ETHICAL STANDARDS
Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants (CPA's), and attorneys are required to abide by the provisions of U. S. Treasury Department Circular 230. EA's, CPA's or Attorneys found to be in violation of the provisions contained in Circular 230 may be suspended or disbarred.
PRACTITIONER-CLIENT PRIVILEGE
The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 allows federally-authorized practitioners (those bound by the previously mentioned Circular 230) a limited client privilege. This privilege allows confidentiality between the taxpayer and the Enrolled Agent under certain conditions. The privilege applies to situations in which the taxpayer is being represented in cases involving audits and collection matters. It is not applicable to the preparation and filing of a tax return. This privilege does not apply to state tax matters, although a number of states have an accountant-client privilege.
