Enrolled Agent Ethical Standards - 2023 (Text Based)

The Internal Revenue Service routinely processes more than 240 million tax returns each year, many of them prepared by tax professionals. Not surprisingly, as tax law becomes increasingly complex, taxpayers often seek the knowledgeable assistance of enrolled agents and other professionals in their preparation.

To help ensure enrolled agents and other professionals understand their ethical responsibilities in representing their clients before the IRS and in preparing tax returns, the IRS has published Treasury Department Circular 230. Circular 230 offers substantial guidance by:

• Setting forth rules relating to the authority to practice before the IRS; and

• Identifying the duties and restrictions relating to such practice.

This course will examine the principal rules, duties and restrictions applicable to enrolled agents in their professional activities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the permitted scope of enrolled agent responsibilities in their practice before the Internal Revenue Service;

2. Identify the best practices for preparing or assisting in the preparation of a submission to the Internal Revenue Service; and

3. List the duties and restrictions applicable to enrolled agents with respect to -

1. Information to be furnished to the IRS,

2. Dealing with taxpayer omissions, errors and noncompliance with U.S. revenue laws,

3. The requirement for preparer diligence,

4. Return of client records,

5. The existence of conflicts of interest, and

6. Solicitation of business.

4. Define "practice before the Internal Revenue Service";

5. Recognize the general scope of permitted enrolled agent practice responsibilities;

6. List the categories of individuals permitted to practice before the IRS; and

7. Identify the extent of practice privileges

8. Return of client records and documents;

9. PTIN requirements; and

10. Enrolled agent supervisory responsibilities.

Instructional Method: Self-Study

Review Date: 03/18/2024

Required Components: Written Materials

CPE Final Exam Required Passage Grade: 70%

Please Note: This course must be completed within 1 year of the date of receipt of this course for CPE Credit.

Field of Study: Regulatory Ethics

Level of Knowledge: Beginner

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Knowledge: None

For more information regarding administrative policies such as refunds, cancellations, and complaints, please contact FurtherEd at (912) 666-6282.

FurtherEd is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.