DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO REPRESENT YOU BEFORE THE IRS?
Barbara Rybicka-Butkiewicz is an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service.
WHAT IS AN ENROLLED AGENT? An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of practicing, that is, REPRESENTING TAXPAYERS, BEFORE THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can practice before.

TAX REPRESENTATION ISN’T ONLY NECESSARY IF THE IRS IS TRYING TO KNOCK DOWN YOUR DOOR. There are many instances when an enrolled agent can greatly benefit you and help you through a difficult or complex situation. From audits to business to complex deductions, finding quality tax representation can help save you money and in some cases, even keep you out of jail. Here are few instances when you need to have a professional represent you:

AUDIT
That word can strike fear into anyone and can cause incredible amounts of stress, anxiety, and pressure for all of those involved. If you find yourself facing an audit, start gathering all of your receipts and paperwork immediately and consider getting some tax representation. Remember that you got yourself into this situation in the first place, so do you really trust yourself to dig out on your own?

DEDUCTIONS
If this is your first complex tax return, or you have greatly increased the amount of deductions you have, tax representation may be the best route to go to ensure you get your full entitlement. Many people have fairly straightforward tax returns with few deductions, exemptions, and other complexities. However, as you move up in your career or even open your own business, you may notice these are becoming increasingly complicated. Making a mistake can also cost you a substantial portion of a refund, or worse-an audit.

BUSINESS
If you are starting a new business or restructuring an old one, tax representation can help you get your finances and paperwork in order. Deductions, employee tax, income, expenses-these are all things that you have to juggle, organize, and understand when building a business. Rules are also constantly changing, which is where tax representation can come in handy.

FRAUD OR INVESTIGATION
Okay, nobody is perfect, and sometimes people get caught for cheating on their taxes. Even worse than an audit, if you are under investigation or accused of tax fraud you will need a tax representation to help you through the process. Choose someone with many years of experience and who understands your position.