DON'T FORGET AN ENROLLED AGENT

Don't overlook an enrolled agent for filing your estate taxes, By Cora M. Barnhart • Bankrate.com

Enrolled Agent is a person who has earned the privilege of practicing, that is, representing taxpayers, before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled Agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can practice before. Enrolled Agents are licensed by the IRS. Enrolled Agent or CPA can represent you at an audit without your physical presence. Whereas, with a Professional Tax Preparer that is not enrolled you HAVE to be physically present. An Enrolled Agent is different from a CPA in that an Enrolled Agent practices with a national license, while a CPA is only licensed to do business within a state. Enrolled Agents are the only taxpayer representative who receive their right to practice from the United States government.

Possible confrontations with the IRS haunt many working Americans not to mention filing estate taxes. While some level of paranoia during the tax season may seem reasonable, a few of these concerns are justifiable. Serious personal problems sometimes prevent a taxpayer from filing a return and this omission could escalate into several years. Intentions to become tax compliant weaken as the individual imagines possible retribution for these missed returns. Can these delinquent offenders safely become tax-compliant again?

This tax tip discusses a possible solution for the dilemma described above, the enrolled agent. Enrolled Agents are tax professionals licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. After describing the background and purpose of this profession, this tip distinguishes enrolled agents from other tax professionals. You also will learn what you can do if you haven't filed taxes in a while. This process begins with contacting an enrolled agent in your area.

History and responsibilities
Enrolled agents date back to 1884. Many taxpayers claimed losses from the Civil War that were questionable, and Congress recognized a need to regulate individuals representing citizens dealing with the Treasury Department about their taxes. President Chester Arthur responded by creating enrolled agents.

Today, enrolled agents assist taxpayers in a number of ways:

• They prepare tax returns.
• They answer questions regarding national, state and local tax laws.
• They represent taxpayers in disputes with the IRS.

Enrolled agents prepare millions of tax returns annually. They also provide tax assistance for estates, trusts, partnerships, corporations and other entities that are required to report taxes.

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ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLIENTS ARE:

Orange County is a county in Southern California, United States. Its county seat is Santa Ana. According to the 2000 Census, its population was 2,846,289, making it the second most populous county in the state of California, and the fifth most populous in the United States. The state of California estimates its population as of 2007 to be 3,098,121 people, dropping its rank to third, behind San Diego County. Thirty-four incorporated cities are located in Orange County; the newest is Aliso Viejo.

Unlike many other large centers of population in the United States, Orange County uses its county name as its source of identification whereas other places in the country are identified by the large city that is closest to them. This is because there is no defined center to Orange County like there is in other areas which have one distinct large city. Five Orange County cities have populations exceeding 170,000 while no cities in the county have populations surpassing 360,000. Seven of these cities are among the 200 largest cities in the United States.

Orange County is also famous as a tourist destination, as the county is home to such attractions as Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, as well as sandy beaches for swimming and surfing, yacht harbors for sailing and pleasure boating, and extensive area devoted to parks and open space for golf, tennis, hiking, kayaking, cycling, skateboarding, and other outdoor recreation. It is at the center of Southern California's Tech Coast, with Irvine being the primary business hub.

The average price of a home in Orange County is $541,000. Orange County is the home of a vast number of major industries and service organizations. As an integral part of the second largest market in America, this highly diversified region has become a Mecca for talented individuals in virtually every field imaginable. Indeed the colorful pageant of human history continues to unfold here; for perhaps in no other place on earth is there an environment more conducive to innovative thinking, creativity and growth than this exciting, sun bathed valley stretching between the mountains and the sea in Orange County.

Orange County was Created March 11 1889, from part of Los Angeles County, and, according to tradition, so named because of the flourishing orange culture. Orange, however, was and is a commonplace name in the United States, used originally in honor of the Prince of Orange, son-in-law of King George II of England.

Incorporated: March 11, 1889 Legislative Districts: * Congressional: 38th-40th, 42nd & 43 * California Senate: 31st-33rd, 35th & 37 * California Assembly: 58th, 64th, 67th, 69th, 72nd & 74 County Seat: Santa Ana County Information: Robert E. Thomas Hall of Administration 10 Civic Center Plaza, 3rd Floor, Santa Ana 92701 Telephone: (714)834-2345 Fax: (714)834-3098 County Government Website: http://www.oc.ca.gov