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Posted 1/9/2012
IRS Addresses Enrolled Agent Renewal Delays
The IRS put out the following information on its progress in renewing Enrolled Agents based on the new procedures it implemented in 2012. Here is the IRS update:
As many of you know, the Enrolled Agent renewal period for SSNs ending in 4, 5, and 6 was delayed for 7 months while the IRS recomputed the fee and reduced it from $125 to $30.
This delay interrupted the regular timeline of spreading renewals equally over a three year period. Additionally, many people delayed submitting new EA applications (Form 23) until the fee decrease was official.
Oversight for processing enrollment applications and renewals transferred from the Office of Professional Responsibility to the Return Preparer Office beginning in FY12. We have been closely monitoring the inventory and working diligently to resolve the backlog. We want to share the current status with you:
Renewals for SSNs ending in four, five or six - All correct and complete Forms 8554 submitted before November 28, 2011, have been processed and cards issued. All remaining Forms 8554 require further research.
Renewals for SSNs ending in seven, eight, nine, or none - We will begin processing these no later than January 30, 2012.
New applications on Forms 23 - We are working overtime to process the backlog created by the delayed renewal cycle. The Form 23 inventory should be current and back to the normal 60 day response time by January 30, 2012.
Phone and email delays - We have diverted the majority of our resources to processing renewals and applications. We're attempting to answer all contacts as they come in, all phone and email inquiries will be worked by January 30, 2012.