Who is authorized to prepare returns, provide tax advice, and represent taxpayers in examinations and collection matters when authorized?

• A. Enrolled Agent or CPA before the IRS.
• B. Only tax attorneys.
• C. Bank loan officers.
• D. Tax auditors.

Answer: (A)

The ability to prepare returns, give tax advice, and represent taxpayers in IRS examinations and collection matters is limited to professionals who are authorized to practice before the IRS. Enrolled Agents and CPAs are federally authorized to do this, and they may represent taxpayers before the IRS when authorized. Bank loan officers and tax auditors don’t have practice rights before the IRS, so they aren’t eligible to represent taxpayers. While tax attorneys are also authorized to represent before the IRS, the option that names Enrolled Agent or CPA before the IRS correctly reflects the standard authorized categories.