- quote -

No, you do not need to be an EA or an attorney to prepare
returns, but what fun is just preparing returns? The real
good times begin when you can represent TP's. This is why
one would want to be an EA. I will become an attorney, but
studying for the bar is much more difficult. This is not to
say that it won't be a challenge to learn a whole bunch of
tax, but when studying for the bar, one has to learn things
that one might not be as interested in. I think its safe to
assume that I must be interested in tax if I am on this
group! :-)

Jennifer DeBoer

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Arthur L. Rubin wrote:

- quote -

And I agree as well.

Stu

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Harlan Lunsford wrote:
- quote -

No tax questions at all. Tax used to be on the Cal bar, but
it was eliminated many years ago.

- quote -

I agree. I'm not talking about whether lawyers should do
returns.

Stu

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Harlan Lunsford wrote:
- quote -

I think I would rephrase...once you pass the bar you are
permitted to practice before the IRS. I wouldn't go so
far as to state that all who pass the bar are qualified
to practice LAW, not to mention qualified to prepare tax
returns.

(The second sentence of the last paragraph was run by
an associate of mine who is a lawyer -- she agrees.)

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"Stuart Bronstein" <spamtrap[at]lexregia.com> wrote:
- quote -

I wasn't aware you needed either to PREPARE tax returns.

--
David M. Woods, EA, ChFC, CLU
Woods Financial Services
Norwood, MA 02062
www.woods-financial.com

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Yes, once you are an attorney you don't have to take a test
to appear before IRS and its many agents, but which do you
think is easier to pass and study for, the bar or the
enrolled agent exam...hmmm? <grin
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Stuart Bronstein wrote:
- quote -

Good grief! That's certainly not my understanding.

Actually I must say however, that I don't know what is on
the bar exam. Does it contain tax related questions? Are
they multiple choice, true/false, essay questions?

The majority of tax advice that local lawyers have given my
clients, and former clients, has been abysmal (read
inaccurate.)

Example, former client spent weekends up at the lake cabin
fixing it up for selling it. Lawyer told him he could add
value of his time to cost, also all those property taxes he
had paid over the years (during which time he HAD been
deducting them on schedules a), plus mileage EVERY weekend
since owning the property.

Other local lawyers have no ideas as to what's taxable or not.

HOWEVER; I do know a couple of pretty good tax lawyers.

The SEE, or the exam for those wishing to become Enrolled
Agents, is not one designed to test someone's expertise in
preparing tax returns, rather to make sure the one who
passes is qualified, like CPA's and lawyers to represent
taxpayers before all levels of the IRS.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA
Fri 21 Jan 2005

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"Jennifer D" <best_scrivener[at]yahoo.com> wrote in news:10ut2nehi4luoa7

- quote -

There are also a number of study guide systems you can
purchase and use to prepare. I used the Gleim study guides,
book and CD, and passed all four tests this past year on my
first try. Depends on how you best learn; I do much better
slogging through on my own rather than sitting through a
class series.

Catherine

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"Jennifer D" <best_scrivener[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

Take the bar and you won't need to take the EA exam..
attorney's and CPA's do not need to take an exam to practice
before the IRS.

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Jennifer D wrote:

- quote -

My understanding is that once you pass the bar you are
qualified to do tax returns without having to pass the EA
exam.

Stu

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Thanks for the heads up on the new format! Yes, study,
study, study. I have had a lot of this before...but not all
of it. I graduated from law school in 2000. I haven't sat
for the bar, yet...I will, though. I have also taken MTax
classes. They were a bit painful, in my opinion. Most of
the profs who weren't attorneys didn't dig deep in the cases
which was a bit frustrating. So, yes, studying the old tests
is good advice. Thanks.

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- quote -

2005 is supposed to be the last year the SEE is given
in the current format. And after 2005, we hope it
will be given via computer more than once a year.

If you want to pass, just memorize all the IRS pubs. <GBut really, get the kit that was suggested, and if you
have the IRS CD for this year, start studying the pubs.
Circ 230 has a very small part in the test. All the
old tests are available on the IRS website, so you can
get a look at them. I don't know if the Ohio Society
offers a class, but you can check by linking to them
via the NAEA website (www.naea.org) (National Association
of Enrolled Agents). Normally NAEA gives one too, last
year it was right after the tax forum in Las Vegas.

Good luck!
Helen, EA in PA

Director, NAEA; Immediate Past President, PSEA; Tax Expert, AOL
Enrolled Agents - THE Tax Professionals

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"Jennifer D" <best_scrivener[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

IRS reports that they are changing the format of the 2005
Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) to become an Enrolled
Agent. They say they will post information later this year
on that new format. I suggest you go to http://www.irs.gov
and click on Enrolled Agents and get past copies of the exam
and study them. You can have IRS send you study materials
also. Check it out on their website. Good luck in your
effort!

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

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I will be taking the 2005 Enrolled Agent exam. I am
reviewing Circular 230...all 84 pages of it! Ugh! Am I
going crazy or does it appear that this exam is only offered
once a year? WOW. That is crazy! I am a licensed Realtor
and Title Agent in Ohio. One can sign up to take these
tests at any time through Experior. I guess on the bright
side, there will be a lot of time to study.

If any one has words of wisdom for studying for this exam, I
would love to hear them!

Tax Cents LLC
Jennifer DeBoer
New Philadelphia, Ohio

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