Enrolled agents are tax professionals, too

There are many more tax professionals out there aside from certified public accountants (“CPAs continue to add planning to their practices,” Oct. 11)

There are many more tax professionals out there aside from certified public accountants (“CPAs continue to add planning to their practices,” Oct. 11).

I am an enrolled agent, licensed by the Treasury Department to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. I, along with the other 46,000 enrolled agents in the United States, prepare tax returns.

Only enrolled agents are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer before the agency. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation.

Enrolled agents are the only taxpayer representatives who receive their right to practice from the U.S. government (CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states).

In addition, firms such as H.D. Vest Investment Services have many enrolled agent representatives. I have been one for 17 years.

I object to being overlooked. I certainly object to being called a CPA.

Your readers deserve accurate reporting, and the story took the shortcut.

If you would like to learn more about enrolled agents, please visit the website of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (naea.org).

Kevin C. Huston

Owner

Blue Ridge Tax Advisors Inc.

Asheville, N.C.