CPA vs EA vs Tax Preparer: Who Should Do Your Taxes?

CPAs are state licensed accountants who may or may not specialize in tax. Enrolled Agents (EAs) are federally licensed by the IRS specifically in tax and can represent any taxpayer before the IRS. Other tax preparers need only a PTIN and have limited representation rights.

Enrolled Agent (EA)

Licensed by the IRS after passing a three part exam on individual tax, business tax, and representation, or through qualifying IRS experience. EAs have unlimited representation rights for audits, collections, and appeals in all 50 states.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Licensed by a state board after the CPA exam, which covers auditing, financial reporting, and tax. CPAs also have unlimited IRS representation rights and are the right choice for audited financial statements.

Tax preparer (PTIN only)

Anyone paid to prepare returns must have a PTIN. Without a credential, a preparer can generally only represent clients for returns they prepared, and only in limited situations.

Which one do you need?

Simple return: an experienced preparer may be enough.
IRS letters, back taxes, or audits: an EA or CPA with representation experience.
Financial statements or attest work: a CPA.

Common questions

Is an EA as good as a CPA for taxes?: For tax preparation and IRS representation, EAs and CPAs have the same unlimited federal rights. The EA credential is tax specific.
Does MyTaxFella have Enrolled Agents?: Yes. Founder Anthony Mauriello is an Enrolled Agent, and our team includes credentialed tax professionals.

Want someone to handle it for you?

Our Enrolled Agents review your situation and tell you the next step in plain language.

Book with our team →(718) 356-5178