Tax preparer guides & explainers
Plain-English answers to the questions taxpayers actually ask before hiring a preparer — sourced from IRS publications, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and decades of practitioner literature.
What Is an IRS Enrolled Agent?
A plain-English explainer of the Enrolled Agent credential, the Special Enrollment Examination, and what unlimited representation rights actually mean.
CPA basicsWhat Is a Certified Public Accountant?
How CPAs become licensed by state boards of accountancy, what the four-section CPA exam covers, and when a CPA is the right hire for tax work.
AFSP basicsWhat Is the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP)?
The history of the AFSP, what the 18-hour continuing-education track includes, and the limited representation rights AFSP filers receive.
PTIN lookupHow to Verify a Tax Preparer's PTIN
Step-by-step instructions for confirming any paid preparer's PTIN against the IRS Return Preparer Office public directory.
EA vs CPAEnrolled Agent vs CPA: Which One Should You Hire?
A side-by-side comparison of the EA and CPA credentials across scope, cost, representation rights, and typical engagements.
Choose a preparerHow to Choose a Tax Preparer
A practical, IRS-aligned checklist for vetting a preparer before handing over a single document.
Audit helpIRS Audit Representation, Explained
What it means to be represented before the IRS, who can do it, and the difference between unlimited and limited representation rights.
Red flags10 Tax Preparer Red Flags the IRS Wants You to Know
The warning signs of a "ghost" or fraudulent preparer, drawn directly from the IRS Dirty Dozen and Tax Time Guide bulletins.