IRS letter help
Finding an enrolled agent
You want an enrolled agent to help you answer an IRS notice.
An enrolled agent is licensed by the IRS and can represent you on any IRS matter, including collection and appeals.
Check any enrolled agent for free on the IRS verification page, then call us if you want a licensed tax professional.
Which numbers matter?
Form 2848
The person named on this form is the one who speaks to the IRS for you.
Ask who will sign your Form 2848 and when they will file it.
$205
The IRS charges its own fee for an offer, apart from what your agent charges.
Treat the $205 as separate from the fee your enrolled agent quotes you.
Help choosing who answers your notice
The deadline on your IRS notice keeps running from the date on the letter while you search for an enrolled agent.
A licensed tax professional can read your notice, file Form 2848 and answer the IRS for you.
Call now and talk through your notice before you sign with anyone.
Call 855-964-5291What happens when you call
- You call during business hours and say which letter or bill you have.
- A licensed tax professional asks for the date, the amount and the tax years on the letter.
- You hear your options for this notice and decide what to do. Nothing is filed without your yes.
A licensed tax professional answers, not the IRS. The call costs nothing, and you give up nothing by calling. IRS Code Lookup is a private tax help service.
Would you rather send your notice details?
The code and date on your notice show which kind of help fits your case.
A licensed tax professional can then tell you if an enrolled agent, CPA or attorney suits it.
What changed recently?
Since June 2, 2026, the FTC and Nevada have had a proposed settlement order against the operators of American Tax Service. It imposes a $77.7 million judgment, suspended except about $8 million, and bans them from debt relief and tax preparation.
Source: FTC and Nevada settlement with tax relief operators (June 2, 2026).
Do I need one?
An EA fits most notice problems: a CP2000 you disagree with, a levy notice, a payment plan over the online limit, or an offer in compromise. They earn the license by passing a three-part IRS exam or through past IRS work, per the IRS enrolled agent page.
What does it cost?
EAs set their own fees. Ask what work is included and get the price in writing. IRS fees are separate: a direct-debit plan costs $29 online, and an offer application generally costs $205.
Which do I need: an attorney, an enrolled agent or a company?
Pick an attorney when the case may end up in court. Pick an EA for IRS-only work. A relief company should name the EA, CPA or attorney who will actually sign your Form 2848. Our relief companies page lists the FTC's red flags.
What should I ask before I hire?
- Can I see your enrollment card or number?
- Have you handled my notice type, by code, this year?
- What is the fee, and does it include calls with the IRS?
- When will you file Form 2848?
What are the red flags?
Check that the license is current with the IRS enrolled agent verification page, or the directory of preparers with credentials. Walk away from anyone who promises a result or will not put the fee in writing.
What should you read next?
Questions people ask
What can an enrolled agent do?
Represent you before the IRS on any matter, including audits, collection and appeals.
How do I verify an enrolled agent?
Use the IRS enrolled agent verification page or its directory of preparers with credentials.
Is an enrolled agent the same as a CPA?
No, but both have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. EAs are licensed by the IRS; CPAs by their state.
Can an enrolled agent go to Tax Court?
Tax Court has its own admission rules. For a court case, ask about it directly or use an attorney.
Sources
- Enrolled agent information. Published by irs.gov.
- Verify the status of an enrolled agent. Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding tax return preparer credentials and qualifications. Published by irs.gov.
- Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. Published by irs.treasury.gov.
- FTC and Nevada settlement with tax relief operators (June 2, 2026). Published by ftc.gov.
Last checked October 2026
What to do now
- Write down the code and the date printed on your IRS notice.
- Check the agent's status on the IRS enrolled agent verification page.
- Get the fee and the work it covers in writing.
- Ask for the name on your Form 2848 before you pay anything.
Call now and talk through your notice before you sign with anyone.
A licensed tax professional answers, not the IRS. The call costs nothing, and you give up nothing by calling. IRS Code Lookup is a private tax help service.