EA vs. CPA: What’s the Difference?

Enrolled Agents (EAs) are federally authorized tax practitioners who can represent taxpayers before the IRS and provide tax advice and file tax returns.
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are state-licensed accounting professionals who may provide tax preparation, auditing, accounting, business advising, corporate accounting, tax consulting, forensic accounting, and financial planning services.
EAs specialize in taxation, while CPAs can specialize in taxation and more.
The fee for having an EA or CPA near you to do your taxes can vary significantly. It depends on several factors, including the complexity of your return, your location, when you want to file your return, and more.