Discussion:Frustrating, although kinda embarassing
From TaxAlmanac
Discussion Forum Index --> Basic Tax Questions --> Frustrating, although kinda embarassing
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Frustrating, although kinda embarassing
| 3 January 2008 | |
| I can't locate my EA number... ya know that 9-digit number where the first four digits are the year of first enrollment?
I called the practitioner priority line. They referred me to e-services. I called e-services. They referred me back to the practitioner priority line and also gave me a number to call in area code 313 (Detroit?) where selecting the option to speak to a representative sends me to a ring-forever situation. Does anyone have any better ideas? | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 3 January 2008 |
| If you are an NAEA member, the last five are on your membership card. | |
| 3 January 2008 | |
| do you have your certificate of enrollment? (hint: it should be framed on your wall) | |
| 3 January 2008 | |
| Problem Solved!!!!
I finally got through to the IRS Detroit Computing Center, the EPPS (?) organization. The phone was finally picked up after 273 rings and the IRS person faxed me a copy of my card. If anyone has a similar number call 313-234-1280 but expect to wait. I had tried to guess/remember my EA number but it turns out I wasn't close. | |
| 3 January 2008 | |
| If you have ever done a power of attorney, it would be there. The first four numbers are just the year of renewal and don't mean anything else. It is the last five that count. | |
| 4 January 2008 | |
| Newtax: no wonder I can never get hold of anyone at the Federal Building here in Atlanta, I have never thought of waiting for 273 rings! | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 4 January 2008 |
| When a human picks up after that many rings, what do they say? Do they explain why it took them so long to find, or get to, the phone? | |
| 4 January 2008 | |
| D&T, they get on the phone exactly as they would after one or two rings.
Then they get annoyed if you complain about how long it took. Interestingly, at this IRS Detroit Center they don't put on the typical IRS Mozart and Strauss hold music. They just let it ring, let it ring, let it ring. | |
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 4 January 2008 |
| Kevin, do you really have your EA certificate on the wall? Maybe you received a better one than the one I was sent. Mine was the hokiest looking thing I ever saw. It looked like it had been prepared on the cheapest printer available and that if you looked funny at it, the ink would run. I've long since lost it. I did purchase a really cool plaque from some vendor that looks very impressive and says I'm an enrolled agent, but I'll have to look to see if my number is on there.
My favorite encounter with IRS was over a question regarding a tip form, years ago. I think the issue was the income level of the client, I called to ask my question, bounced around to at least a half dozen different people, the last guy listened to my question, then wanted to know if my client was a legal resident. When I asked him what possible relationship that question had to my question, he hung up on me. Time spent - at least 45 minutes. Response - CLICK. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 4 January 2008 |
| My certificate dated May 10, 1995 looks better than my late Farfel's diploma from Upsandowns Dog Training school given six months earlier...the ink has faded where the school wrote her name....oooops, on closer examination turns out it was written in gold ink.
I am sure Kevin will take me to task, but they hang next to each other on my wall. | |
| 4 January 2008 | |
| Any MAJOR accomplishment should go on the wall for others to see. Sometimes we also need to be reminded that we DO know what we are doing, as we have all made mistakes or felt stupid for forgetting something, and looking at your past major accomplishments helps your self-image.
For Farfel, I'm sure she was just as proud of her accomplishment as you were of passing the EA exam, so I have no problem with their proximity. My EA certificate is framed and looks quite nice on the wall - blue ink logo in the shape of a ribbon, gold foil seal, and Leslie Shapiro's signature. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 4 January 2008 |
| I have Robert Brower(?) [He was in an acting position]. You know, I cannot remember receiving one of these when I passed the exam originally in 1984? | |
| 4 January 2008 | |
| I know they are supposed to be on the wall, but i've moved soooooo many times, I actually have no idea where the stuff is. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 5 January 2008 |
| Don't be embarrassed. I put my CAF someplace and haven't had a chance to turn the office upside down to find it. When I do, I'll put the number in my Palm where I have my PTIN and EIN. | |
