Dealing with the IRS is never easy—especially when you’re facing back taxes, penalties, or mounting interest you can’t afford to pay. Many taxpayers, unsure of how to proceed, attempt to negotiate with the IRS on their own and end up overwhelmed, under-informed, and pressured into payment plans they simply can’t sustain.

If you’re in this situation, hiring professional representation is a smart move. But which kind of expert should you trust with something as serious as your financial future? Many turn to Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or tax attorneys, but there’s another option that may be a better fit: working with an Enrolled Agent (EA)—particularly one with IRS experience.

What Is an Enrolled Agent?

An Enrolled Agent is a federally licensed tax professional authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent individuals and businesses before the IRS. Unlike CPAs and attorneys, whose practices often cover a wide range of accounting or legal areas, enrolled agents specialize in tax resolution and IRS representation.

At Tax Resolution Services, our enrolled agents bring an unmatched edge: many of them are former IRS Revenue Officers who have firsthand knowledge of how the IRS operates internally. This unique background gives our team the insight needed to resolve your case more effectively and efficiently than traditional professionals who haven’t worked inside the system.

How Enrolled Agents Compare to CPAs and Tax Attorneys

When selecting IRS representation, it’s important to understand the differences between these three types of professionals.

  • CPAs are accounting experts who often focus on preparing tax returns, managing business finances, and conducting audits. While they may help with tax issues, they are not necessarily trained in direct IRS negotiations or collections defense.
  • Tax attorneys are legal professionals who can represent clients in civil or criminal tax court cases. They are ideal for complex legal battles, especially where tax fraud or evasion is involved. However, their services can be costly, and their focus may not be exclusively on resolving tax debt.
  • Enrolled agents, especially those who are former IRS employees, work directly with taxpayers to negotiate payment plans, submit offers in compromise, request penalty abatements, and pursue other resolution strategies. They are often more affordable than attorneys and more IRS-focused than CPAs.

Our team focuses exclusively on tax debt resolution and compliance—not general accounting or law. We don’t juggle court cases, audits, or bankruptcy filings. We zero in on solving your tax problem using the options the IRS is most likely to approve.

What Sets Our Enrolled Agents Apart

The biggest difference between our enrolled agents and other tax professionals is experience—IRS experience. Our firm is led by David and Gerald Yarborough, both former IRS Revenue Officers who understand the agency’s systems and mindset.

That inside perspective means we know:

  • What documentation the IRS actually looks for
  • How to avoid common mistakes that can delay or derail your case
  • Which resolution options are most likely to succeed
  • When and how to escalate communications to get results

We take a proactive approach from day one, reaching out to the IRS on your behalf and crafting customized solutions based on your situation. We know how to speak the IRS’s language—and how to push for the best possible outcome.

The Pitfalls of Choosing the Wrong Representation

While CPAs and tax attorneys can play important roles, their broad focus may not be the best fit if you’re strictly looking for IRS debt relief. For example:

  • A CPA might recommend a course of action that makes accounting sense but doesn’t solve your immediate IRS problem.
  • A tax attorney might focus on legal solutions like bankruptcy, even when more practical IRS settlement programs are available.
  • Some may not understand IRS collections protocols, appeal rights, or the nuances of federal tax enforcement timelines.

We’ve helped countless clients in Charlotte and nationwide who first sought help from local CPAs or tax attorneys—only to discover they needed the specialized skills of an enrolled agent who works exclusively on IRS debt resolution.

Showing the IRS You Mean Business

Hiring an enrolled agent from Tax Resolution Services sends a clear message to the IRS: you’re taking your tax problem seriously. The IRS often views professional representation as a sign that a taxpayer is motivated to comply and resolve their debt, making them more likely to work with you rather than pursue aggressive enforcement.

Whether your tax issue stems from self-employment missteps, underpayment of estimated taxes, or unexpected life circumstances like medical emergencies or job loss, we’re here to help—not to judge.

Ready to Resolve Your IRS Debt?

You don’t have to face the IRS alone—or pay more than you can afford. With Tax Resolution Services, you’ll work with former IRS agents who know how to negotiate, reduce, and resolve your tax debt using legal, proven strategies.

To find out how we can help, contact us today for a free case evaluation or call 704-727-2709. Let’s talk about how to protect your future—and get you back on track.