EA Failing RTRP Test

[Brad Imsdahl]

Well, I do operate this forum, and our rules specifically state no insulting other posters.

To answer the original question: No, an EA will not lose his/her EA credential for failing the RTRP exam. Circular 230 governs the rules for becoming and maintaining EA status, and nothing in Circular 230 says an EA will lose that credential for failing the RTRP exam. The only thing that will happen is the EA cannot add the RTRP credential to his or her name.

As for the reason why an EA would want to become an RTRP, it is no different than why a CPA would want to become an EA, or one of the ACAT credentials offered by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. Multiple credentials help establish that the professional is proficient in several different areas of taxation and accounting. It shows the professional is more skilled and experienced than “minimally competent” paid preparers.

It may be short sighted to criticize an EA or CPA for wanting to add the RTRP credential to his or her name. The IRS is going to be doing some heavy advertising in the near future telling the public they need to hire an RTRP to prepare their taxes. That is free advertising for any of us who have the credential. TheTaxBook will soon be adding an RTRP study guide to help pass the RTRP exam. We encourage all, including EAs and CPAs to study for and pass the RTRP exam. Several of our authors on our writing staff (which includes EAs, CPAs, and Attorneys) have already done so.

[ruthc]

Don't Be Disrespectful

Uncle Sam,
I just started utilizing this forum and hope to continue to receive helpful feedback. I also have worked very hard to pass the EA exam in the 80's. I uphold the EA standards to the highest degree. I have earned the respect of all my clients. I don't have to be a CPA nor an EA to do that. In my opinion, your opinion that people are trying to give "excuses for wanting to accept lower standards" are simply not true and uncalled for. I have read several of your comments (opinions) on other threads concerning people questioning the RTRP designation and EA's. You don't know these people, backgrounds, nor reasons they are asking these questions. Please discontinue being disrespectful and thinking these people are trying to get around the system to prepare returns without the proper credentials.

[Gary2]

Voicing opinions is fine. Reasonable people can disagree.

Impugning the motives of others, or belittling their decisions because they don't match your personal values is not so fine.

For this type of discussion, the best approach is simply to describe your own decision and why, without commenting (directly or through insinuations) on the decisions of others. Nothing in this thread comes anywhere close to an ethical boundary, and thus the choices deserve respect as the individuals' choices.

[Gary2]

RN=Registered Nurse
LVN=Licensed Vocational Nurse

I'm guessing this is a regional distinction. I'm used to seeing LPN for Licensed Practical Nurse, but a quickie web search suggests LPN and LVN are the same concept. I don't know which term is more commonly used nationwide.

[Uncle Sam]

EA/RTRP Test

ruthc - You don't operate this forum either. And I'm entitled to voice my opinion even if it
doesn't agree with yours.

I earned my credentials by adhering to the standards expected of the professional titles I hold - so it hasn't "gotten to my head" like you claim.

I just don't like cheap copout excuses for wanting to accept lower standards once I've
obtained the higher more respectable ones.

[ruthc]

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam,
Do you operate this forum? Please do not try to discourage people from asking questions that you may not like or you may disagree with. Just pass by the thread title without viewing the details or responding to the thread if that will make you happy!!!.

[ruthc]

I agree Gretel!!

Gretel,
Thanks for your response, especially to Uncle Sam. You said it better than I could. I think his credentials are going to his head!
I simply asked a question on this forum hoping to get any feedback from maybe others thinking about taking the test that is an EA.
After reading feedbacks on this, and other forums, it is abovious the answer is not out there yet. I am sure it will be soon.

[WhiteOleander]

What is a LVN? Licensed veterinary nurse?
Could be in Texas I reckon.

RN=Registered Nurse
LVN=Licensed Vocational Nurse

[Gretel]

There is nothing more that gets my goat on this board more than the discussions of
EAs wanting a lower level credential with more restrictions on services they can provide.

Each of us has earned the title of being called Enrolled Agent by virtue of passing the exam - whenever it was - and adhering to the CPE requirements for renewal.

Even those who use the excuse they don't want to take as many CPEs because of being retired or restricted practice conditions, it simply does not make any sense. In those clients who you DO serve, you cannot fully represent them in dealing with IRS due to the RTRP restrictions.
Is your liability insurance going to be dramatically reduced with being an RTRP vs EA?
Are the additional CPE hours (and CPE cost) you must take for the EA license really going to kill you?

Someone - PLEASE - if you don't wish to post on this board - feel free to PM me to explain this.

Just trying to answer some of your questions:

CPE is not an issue for me. I always got plenty more than I needed just for my own peace of mind of providing good service.

I do not have any liability insurance, nor do I do any advertising since long years, so I am not concerned about more exposure.

I am just considering options, I do not have any precise plans to go for the exam. But how could I make an educated decision if I don't know ALL the facts for everything that is important to me? This issue is not as simple as some like to see it. I do not want to argue for or against it with anyone. I don't want to be preached to either. I am doing this enough myself already.

[ChEAr$]

I think it's like a RN taking the test for LVN. They are both nurses, however, the RN is licensed to do more than the LVN. There are a lot more LVNs. But there really is no reason for the RN to take on that title just because the general public is more aware of LVNs.

What is a LVN? Licensed veterinary nurse?
Could be in Texas I reckon.

[Lion]

Risk?

I sure wouldn't risk my EA unless I knew what could happen. What does the new version of Circular 230 state? What does the Office of Professional Responsibility say? What did your local IRS liaison say when you researched the question? What did NAEA tell you? What IRC cites were you given? Why do the people doing this think it's worth the risk?

[Uncle Sam]

EA Failing RTRP Test

There is nothing more that gets my goat on this board more than the discussions of
EAs wanting a lower level credential with more restrictions on services they can provide.

Each of us has earned the title of being called Enrolled Agent by virtue of passing the exam - whenever it was - and adhering to the CPE requirements for renewal.

Even those who use the excuse they don't want to take as many CPEs because of being retired or restricted practice conditions, it simply does not make any sense. In those clients who you DO serve, you cannot fully represent them in dealing with IRS due to the RTRP restrictions.
Is your liability insurance going to be dramatically reduced with being an RTRP vs EA?
Are the additional CPE hours (and CPE cost) you must take for the EA license really going to kill you?

Someone - PLEASE - if you don't wish to post on this board - feel free to PM me to explain this.

[Gretel]

Back to the original question, which is a very valid question, I never thought of. I am an EA and considering taken the exam for reasons of my own, which I do not wish to expose. I am sure everyone has their owns reasons. These reason is none of the business of anyone else.

I do not want to be subject to all the judgments already displayed. What is so difficult in trying to answer a question and stay away, if you don't know? I still can understand saying something like: It's beyond me why an EA or CPA would want to do this. But if one cannot hold the tongue than that should be the end of the story.

I don't think this question has an answer (yet) but it sure makes me cautious. I never, ever want to go through the EA exams again. I actually believe being submerged into "too much" practice makes it more difficult to pass an exam that comes mainly from theory. Some people are better at this than others, which doesn't say a d... thing about their quality of work.

[taxjungle]

EA Failing RTRP Test

I am an EA, but I am considering reading the 2012 Wiley Registered Tax Return Preparer Exam Review without taking the RTRP test by the IRS. My reason being simply as a Review of basic tax law, especially in areas that I may not prepare returns for every year. I think the book is only $60 and includes quizzes. The book will be available sometime this month wherever books
are sold.

Of course there is no CPE credits just for reading the book and taking it's little quizzes, but that's OK with me.

[WhiteOleander]

I think it's like a RN taking the test for LVN. They are both nurses, however, the RN is licensed to do more than the LVN. There are a lot more LVNs. But there really is no reason for the RN to take on that title just because the general public is more aware of LVNs.