Part 3 of 3

Representation, Practices & Procedures

Master Circular 230, IRS procedures, and professional standards with scenario-based practice tests and official references.

100

Questions

3.5 hrs

Time limit

70–75%

Pass rate

60–80

Study hours

Exam content

What's covered in Part 3

Addresses Circular 230, IRS practices and procedures, representation before the IRS, and taxpayer rights.

Practices & Procedures

Circular 230 rules, practitioner duties, penalties, and professional standards.

    Representation Before IRS

    Power of attorney, audits, appeals, collection procedures, and taxpayer advocacy.

      Study topics

      Featured study topics

      Critical concepts for representing taxpayers before the IRS

      Appeals Process: IRS Appeals Process

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:IRS Publication 5+1 more

      Understanding irs appeals process is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      Circular 230: Circular 230 — Best Practices & Standards

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:Circular 230 §10.33+3 more

      Understanding circular 230 — best practices & standards is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      Circular 230: Circular 230 — Duties & Restrictions

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:Circular 230 §10.20+11 more

      Understanding circular 230 — duties & restrictions is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      Circular 230: Circular 230 — Sanctions & Disciplinary

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:Circular 230 §10.50+10 more

      Understanding circular 230 — sanctions & disciplinary is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      Circular 230: Circular 230 — Who May Practice

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:Circular 230 §10.3+2 more

      Understanding circular 230 — who may practice is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      EA Enrollment: EA Enrollment, Renewal & CE

      Practices & Procedures

      Difficulty:easy – medium – hard
      Source:Circular 230 §10.4+3 more

      Understanding ea enrollment, renewal & ce is essential for the EA exam. This topic includes official IRS guidance and real-world applications.

      Plus 21 more topics covering all of Part 3

      Key concepts

      Essential Part 3 concepts

      Circular 230

      Treasury Department Circular No. 230 governs practice before the IRS. Covers who may practice, duties and restrictions, best practices, and disciplinary procedures. Critical understanding of practitioner standards and ethical requirements.

      Powers of Attorney (Form 2848)

      Authority to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Includes scope of representation, limitations, revocation procedures, and differences from Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization).

      IRS Examination Process

      Audit procedures, taxpayer rights during examination, documentation requirements, and statute of limitations. Includes correspondence audits, office audits, and field audits.

      Collection Procedures

      IRS collection processes including installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently not collectible status, levies, liens, and collection due process hearings. Essential for taxpayer advocacy.

      Penalty Abatement

      Reasonable cause criteria for penalty relief, first-time abatement, statutory exceptions, and administrative waivers. Includes accuracy-related penalties, failure to file, and failure to pay penalties.

      Taxpayer Rights

      Taxpayer Bill of Rights including the right to be informed, right to quality service, right to appeal, and right to representation. Understanding these rights is fundamental to effective taxpayer advocacy.

      Official sources

      IRS resources for Part 3

      Circular 230 — Regulations Governing Practice Before the IRS

      Official regulations for tax practitioners (60+ pages)

      IRS Publication 1 — Your Rights as a Taxpayer

      Taxpayer Bill of Rights and IRS procedures

      IRS Publication 556 — Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights

      Comprehensive guide to audits and appeals process

      IRS Publication 594 — The IRS Collection Process

      Detailed information on collection procedures and taxpayer options

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