Let a Licensed CPA Represent You Before the IRS
An IRS notice can turn a normal week upside down. If you would rather have a qualified CPA handle the tax matter with the IRS, we can help. At EDG CPA, we provide IRS representation for individuals and businesses in Sioux Falls and across South Dakota. Daniel Foster, MPA, CPA can work with you to understand the issue, establish the proper authorization, and communicate with the IRS about the matters and periods you authorize.
What Is IRS Representation?
IRS representation means giving an eligible tax professional formal authority to act for you in a federal tax matter. For many taxpayers, that means signing Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. A CPA is an eligible representative before the IRS.
A valid Power of Attorney can allow the representative to inspect confidential tax information and, for the matters and periods listed, represent, advocate, negotiate, and communicate with the IRS. The authorization is specific. It does not simply hand over your entire tax life to someone else.
The authorization identifies the tax matter, form, and tax year or period covered.
You sign the authorization. The representative also completes the required declaration.
You can revoke the authorization, and a new authorization for the same matters and periods can replace the prior one.
Form 2848 is different from Form 8821. Form 8821 generally authorizes access to tax information, while Form 2848 provides representation authority. We help clients understand which authorization fits the work they need.
Why Handle the IRS Yourself When You Do Not Have To?
You can represent yourself before the IRS. But you do not have to do every call, letter, and tax-law discussion alone. When a case is stressful, even a simple conversation can feel risky. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, missing a deadline, or overlooking an important option.
With an authorized CPA involved, we can focus on the tax issue, review the records, and communicate with the IRS within the authority you grant us. That can give you one less phone call to make and one less pile of IRS correspondence to decode on your own.
We review the notice or issue before responding.
We keep the conversation tied to the tax years and matters covered by the authorization.
We explain what the IRS is asking for and what the next step means.
We keep you informed. Representation does not mean you lose your say in the case.
What Does IRS Representation Cover?
The exact scope depends on the authorization and the tax matter. Common representation work can include:
Responding to IRS notices and correspondence.
Communicating with IRS personnel about an authorized tax matter.
Reviewing account information and requesting appropriate transcripts.
Assisting with an IRS examination or audit.
Discussing payment arrangements and other available resolution paths when appropriate.
Preparing or handling an appeal when the matter and representation authority allow it.
Managing ongoing IRS correspondence so you have a clear point of contact.
We do not promise a particular IRS outcome. The goal is to understand the facts, protect your rights, and work toward a practical resolution supported by the tax rules and your records.
How Do You Authorize EDG CPA to Represent You?
The starting point is usually Form 2848. You identify yourself, the representative, and the tax matters and periods covered. You then sign the form. The representative completes the declaration required by the IRS. Depending on the situation, the authorization can be submitted through IRS online systems or by other accepted methods.
STEP 01
Tell us what happened and provide the IRS notice or other relevant records.
STEP 02
We identify the tax matter and periods that need attention.
STEP 03
We prepare or review the Form 2848 information for the representation.
STEP 04
You sign the authorization.
STEP 05
We submit the authorization using an appropriate IRS method and begin the case work that can proceed.
A key point: Form 2848 does not have one universal expiration date for every case. The authorization stays in effect until it is revoked or the representative withdraws, subject to the terms and periods listed on the authorization. IRS processing also matters, so we do not promise a specific start time before the authorization is properly received and recognized.
When Do You Need Representation Instead of Standard Tax Preparation?
| Standard Tax Preparation | IRS Representation | |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing a tax return | Handling an active IRS matter | Reporting income, deductions, and credits |
| Communicating with the IRS under an authorized Power of Attorney | Routine filing and review | Notices, examinations, disputes, payment discussions, or appeals |
| Planning for the current or future tax year | Working through an existing federal tax problem |
If you already received an IRS notice or face active collection, examination, or another federal tax issue, see our IRS Resolution service as well. Representation and resolution often overlap, but they are not the same thing.
What Happens After You Sign the Power of Attorney?
Once the authorization is properly submitted and recognized, we take the next steps based on the case. We review the notice, tax records, and account information available to us. Where appropriate, we obtain transcripts and contact the IRS about the authorized matter.
We review the facts before making a response.
We identify missing records or questions that could affect the case.
We communicate with the IRS within the authority granted to us.
We explain important developments to you in plain language.
We work toward a resolution plan that fits the facts of the case.
You remain the taxpayer. Representation gives us authority to act within the defined scope. It does not transfer ownership of the tax matter to us, and it does not erase the underlying tax obligation.
Who Is IRS Representation For?
Individuals who received an IRS notice and want professional help responding.
Business owners facing an IRS examination or another federal tax matter.
Taxpayers dealing with unresolved notices, correspondence, or account questions.
People who want an authorized CPA to handle eligible IRS communication for specified matters and periods.
Clients who need help moving from an IRS problem toward a workable resolution.
We serve clients in Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, and communities across South Dakota through in-person and remote service. Our office is at 601 W 86th Street, Suite 105, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing a Power of Attorney mean I lose control of my case?
No. You remain the taxpayer and retain responsibility for the underlying tax obligations. Form 2848 gives the named representative authority to act within the tax matters and periods you specify. You can revoke the authorization, and you can discuss the case with us throughout the process.
Can EDG CPA stop IRS letters and calls from coming to me directly?
Not every IRS communication is guaranteed to stop. If the Form 2848 authorizes your representative to receive copies of notices and communications, the IRS can send those copies to the representative. The IRS may still contact you directly in some situations, including when it needs information that has not been provided or when its rules require direct contact.
How quickly can representation begin after I sign?
We can begin our case review as soon as we have the information and signed authorization needed to move forward. IRS processing time can vary by submission method and case. We will not promise an instant IRS response, but we can move promptly on the work that is within our control.
Get IRS Representation Started in Sioux Falls, SD
If an IRS notice is sitting on your desk, you do not have to figure out the next move alone. Tell us what you received. We will review the situation, explain the representation process, and determine whether EDG CPA can assist within the scope of our practice.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation through EDG CPA. We serve Sioux Falls and nearby Lincoln County communities, as well as clients across South Dakota through remote service.