We, the undersigned, hereby submit this petition urging the reopening of the Enrolled Agent Test Center in Makati. As aspiring Enrolled Agents (EAs) and professionals in the tax industry, we believe that access to a local testing center is vital for the growth and development of tax practitioners in the Philippines.

What is an IRS Enrolled Agent (EA)?

An enrolled Agent is a tax professional who has earned the highest credential awarded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States. EAs are tax experts authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS in matters related to tax planning, audits, appeals, and collections. They play a vital role in ensuring that individuals, businesses, and other entities comply with tax laws and regulations while maximizing tax benefits and minimizing tax liabilities.

Once an individual becomes an Enrolled Agent, they gain several significant advantages and responsibilities such as:

-unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

-provide valuable tax advisory services to their clients.

-expertise in tax matters

-enjoy a wide range of career opportunities. They can work in accounting firms, tax preparation companies, financial institutions, corporations, or even establish their own tax practices. Their expertise is in demand across various industries.

-Professional Credibility

Many Filipinos aspire to become EAs to serve their clients effectively, expand their professional opportunities, and contribute to the tax profession both locally and internationally. Unfortunately, the closure of the Enrolled Agent Test Center in Makati has created significant hurdles for aspiring EAs in the Philippines. The closure not only places additional financial burden on candidates who now have to travel to other countries for the examination but also poses challenges related to logistics, travel restrictions, and time constraints.

We firmly believe that reopening the Enrolled Agent Test Center in Makati would have numerous benefits:

Accessibility: A local testing center would allow more aspiring EAs from across the Philippines to pursue the Enrolled Agent certification, fostering professional growth and development in the tax industry.

Cost Efficiency: Reopening the test center would significantly reduce financial burdens for candidates, as they would no longer need to incur expenses related to international travel, accommodation, and other associated costs.

Convenience: A local test center would provide candidates with a more convenient testing experience, eliminating the need for extensive travel, lengthy commutes, and potential disruptions due to travel restrictions or unforeseen circumstances.

Promoting the Tax Profession: By reestablishing the test center in Makati, we would encourage more individuals to pursue careers in taxation, enhance the pool of qualified Enrolled Agents, and contribute to the growth of the tax profession in the Philippines.

We, the undersigned, call upon the relevant authorities to seriously consider this petition and take immediate action to reopen the Enrolled Agent Test Center in Makati. We believe that doing so would be a progressive step toward supporting aspiring EAs, fostering professional development, and advancing the tax industry in the Philippines.

We sincerely hope that you recognize the significance of this request and the positive impact it would have on tax professionals and the broader community. We look forward to a favorable response and a reinstated Enrolled Agent Test Center in Makati.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.