When people receive an IRS notice or need professional tax advice, many assume they need to hire a CPA. While CPAs are highly qualified professionals, they're not the only experts authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax professional who has earned the highest credential awarded directly by the Internal Revenue Service.

What Is an Enrolled Agent?

An Enrolled Agent is licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS in all 50 states. To become an EA, professionals must either:

• Pass a comprehensive three-part IRS examination covering individual taxes, business taxes, and IRS representation, or
• Have qualifying experience working for the IRS.

Enrolled Agents are also required to complete continuing education every year to maintain their license and stay current on constantly changing tax laws.

What Can an Enrolled Agent Do?

Enrolled Agents can help individuals and businesses with a wide range of tax matters, including:

• Preparing individual and business tax returns
• Tax planning to legally reduce future tax liability
• IRS audits
• IRS notices and correspondence
• Payment plans and installment agreements
• Penalty abatement requests
• Offers in Compromise
• Payroll tax issues
• Tax resolution services

Unlike many tax preparers, Enrolled Agents have unlimited representation rights, meaning they can represent any taxpayer before the IRS, regardless of who prepared the tax return.

EA vs. CPA: What's the Difference?

Both Enrolled Agents and Certified Public Accountants are highly respected professionals, but their areas of expertise are different.

CPAs typically receive broad training in accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and taxation.

Enrolled Agents specialize exclusively in federal taxation and IRS representation. Every aspect of an EA's education, testing, and continuing education is focused on tax law and helping taxpayers navigate the IRS.

If your primary concern is taxes, tax planning, or resolving IRS issues, an Enrolled Agent is uniquely qualified to help.

Why Choose an Enrolled Agent?

Tax laws change every year, and mistakes can be expensive. Working with an Enrolled Agent means partnering with a professional whose career is dedicated to understanding the U.S. tax code and helping taxpayers stay compliant while minimizing their tax burden.

Whether you're an individual taxpayer, self-employed, or a growing business owner, an EA can provide year-round guidance, not just during tax season.

How Affinity Accounting & Tax Can Help

At Affinity Accounting & Tax, we're proud to be an Enrolled Agent firm serving Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and clients across the United States.

We provide:

• Individual and business tax preparation
• Proactive tax planning
• IRS representation
• Bookkeeping
• Payroll services
• Small business advisory services

Our goal is simple: help you make informed tax decisions, stay compliant, and keep more of what you earn.

If you're looking for a trusted tax professional, we'd love to help. Contact Affinity Accounting & Tax today to schedule a consultation and experience the difference an Enrolled Agent can make.