Why credential type matters
Federal law only requires a paid preparer to hold a PTIN — a baseline accountability number, not a quality signal. Beyond the PTIN, four IRS-recognized credential categories carry real weight, and each is built for a different job: Enrolled Agents specialize in tax and can represent you before the IRS nationwide; CPAs combine tax work with broader accounting, bookkeeping, and attestation services; AFSP filers have completed voluntary continuing education for straightforward seasonal returns; and tax attorneys handle matters with legal exposure, litigation, or Tax Court. This tool applies the same logic our how-to-choose-a-tax-preparer guide walks through in more depth.