Barry G. Fowler, EA, leading expert in tax resolution issues and CEO of Taxation Solutions, reveals an IRS change that will prevent paid tax preparers from providing IRS representation for their clients unless they are Enrolled Agents, CPAs or tax attorneys.

Houston, TX – August 27, 2015 – Barry G. Fowler, CEO of Taxation Solutions, posted a new blog on the company website entitled “The IRS Rules Have Changed for 2016. Only a Certified EA, Tax Attorney or CPA Can Represent Taxpayers.” According to Fowler, it would appear that as long as there are no issues, your longtime family friend and accountant, can still prepare and file your taxes. But at the first whiff of an IRS audit, he cannot represent you even if he’s been preparing your taxes for years and you did pay him.

As Fowler writes, “With more than half of U.S. taxpayers relying on paid tax preparers to prepare and file their taxes and represent them if they should be targeted for an audit, it is important to note that 60% of the paid tax return preparers do not have any kind of professional licenses or credentials.” He continues adding, “This is significant due to the recent changes in the IRS tax code law that as of January 1, 2016, requires any person representing a taxpayer at the IRS to be qualified according IRS specifications.”

As confusing as it may be, according to Fowler, “If the person or firm who does your taxes is not or does not have someone on staff who is a CPA, an EA or an attorney and you need representation at the IRS, you will have to seek the services of someone who did not prepare your taxes.”

“Your best and safest bet”, says Fowler, “is to always work with a firm that only hires qualified Enrolled Agents (EAs), CPAs and attorneys.”

The entire blog can be read at http://www.taxationsolutions.net/the-irs-rules-have-changed-for-2016-only-a-certified-ea-tax-attorney-or-cpa-can-represent-taxpayers/

About Barry G. Fowler, EA

Barry G. Fowler founded Taxation Solutions out of a genuine concern for the IRS issues his clients face, many of whom are self-employed, contract employees, or entrepreneurs. For his contributions to his profession and expertise in tax resolution and financial planning, Fowler has been featured as one of America’s Trendsetters on CBS and Yahoo, and as a Premier Expert in Inc. Magazine. He has been instrumental in helping hundreds of people resolve complex tax issues with the IRS.

Fowler is licensed to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and is a longstanding member of several tax industry professional organizations: NAEA, NATP, TSEA, ASTPS.