IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE ?

I love the commercial where the shirtless guy is talking to the doctor on the phone. The doctor tells the guy “oh, it's a fairly easy procedure.” Now I just want you to make a 3-inch incision in your abdomen. The guy’s face cracks me up. He looks like what!? It's funny, but we all do it all the time. We surf the net and read a couple articles or see a how-to site, and all of a sudden we can fly, fix cars, build a house, diagnose and treat ourselves like a doctor, and even take on the IRS with the skill of an enrolled agent! Intellectually, does that even add up?

According to the IRS manual, "There are two tracks to becoming an enrolled agent. These tracks are described in Federal regulations contained in a pamphlet known as Treasury Department Circular 230, Regulations Governing the Practice of Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, Enrolled Actuaries, and Appraisers Before the Internal Revenue Service. The two tracks are:
Written examination. You can become an enrolled agent by demonstrating special competence in tax matters by taking a written examination. This track requires that you -
Apply to take the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE); prometric.com/irs;

Achieve passing scores on all parts of the SEE;

Apply for enrollment; and

Pass a background check to ensure that you have not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent from practice before the IRS.

IRS experience. You can become an enrolled agent by virtue of past service and technical experience with the IRS that qualifies you for enrollment. This track requires that you -

Possess the years of past service and technical experience specified in Circular 230;

Apply for enrollment; and

Pass a background check to ensure that you have not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent from practice before the IRS. "

Now are you ready to put what you know up against the knowledge that is required to practice before the IRS? Do you feel qualified? The outcomes you read here or see on TV are done by professionals. Please do not attempt any of these complicated negotiations without the help of a trained negotiator.