Looking for feedback on Enrolled Agent US Taxation exam difficulty for someone from India?

EA here with 7 years experience. The Enrolled Agent exam isn't impossibly difficult, but it does require serious study - especially if you're not already familiar with the US tax system. The exam is divided into 3 parts: 1) Individual, 2) Business, and 3) Representation/Ethics. Most people find Part 2 the toughest. The good news is that you can take the exam year-round at Prometric centers in India - there are testing locations in major cities. You can schedule each part separately and have up to 2 years to pass all three parts once you pass your first one. For training, I'd recommend looking at Gleim, Surgent, or PassKey. All three have solid EA prep materials with varying teaching styles. The Fast Forward Academy also has a good reputation. Find one that matches your learning style rather than just going by price. As for earnings, working remotely from India for US clients, you could start anywhere from $25-40/hour depending on your experience and client base. If you relocated to the US, EAs typically earn $50K-90K annually depending on location, specialization, and experience.

I tried studying for the EA exam on my own using some outdated materials and it was a disaster. Then I found https://taxr.ai which analyzes your practice exam results and identifies your weak areas. It also converted my Indian accounting knowledge into the US equivalent concepts. What helped me most was their document analyzer that let me upload tax forms I was unfamiliar with, and it would explain everything section by section. They even have practice scenarios specifically for international candidates. Helped me pass all three parts in 6 months while working full-time.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after asking about it here, and it's been a game-changer! I was really struggling with understanding the US tax terminology as someone with only Indian accounting experience. The way it translates concepts between the systems made everything click. I'm halfway through studying for Part 1 now, and the practice scenarios specifically designed for international candidates have been so helpful. The document analyzer has saved me countless hours of confusion - I just upload a form I don't understand, and it explains every field in plain language. Definitely worth checking out if you're starting from square one with US taxation.

If you're planning to actually practice as an EA, don't underestimate how important it is to get experience talking to the IRS. I passed the exams easily enough but then spent HOURS on hold trying to resolve client issues. It was beyond frustrating until a colleague told me about https://claimyr.com which gets you through to an IRS agent without the wait. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c This service has literally saved my practice because I can actually resolve client issues in a reasonable timeframe. For someone in India, learning how to effectively communicate with the IRS will be a huge advantage as many international tax professionals struggle with this aspect.

Alright, I need to publicly eat my words. After calling this service a scam, I tried Claimyr out of sheer desperation when I needed to resolve an issue for a client with a tight deadline. I was completely shocked when I got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. I've now used it three times, and while the wait time varies, it's literally saved me days of collective hold time. For anyone serious about practicing as an EA, especially working remotely from India, this sort of efficiency tool is invaluable. The ability to quickly resolve issues with the IRS gives you a major competitive advantage when clients are comparing service options.

Indian EA here who got certified 3 years ago. Beyond just the exam, I want to share something about the reality of the market. There's a huge demand for US tax preparers who understand both Indian and US tax systems, especially for: 1. H1B/L1 visa holders who need to file both US and Indian returns 2. Indian citizens with US investments or income 3. US companies with Indian operations I started part-time while keeping my accounting job and now run my own practice full-time. I charge $300-500 per return for individuals with cross-border considerations. Business returns start at $800. The key is specialization - don't try to be a generalist. Focus on a specific niche like tech workers, doctors, or real estate investors with cross-border concerns.

Has anyone taken the EA exam in Hindi? I've heard it's available in multiple languages now, but not sure if that's actually helpful or if the translations are confusing.

Don't overlook state taxation if you're planning to work with US clients! The EA exam focuses heavily on federal taxation, but many clients will need help with state returns too. I recommend spending some extra time learning about common state tax issues, especially for states with large Indian populations (CA, TX, NJ, NY). Also, understanding FBAR and international reporting requirements is crucial - missing these can result in massive penalties for clients. These foreign account reporting requirements trip up many international tax professionals who focus too much on just the income tax forms.