Current for the 2026-2027 EA examPSI scheduling update
EA Exam Part 3 / Filing Process

Return Accuracy and Software Review

Learn the decision pattern the exam can test, then apply it to a realistic taxpayer fact pattern.

By Jordan AshbyUpdated August 13, 2026Official IRS source below
Part 3Representation, Practices and Procedures
14 of 85questions in this domain
One decisionto practice before moving on

What changes the answer?

A cleared diagnostic does not prove facts were entered correctly or that the legal position is supportable.

A tax-practice scenario

Software accepts duplicate income and a negative expense without an error. Reconcile the return to source records and expected results.

How to approach it

Identify the taxpayer, entity, transaction, and tax period first. Write the controlling tests in order, apply only the relevant facts, and keep the reporting result separate from any planning recommendation.

Do not take this shortcut.

Treating electronic acceptance as proof of substantive accuracy.

Turn the rule into recall.

Use a final review that compares source totals, prior-year continuity, reasonableness, forms, elections, and client representations.

  1. ExplainState the governing distinction without notes.
  2. ApplyChange one fact in the scenario and predict the new result.
  3. RetrieveAnswer an unseen question, then review every option.

Official source and scope

This lesson follows the current PSI content outline and uses the IRS reference below for the underlying tax or practice framework. Always confirm current forms, instructions, thresholds, and effective dates before advising a taxpayer.