kj_nyc wrote: LOL, it is an adjustment!  I'm glad and really relieved finally to be done, but I do feel empty inside as well.  I've become so accustomed to studying or doing homework all the time for 3 years (had to go back to school for 2.5 years for the education requirements) that it feels unreal to be done.  I'm still pretty busy trying to take care of things I have put off for so long, as well as deciding what to do next.  I'll probably be studying again soon though; I want to try for next year's Tax Court exam (any tax folks out there who want to study with me?).

Hi, Kj. I am interested about the tax court exam. Could you provide some info about this?

Thanks.

Hey late bloomer, nice to hear from another EA who is interested in tax court exam.  I'm an EA as well.  Email me kjhspa at gmail dot com

In the mean time, here is some basic tax court exam info:

When a taxpayer is contesting an IRS assessment and gets a notice of deficiency (90-day letter) from the IRS, Tax Court is the only court where the taxpayer can litigate the case without having to pay the disputed tax before filing a petition.  Only lawyers are automatically allowed to represent clients in tax court.  Non-lawyers who want to do so must pass an exam to be admitted to practice in tax court.

This exam is given every other year, with the next one in November 2010.  It is supposed to be very tough, with a very low pass rate, and it covers
- Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure
- Federal Taxation
- Federal Rules of Evidence
- Legal Ethics

Getting admitted to practice in Tax Court is nice credential to get if you like to do tax controversy and representation work.  Personally, I am most interested in law and wish I could become a lawyer, but I can't afford to go to law school.  I also like tax, but I like the research and controversy work much better than straight compliance work.  I think something like this could help me get more opportunity to do the type of work that I'm most interested in.

See the following for more info:
http://www.starkman.com/taxcourt/taxcourt.html
http://www.starkman.com/taxcourt.html
http://www.taxcourtexam.com/
http://www.cpatrainingcenter.com/tax_court_exam.asp

I also feel an odd void deep down.  As much as I really love having my life back, it's a pretty good feeling knowing you studied hard and did well.  There's nothing like putting in your section ID and D.O.B. and seeing a score, and even better, a PASSING score pop up!  I guess I'll just have to move onto my MBA to keep the academic achievement going, because I feel so "idle" right now, for lack of a better word.  Luckily for me, I already have the 150 credits so I don't need it for licensure, but more for a feeling of self-fulfillment!