[Anonymous]

I try to fill out an application from IRS website to obtain a PTIN to take the EA exam. However, I stuck on a part where asks me for the business information. Is that the part where I have to fill in my current employment information? Isn’t okay that my current employment is not related to any tax filing entities?

[Anonymous]

I think you might have to add additional info. Are you a CPA? If so, you don't need employer information to obtain a PTIN. If you are not a CPA, you have two options to obtain a PTIN: (1) You must be a “supervised preparer” and enter your CPA certified supervisor's PTIN. or (2) You must pass a tax proficiency test administered by the IRS. I personally ran into a snag when obtaining a PTIN. The IRS software just kept telling me that I hadn't entered my supervisor's information even though I had entered it over and over. I finally figured out that I was clicking “next” when I was supposed to click “enter” or “submit” or something like that and then click “next.” It shouldn't be a huge surprise that the IRS isn't user friendly though huh?

Note: Lawyers can obtain PTINs as well but CPAs are much cooler. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I think you might have to add additional info. Are you a CPA? If so, you don't need employer information to obtain a PTIN. If you are not a CPA, you have two options to obtain a PTIN: (1) You must be a “supervised preparer” and enter your CPA certified supervisor's PTIN. or (2) You must pass a tax proficiency test administered by the IRS. I personally ran into a snag when obtaining a PTIN. The IRS software just kept telling me that I hadn't entered my supervisor's information even though I had entered it over and over. I finally figured out that I was clicking “next” when I was supposed to click “enter” or “submit” or something like that and then click “next.” It shouldn't be a huge surprise that the IRS isn't user friendly though huh?

Note: Lawyers can obtain PTINs as well but CPAs are much cooler. 🙂

[Anonymous]

@BillfromAccounting

I passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam, but still a CPA candidate, in the progress of working experience fulfillment.

When you said pass a tax proficiency test administered by the IRS, do you mean the Enrolled Agent exam?

I am going to take that EA exam, but it requires me to obtain a PTIN.

When I try to obtain a PTIN via the IRS website, I got into a part where asks me to fill in the “business information,” which I do not own a business. Should I just enter the current employer information?

[Anonymous]

@BillfromAccounting

I passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam, but still a CPA candidate, in the progress of working experience fulfillment.

When you said pass a tax proficiency test administered by the IRS, do you mean the Enrolled Agent exam?

I am going to take that EA exam, but it requires me to obtain a PTIN.

When I try to obtain a PTIN via the IRS website, I got into a part where asks me to fill in the “business information,” which I do not own a business. Should I just enter the current employer information?

[Anonymous]

I might not be the best to speak on this but I'm guessing that business info is prompting for your business. Since you do not own a business, will the system let you leave it blank? If you are taking the enrolled agent exam, you are essentially obtaining a PTIN on your own credentials. What I mean is that your employment situation is irrelevant. Just keep trying until it works. It took me getting locked out of the IRS system every day for about two weeks before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I might not be the best to speak on this but I'm guessing that business info is prompting for your business. Since you do not own a business, will the system let you leave it blank? If you are taking the enrolled agent exam, you are essentially obtaining a PTIN on your own credentials. What I mean is that your employment situation is irrelevant. Just keep trying until it works. It took me getting locked out of the IRS system every day for about two weeks before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. Good luck.

[Skynet]

I just put my own personal address to get around it. No biggie.

You can always change it later if you have to.

[Skynet]

I just put my own personal address to get around it. No biggie.

You can always change it later if you have to.

[Anonymous]

@BillfromAccounting

No, it won't allow me to skip. It has an * next to it.

[Anonymous]

@BillfromAccounting

No, it won't allow me to skip. It has an * next to it.

[Anonymous]

@Skynet

Maybe I try your suggestion. I want to reg an EA exam on May.

[Anonymous]

@Skynet

Maybe I try your suggestion. I want to reg an EA exam on May.

[Skynet]

@bbmak – Were you able to get through using y suggestion?

FYI, make sure that you take the EA exam in order of Individual, Business, and Representation. Individual is actually the most difficult of the three with Representation being the easiest.

[Skynet]

@bbmak – Were you able to get through using y suggestion?

FYI, make sure that you take the EA exam in order of Individual, Business, and Representation. Individual is actually the most difficult of the three with Representation being the easiest.

[Anonymous]

@Skynet

Thank for your suggestion and the tips.

I am currently working. So I am unable to try it now. I will do that after I got home.

And, yes. I am taking the exams with this order.

[Author]

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