Welcome to Tax Specialists of Northern Colorado LLC: Tax Preparation and Planning Services

The Tax Specialists of Northern Colorado LLC is a year-round, full-service income tax preparation business including payroll and bookkeeping servicing all of northern Colorado, including Loveland, Fort Collins, Berthoud, Johnstown, and surrounding areas.

We have twelve income tax preparers, ten of whom are Enrolled Agents (EA). The EA title means that the preparer has passed multiple exams that designate him or her to practice before the IRS. An Enrolled Agent can represent you at the audit if you are audited.

We have nearly 200 combined years of experience preparing individual income taxes as well as business tax returns, estates, trusts, and nonprofits. We provide services for individuals, self-employed taxpayers, families, homeowners, and students and are experienced with investment income tax issues, Subchapter-S Corporations, partnerships, and estates.

What Does the Term “Enrolled Agent” Mean?

An enrolled agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels – examination, collection, and appeals – of the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to taxpayer representation, enrolled agents often provide tax consultation services and prepare a wide range of federal and state tax returns. The history of Enrolled Agents dates back to 1884, when Congress authorized the Enabling Act of 1884. Congress recognized a need to regulate individuals representing citizens dealing with the Treasury Department about their claims against the U.S. This act gave the Secretary of the Treasury the authority to control who could represent these individuals.

Tax representation — Loveland, CO — Tax Specialists of Northern Colorado LLC

What about EA’s?

Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS office they can represent clients before.

There are two paths to becoming an EA. After working for the IRS for five years, an agent can become an EA without passing an examination. To become an EA without working for the IRS, one must pass a thorough background check and a three-part exam. Enrolled agents specialize in their knowledge of the tax code and tax matters. An EA must know all of the ins and outs of income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, and payroll tax. The continuing professional education required for an EA is seventy-two hours every three years. Unlike a CPA, whose continuing education will cover a wide range of accounting and tax matters, an EAs education will focus solely on taxation and tax ethics.

The examinations required for an EA are:

Part 1 – Individual (a four-hour proctored exam exclusively on the tax code for individuals)
Part 2 – Business (a four-hour proctored exam exclusively on the tax code for business entities)
Part 3 – Representation, Practice, and Procedures (a four-hour proctored exam primarily on Circular 230, the Treasury Department guide for practicing before the IRS.)

When Enrolled Agents take their required continuing professional education (CPE), which consists of 72 hours every three years (more if they are NAEA members), it must be 100% in taxation and the ethics of taxation.

In other words, Enrolled Agents are the nation’s only solely dedicated tax professionals. Learn more about enrolled agents in Treasury Department Circular 230 (PDF).

Be wise. Seek tax advice from a tax professional and accounting help from an accountant. Call us today for tax assistance at 970-667-8300.