Buyer's guide
How to Choose a Tax Resolution Professional in Houston and Sugar Land
Who is allowed to represent you, how to check them in a few minutes, the questions to ask on the first call, and the promises that should make you walk away. Use it on any firm, including ours.
Who can represent me before the IRS?
The IRS splits tax professionals by representation rights (IRS: understanding preparer credentials):
| Credential | Licensed by | Can represent you on collection, audits and appeals? |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled agent (EA) | The IRS | Yes, unlimited representation rights |
| Certified public accountant (CPA) | State boards of accountancy (in Texas, the TSBPA) | Yes, unlimited representation rights |
| Attorney | State courts or state bars | Yes, unlimited representation rights |
| Annual Filing Season Program participant | IRS record of completion | Limited: only on returns they prepared, and not on collection issues or appeals |
| PTIN holder only | None beyond a PTIN | No representation rights |
How do I check a tax professional's credentials?
- Search the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers for EAs, CPAs and attorneys.
- For a Texas CPA, use the TSBPA public lookup, which shows whether the license is current.
- For an attorney, check the State Bar of Texas directory.
- For a designation like Certified Tax Coach, check the issuing body's directory, such as the AICTP directory.
What should I ask on the first call?
- Who will actually work my case, and what credential do they hold?
- Will you pull my IRS transcripts before recommending an option?
- Which options do you think fit, and why not the others?
- What is the fee, what does it cover, and what happens if the IRS says no?
- How will you keep me updated, and how do I reach you?
Which promises are red flags?
Be careful with any firm that promises a specific settlement or discount before seeing your income, expenses and assets. The IRS says it generally will not accept an Offer in Compromise from someone who could pay through a plan or from asset equity (IRS: Offer in Compromise), so a firm that pitches an offer to everyone before seeing their numbers is skipping the IRS's own first test. The same goes for a guaranteed date for a levy release or a penalty removal: those are IRS decisions.
Pressure to sign today is another warning sign. Good help will still be there tomorrow, and the deadlines that matter are printed on your notice; our IRS notices guide shows which ones are truly urgent.
Where does Tax Solution Pro Advisor fit?
Tax Solution Pro Advisor LLC is led by Thuy Nguyen, a Texas CPA whose license shows as current on the TSBPA lookup and who is listed as a Certified Tax Coach (see the details). The office is in Sugar Land and the first consultation is free, so you can ask us the five questions above before you decide. For a practical example of one IRS option, read IRS penalty relief in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CPA or an enrolled agent better for an IRS problem?
Both have unlimited representation rights before the IRS, as do attorneys (IRS: preparer credentials). Experience with your type of problem and willingness to read your transcripts matter more than which of the three credentials someone holds.
Can my regular tax preparer handle my IRS debt?
Only if they hold one of the three credentials with unlimited rights. Preparers in the Annual Filing Season Program have limited rights and cannot represent you on collection issues, and preparers with only a PTIN cannot represent you at all.
How do I check a Texas CPA license?
Use the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy public lookup. It shows whether a license is current.
Should I pay a large fee before anyone looks at my case?
Ask what the fee covers and what happens if the option they recommend does not work out. A firm should be able to explain both before you pay.
Ask us the five questions
The first consultation is free. Bring your notices and your questions.