Where are the best places to find Enrolled Agents (EAs) for tax help?

Having worked in tax resolution for years, I can tell you that an Enrolled Agent (EA) is definitely a good choice for your situation. EAs specialize in tax issues and are licensed by the IRS to represent taxpayers in all matters. For finding a reputable EA, I'd recommend starting with the National Association of Enrolled Agents website (NAEA.org). They have a directory where you can search for EAs in your area. The IRS website also has a directory of all credentialed tax preparers including EAs. Another good option is to ask for referrals from friends or family who have been in similar situations. Personal recommendations can be invaluable. When vetting an EA, ask about their experience with non-filer situations specifically. Ask how many years of back taxes they typically handle and their process for dealing with the IRS. A good EA will offer a consultation to discuss your situation before you commit. Don't worry too much about those unopened letters - that's exactly what an EA can help you address. The sooner you start the process, the better.

I was in a similar situation a couple years ago (hadn't filed for 3 years) and was freaking out. I tried using online software but got completely stuck when it came to calculating penalties and setting up payment arrangements. I eventually found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer for my situation. What I liked was that they helped me organize all my tax documents before connecting me with an EA who specialized in unfiled returns. They scanned all my tax documents, even those crumpled receipts I had stuffed in a shoebox, and created a digital system that made everything so much easier to manage. The EA they matched me with walked me through the whole process step by step. The best part was that they could tell me exactly what I needed to do about those scary IRS letters (I had a stack of them too!) and helped me set up a reasonable payment plan. Definitely worth checking out if you're feeling overwhelmed.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai from the recommendation above. I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a shot since my tax situation was such a mess. The document scanning part was super easy - I just took photos of what I had with my phone. They were able to pull my missing W-2s from the IRS database which was huge since I was missing two years worth! The EA they matched me with specialized in helping people who hadn't filed in multiple years, and she was amazing at explaining everything in terms I could understand. We got all four years of my returns filed last week, and she even negotiated a payment plan that I can actually manage. I went from panic attacks every time I got mail to actually feeling in control of my financial situation.

If those IRS letters you mentioned are collection notices, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS about my back taxes and payment options, and it was impossible to reach a human. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have this system that navigates all the IRS phone menus for you and holds your place in line, then calls you when they reach a human. Check out their demo video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Once I finally got through to the IRS, they were actually pretty helpful in explaining my options and setting up a payment plan. Then I took that information to an EA I found through the NAEA website to help me file all my back returns. Having that direct IRS conversation first made the whole process with the EA much smoother because I already understood what I was facing.

I wanted to apologize for my skeptical comment about Claimyr earlier. After another frustrating morning of trying to reach the IRS and getting disconnected twice after waiting over an hour each time, I gave in and tried the service. It actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back in about 15 minutes and was connected to an IRS representative who helped me understand my options for my unfiled returns. I was able to set up a payment plan directly and get clear answers about the penalties I was facing. I still need to find an EA to help me with the actual filing, but now I know exactly what I'm dealing with and what deadlines I need to meet. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong, and in this case, I definitely was. Sorry for the initial skepticism!

Don't overlook community resources! Many cities have VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs that offer free tax help. While they typically focus on current year returns, some locations have volunteers who can advise on back tax situations or at least point you in the right direction. Also check with your local community college - many have accounting programs where supervised students provide tax assistance. They might not handle complex cases, but can sometimes help with straightforward back filings.

Has anyone tried using a CPA instead of an EA? What's really the difference? My buddy used a CPA for his back taxes and said it worked out fine.

I just want to echo what others have said about not panicking over those unopened IRS letters. I was in a very similar situation - hadn't filed for 3 years and was terrified to even look at the mail from the IRS. One thing I learned is that the IRS actually prefers to work with people who are trying to get compliant rather than those who continue to avoid the issue. When I finally got help, the penalties weren't as catastrophic as I had imagined in my head. For finding an EA in Minneapolis specifically, you might want to check with the Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents. They often have local chapters that can provide referrals to members in your area who have experience with non-filer cases. Also, don't be afraid to interview a few EAs before choosing one. Most reputable ones will offer a brief consultation to discuss your situation and their approach. Ask specifically about their experience with 4+ years of unfiled returns and what their typical timeline looks like for getting everything resolved. You're taking the right step by seeking help now. The sooner you start, the more options you'll have for payment plans and penalty abatement.