This post explains the dangers of not properly using the CSED and the trouble it can cause for your client. It also explains how to avoid it

"Are there any updates? "This isn't what you promised." "I gave you my paperwork yesterday, when will it be ready?" Timalyn in an office with a client. I wish it weren't true but I have actually received all the above statements from clients. Why? Because I did a poor job of managing my client's expectations. I did communicate the process clearly nor hold them accountable to my expectations. I also made exceptions for when they crossed lines and boundaries. For example, if so

When you start a business or launch a new service offering you are eager to help everyone that you possibly can. We take on work that we can't manage alone because it is not easily identifiable. If you are reading this you are probably fairly new to doing tax representation work. Tax representation is a unique service offering. The workflow and communication process is much different than tax preparation. Understanding the journey that a taxpayer goes through is key to creat

How much should I charge? This is a common question I get from tax professionals, new and seasoned. I also see it in various tax groups when it comes to tax preparation and tax representation. But I get it. It took me a while to become comfortable with my tax representation prices. That allowed me to be confident in quoting clients and delivering value. Today I'm going to walk you through the process I use to price a tax representation case. Note, that this is a framework. Wh

The Enrolled Agent license is the highest designation that the IRS awards tax professionals. But what does that mean in plain English?...

When you receive your EA license you become one of America's tax experts, according to the National Association of Enrolled Agents . But the license doesn't make you the expert. The knowledge you gain by helping clients makes you the expert. So if you're feeling like an imposter now, don't worry we'll get you helping people in no time. Check out last week's article to learn how to get your first tax representation client . But what do you do once they start reaching out? You'

One of the biggest impediments I see for Enrolled Agents is not knowing how to get their first tax representation client. If they allow it, it causes anxiety and then analysis paralysis. Being concerned with not knowing how to get clients can make you not do any work toward learning your craft. Not knowing how to represent clients can make you not put in the work to market yourself and get clients. See how that can become a vicious cycle? Are you stuck in it right now? If so,

Nobody is above making mistakes, especially in this tax business. However, it is my goal to help as many Enrolled Agents as I can avoid some of the mistakes that I have made in my career. If you're currently making the mistakes I made I hope that my transparency helps you stop. Last week I had to deal with a nightmare client. I shared this with my community. After reflecting I realized that the client had become a nightmare because I allowed it. Today I'm going to share with

For the past 4 weeks or so I have been going live each week on LinkedIn and Facebook to give insight into being an Enrolled Agent. Before...

When you become a tax professional you have more decisions to make than what you may realize. If you're reading this you are most likely an Enrolled Agent and looking for guidance on your career path. Some of the decisions you need to make are who will you serve, why, and how. Last week we began determining some of those things. If you missed that article or podcast you can still check them out. Getting them said aloud as well as written down with confidence is what we are w

James Madison - Father of the Constitution Michael Jackson - King of Pop Henrietta Lacks - the Mother of Modern Medicine Then we have you. Who are you? What imprint will you leave on your sphere of influence in the world? Oxford Dictionary gives this as one of the definitions of legacy: something that somebody has done successfully and that has positive effects even after they die or retire. You're here reading this right now because you are a tax professional. Not only that

Analysis paralysis gets the best of us at one time or another. I see it all too often with my fellow Enrolled Agents after they pass the...

A question I often get is, "what exactly is tax representation?" Initially I would think to myself," what? How do you not know?" But...

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently sending 5-8 million CP14 notices to taxpayers. Earlier in the year they announced that...

Tax day for 2023 is April 18th, 2023. Not only is your tax return due on this date, but if you have a balance it is also due on this date

I was born during the late 80s. During that time it was popular for people to buy savings bonds for children. It was an investment into...

Save on your taxes and save for retirement. That's the advantage I hear people share when promoting a 401(k). It sounds good but it is...

Do you know how much money you need in retirement to maintain the lifestyle that you currently live? Are you on track with your savings...

The failure to pay penalty is a penalty assessed by the IRS to taxpayers for not paying their tax bill by the filing deadline. The...

Forosophobia is the fear of taxes and the IRS. I read an article about this fear in Psychology Today. As I was reading the article I...