RTRP Exam Preparation

[Koss]

Any word on when the RTRP exam prep course will be available from The Tax Book?

(I'm an enrolled agent, but a couple guys I work with are eager to begin studying.)

BMK

[Uncle Sam]

EA Wanting RTRP

Please explain to me why an EA wants to be an RTRP?

An EA has unrestricted rights to tax practice with IRS, where RTRPs are licensed to
only prepare certain types of returns, and can only represent clients before IRS for
returns they have prepared.

What motivates one to go for a more restrictive credential?

[Jesse]

Perhaps to add more impressive initials after your name - just kidding.

Unless they have talked about revamping the database one reason could be to get on "the list" the IRS will be making available. Last that I heard was this list will not be including EA's or CPA's - only RTRP's.

As an EA I think this stinks!

In Burton's case I think he is inquiring for his friends - that's the way I took it anyway.

[Koss]

Credentials

Yes, I was asking because I have colleagues that want to see what TTB has to offer.

I have no plans to take the RTRP exam.

What if an enrolled agent takes the exam and fails?

As for the "list," I have heard that at some point, there will in fact be a public database that one can visit online in order to confirm that a person is or is not an enrolled agent.

While I can't cite any specific sources, I have the distinct feeling that this has been something of a sore spot for a while, even before the IRS the RTRP licensing process.

An EA is a licensed professional. In today's internet age, there is a general expectation that the public should be able to check the status of a person's professional credentials. I'm sure it varies somewhat by state and by profession. Here in Ohio, one can check to see if a person is licensed as a physician, or chiropractor, or CPA, or attorney. There may be a few states that do not yet offer this information online. But they are behind the curve.

So is the IRS. And they know it. They just need to catch up.

One issue that came up was the fact that some EAs might not want their home address published in the database that becomes available to the public. So at some point, there was an effort to notify EAs that this database was going to be launched, and to provide an opportunity to update their address of record.

BMK

[Peachie]

Not until next year

Hi Burton,

I phoned TMI yesterday with the same question you have and was told not until next year. Maybe, February or March.

I have seen other companies advertising materials but wanted to wait since TMI said November. It will be later.

Peachie