you prefer an online course, self-study guides, instructor-led classes, or other study material for EA exams, be sure that you’re using the best courses for your preparation.
Here is how to study for EA exams using the right study materials.
Textbooks (digital and print formats)
A good textbook will provide information to pass the exam. It should be comprehensive and cover all topics.
Textbooks are a great tool to use because they include many different types of questions, which prepares you well for the exam.
You can also use textbooks as a study aid after you’ve taken the best EA courses or as a supplement to your online course materials.
Flashcards
Flashcards are a simple and efficient way to get all the information before you.
Audio lessons
The importance of audio lessons as EA study materials cannot be overstated. Audio lessons allow you to listen to prerecorded lectures on the go so that you can find time for your studies in-between your otherwise busy days.
Live virtual classrooms
Live virtual classrooms are essential as study material for EA exams because they provide real-live interaction with the instructor. As a bonus, they are also a time saver and ensure you can take the classes to become an enrolled agent at your convenience.
Live virtual classes to become an enrolled agent give instant access to instructors and fellow students and allow you to ask questions as they arise. This is not possible in traditional lectures or when studying alone at home.
Instructional videos
The best EA courses have instructional videos. These are a key part of the study material for EA exams because they can help you learn faster and more thoroughly.
Another benefit of using videos to study for enrolled agent exam is that they allow you to take a break and focus on watching or listening to something without feeling that you’re taking time away from your studies.
Practice tests and questions – and lots of them
A useful study material for EA exams is practice tests and questions. Practice tests simulate the EA exam and are a great way to get used to the format and different types of questions.
Reviewing questions also helps to familiarize yourself with tricky tax law topics.
Online student community support
Having study material for EA exams is helpful for self-study, but it’s even more beneficial to have the support of other students in a study group. The best EA courses are often an organized way to do this.
By joining an online EA community and getting together with peers help you stay on track throughout the exam process.
Bottom Line
Enrolled agents are special tax advisors who can represent taxpayers before the IRS and offer professional representation on matters related to taxes.
To become an enrolled agent, you must first meet the requirements outlined in this article. This may seem like a difficult process, but if you work hard and follow these given steps, you can be well on your way to becoming an EA.
