Current for the 2026-2027 EA examPSI scheduling update
Part 3 / Representation, Practices and Procedures

Representation Before the IRS

Establish authority, protect confidential information, research governing law, build the administrative record, and move a taxpayer's matter through the correct IRS channel.

By Jordan AshbyUpdated August 13, 2026Current PSI outline
9 focused lessons

Learn the rule, then work the decision.

Every lesson pairs a direct answer with a practical scenario, a common wrong turn, and a repeatable study action.

Lesson 01

Form 2848 Power of Attorney

Form 2848 authorizes an eligible representative for specified taxpayers, tax matters, forms, and periods when properly completed and signed.

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Lesson 02

Form 8821 Versus Form 2848

Form 8821 authorizes inspection or receipt of tax information; Form 2848 authorizes eligible representation for specified matters.

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Lesson 03

CAF, Revocation, and Withdrawal

The Centralized Authorization File records many authorizations, while revocation by a taxpayer and withdrawal by a representative require clear, properly directed action.

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Lesson 04

Taxpayer Privacy and Disclosure Consent

Return information is protected, and use or disclosure requires statutory authority or a consent that satisfies applicable rules.

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Lesson 05

Building a Taxpayer Case

A defensible case connects the taxpayer's facts, documents, return position, procedural posture, requested relief, and supporting authority.

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Lesson 06

Tax Research and Authority Hierarchy

Tax research weighs the Code, regulations, cases, administrative guidance, treaties, and non-authoritative explanations according to their legal force and relevance.

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Lesson 07

Statutes, Deadlines, and Notices

Assessment, refund, collection, appeal, and petition rights depend on the notice, event, statutory period, and any valid suspension or extension.

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Lesson 08

Taxpayer Advocate, Identity Theft, and FOIA

Different problems require different channels: TAS addresses qualifying taxpayer hardship or system failures, identity-theft procedures protect accounts, and FOIA requests seek agency records.

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Lesson 09

Tax Avoidance, Evasion, and Fraud

Lawful tax avoidance uses permitted choices and accurate disclosure; evasion and fraud involve intentional wrongdoing or false conduct.

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Turn reading into retrieval

Test Part 3 with current IRS sample questions.

Use the free sample for immediate explanations, then continue with the PassFast question bank when you are ready for full coverage and performance reporting.