Disaster Services and Preparedness – Some tips to prepare yourself in case of a major disaster, casualty, or theft.

Helpful Tax Links – Links to tax forms (extensions, schedules, etc…) and other helpful information

History of US Taxes (39k Adobe PDF)
Informational material about how the US Tax laws came to be as they are today.

History of EA’s(13k Adobe PDF)
Informational material about Enrolled Agents and how they came to be.

Things to Consider When Selecting an Enrolled Agent

Enrolled Agents (EA’s) are professional tax practitioners licensed by the U.S. Department of Treasury to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service.

EA’s differ from other tax professionals because they are the only practitioners who are required to demonstrate competence specifically in matters of taxation. They are the only taxpayer representatives who receive that right from the U.S. government, rather than from individual states.

When selecting an EA, you should consider the following:

Check the license status with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) at 313/234-1280 or email opr@irs.gov . Make sure the license is current and inquire whether there have been any disciplinary actions against the EA.

Ask if the EA is a Member of the Oregon Society of Enrolled Agents (OrSEA).

Ask how long the EA has been licensed.

Ask if the EA is current with their continuing professional education (CPE). (Office of Professional Responsibility requires 72 hours/3 years; minimum 16 hours/year and OrSEA Members are required to take 30 hours/year).

Interview the prospective EA either by telephone or in person. Compare their experience and expertise with your needs.

Ask about the office hours of the EA; determine whether the office is open year-round; inquire what other services the EA offers; inquire how the EA communicates with clients (email, phone, or fax), and ask whether the EA is available to take phone inquires.

Before any work is done by the EA, it is important to make certain that you receive an engagement letter detailing the work to be performed for you, who will specifically be performing the work, and the cost of the services.