Straight answers to real tax questions
No jargon, no scare tactics, no filler. These are the questions I get asked most, written out the way I would explain them on a call. Written by Yehuda Tenenbaum, EA.
Enrolled agents, explained
What is an Enrolled Agent, and why does it matter for your tax return?
The only tax credential awarded by the federal government itself. What it takes to earn one, what it lets your preparer do, and how to verify someone really holds it.
Read the article → Choosing a proEnrolled Agent vs CPA vs unlicensed preparer: who should do your taxes?
EA, CPA, attorney, or the storefront down the street? A straight comparison of what each is licensed to do and which fits your return.
Read the article → IRS representationWho can represent you before the IRS?
Unlimited rights, limited rights, and none at all. Who is allowed to speak to the IRS on your behalf, and what a power of attorney actually changes.
Read the article →Working with a tax professional
How to choose a tax preparer, and the red flags to walk away from
A seven-step checklist for hiring someone to do your taxes, plus the warning signs that should end the conversation on the spot.
Read the article → Working with a proWhat does it cost to have a professional prepare your tax return?
What actually drives the price of a return, how preparers structure fees, and how to compare two quotes that are not describing the same job.
Read the article →Filing basics
What documents do I need to file my tax return?
A complete checklist of what to gather before you file, what to do when a form never arrives, and how long to keep all of it afterward.
Read the article → Small businessYour first year self-employed: what you actually owe, and when
Nobody is withholding for you anymore. Self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, safe harbors, and how much to set aside so April is not a disaster.
Read the article → Filing basicsDoes a tax extension give you more time to pay? No, and here is why that matters
The most expensive misunderstanding in tax: an extension moves your filing deadline, not your payment deadline. What that costs, and when an extension is still the right move.
Read the article →When the IRS writes to you
Have a question these did not answer?
That is most of them, honestly. Every situation has a wrinkle. Tell me what yours is and I will give you a straight answer, and if you need someone in your corner with the IRS, that is exactly what an Enrolled Agent is licensed for.
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