Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long, Trump’s IRS nominee, claims the CTBA credential as a tax advisor. Experts question its legitimacy, noting it requires only a three-day seminar, unlike rigorous CPA standards. In most tax cases, only lawyers, CPAs and enrolled agents — federally authorized tax practitioners — can represent taxpayers at the IRS.
“The cost of relying on tax advice from somebody that is solely focused on minimizing the tax liabilities that you have — as opposed to somebody that’s focused on both minimizing the tax liabilities and complying with the tax law — can be extraordinarily high if you are found to be in violation of the standards,” said Nathan Goldman, Poole professor of accounting.
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