Standing Strong in a Changing System

As enrolled agents (EAs), you are more than tax preparers – you are critical players in the nation’s tax administration system. Your work supports compliance, eases taxpayer burdens, and upholds the integrity of the tax code. In a time of rapid transformation within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your role has never been more important.

The IRS is navigating a significant period of change. Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the loss of seasoned personnel have left gaps in institutional knowledge and operational efficiency. These shifts can create uncertainty for taxpayers and tax professionals alike, but they also create an opportunity for enrolled agents to lead.

With your deep understanding of tax law, commitment to ethical standards, and experience working directly with taxpayers, EAs are uniquely positioned to offer valuable insight into what works and needs improvement. You see firsthand where processes break down, where communication could improve, and where modernization efforts should focus.

At the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), we’re making sure your voice is heard. We are actively engaging with the IRS and other stakeholders to advocate for smart, effective changes that improve the system—not just for the agency but also for practitioners and taxpayers alike. We’re pushing for investments in taxpayer service, clearer guidance, and more efficient resolution pathways—all areas where EAs can and should have a seat at the table.

But advocacy isn’t just what we do on your behalf. It’s something you can be part of, too. Staying informed prevents the EA community from being the last to know.

One of the best ways for you to get involved is to develop a relationship with your federal, state, and local legislators, not only does it help educate policy and decision makers about what enrolled agents are, but also the unique experience and expertise that you can provide them when they are evaluating tax law and regulatory changes. Get plugged in with your local NAEA chapter or state EA society. This is often your best source for real-time insights that are impacting practitioners around you, and makes you more informed should you wish to participate in advocacy-related activities with the NAEA.

But whether you participate in NAEA’s fly-ins, respond to comment opportunities, or simply stay informed and engaged to support your clients, your voice matters. When you speak collectively as EAs, you bring powerful, practical expertise to the conversation. The impact can be that much greater by working at all levels of government.

This is a pivotal time in the history of tax administration. It’s also a moment of opportunity. Don’t just be aware – be involved. Together, we can help shape a smarter, fairer, more effective IRS – one that reflects the insight and experience of the professionals who work with it every day.