Any certified tax resolution specialists out there?

[DaveO]

Thank you one and all for your comnents. Yes I was referring to the certificate received from the company and I do agree that the training received certainly is worthwhile if one is taking their business in that direction...as I am. The certificate, if nothing else, tells the client that you are more than just bumbling through the required procedures to help the client.

I just wondered how the rest of you had obtained the knowledge to do this type of tax work.

I work in a small firm where the owner has 20 years of representation experience and maintains good relationships with the IRS and State revene agents. I make an effort to be on good terms with everyone from the call center people to the district managers. I've had audits with most of the auditors and collection cases with most of the collection officers. We attend every IRS liason meeting in the area. Even had a change to visit with Nina Olson at one of them.

I have the direct numbers and/or emails for about 50 of the top IRS people in the district and for a representative number of the state people. If I have a bankruptcy issue I can email the head legal counsel for the IRS in the bankruptcy division and pose my question. If I have a tricky OIC problem I will send my draft to the appeals supervisor for his feedback. Going to these people hat in hand and asking them to share their knowledge enables me to be detailed and through in my preparations.

This relationship building has been a very important aspect of learning representation. I hope to be admitted to the tax court at some point and take it to the next level.

If you have access to Liason meetings in your area I'd encourage you to attend and get the card of any and all IRS personell in attendance.

[Davc]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!

I am not in any way associated with that...that...well I can't swear on this board, and she might sue me for slander, or defamation of character, or whatever. I do audit rep, not resolution ripoff.

How do you defame that character of an admitted lawyer?

[Lion]

No Way!

We all know Joan actually does something, many things, for her clients. We can tell that from her posts and her anecdotes and the help she provides so many of us. So, I can be very positive that she is not connected with that firm that does nothing for its clients except take their retainers!

[joanmcq]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!

I am not in any way associated with that...that...well I can't swear on this board, and she might sue me for slander, or defamation of character, or whatever. I do audit rep, not resolution ripoff.

[Corduroy Frog]

Sacramento Connection

Hmmm, Joan working for a firm that does audit representation?

Roni Deutsch is in Sacramento area. Wonder if.....

[joanmcq]

I have a coworker that was an IRS agent and is a Fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute and recommends it highly. I am thinking of paying for the course of out pocket.

I am getting my experience by working for a firm that only does audit rep.

[taxmandan]

I just wondered how the rest of you had obtained the knowledge to do this type of tax work.

After getting my EA designation, I completed the NAEA program National Tax Practice Institute and am a Fellow of the Institute. I can't imagine a better program for learning about representation for both exam & collections. It has served me well over the years.

[OtisMozzetti]

continuing education in the skill of representation

Enrolled Agents are understandably touchy about this. Our certification comes from the federal government after having taken a very difficult test and maintaining yearly CPE requirements.
...

Within the category of yearly Continuing Professional Education requirements, there is every appetite on the part of Enrolled Agents to have that yearly continued education in some large fraction address the skill of representing taxpayers who have problems with tax authorities.

EA in California

[taxea]

Thank you one and all for your comnents. Yes I was referring to the certificate received from the company and I do agree that the training received certainly is worthwhile if one is taking their business in that direction...as I am. The certificate, if nothing else, tells the client that you are more than just bumbling through the required procedures to help the client.

I just wondered how the rest of you had obtained the knowledge to do this type of tax work.

[joanmcq]

I don't know about 'certified', but if you are going to represent clients at audit or in collections, it helps a lot to know what the heck you are doing. Just because you are an EA, CPA or attorney doesn't mean you know beans about audit rep.

See nearby thread on 529 distributions for folks that don't know beans about a simple CP2000 issue, even though you know tax. A full blown audit is even more tricky.

[jimmcg]

These days it is possible to "purchase" any type of diploma or certification a person would wish to purchase. This is a very low investment and high return on investment for these types of companies.............As long as there are people out there willing to send in their money.

[erchess]

Software

I use Pit Bull Software for anything that's complicated.

[Bees Knees]

My comment is not meant as either a positive or negative statement as to the quality of the training. It was merely meant to respond to the question about the certification.

Enrolled Agents are understandably touchy about this. Our certification comes from the federal government after having taken a very difficult test and maintaining yearly CPE requirements.

However, when you look at the link provided, it says their certification is restricted to Enrolled Agents, CPAs, or Attorneys. Thus, even though this organization has some kind of certification for taking their course and becoming a member, those certified have to have already been certified by the IRS or the state as an EA, CPA, or Attorney.

[lenboush]

As an EA I handle tax problems for clients, what other certification are you thinking of?

The poster is referring to one of those companies out there who provide an opportunity for you to pay for their training in the area of representation and then offer a "certification" after completion of that training.

My comment is not meant as either a positive or negative statement as to the quality of the training. It was merely meant to respond to the question about the certification.

Here is a link to a site: http://www.astps.org/ctrs.php

[taxmandan]

Certified by whom?

As an EA I handle tax problems for clients, what other certification are you thinking of?