2026 EA renewal open now open for some tax professionals

The 2026 enrollment renewal application period is now open and runs through Jan. 31, 2026. During this window, EAs whose Social Security numbers end in 4, 5 or 6 must apply to renew or risk losing their enrollment status on March 31, 2026. To renew, you’ll need an active PTIN, meet continuing education requirements and pay a $140 non-refundable fee.

Continuing education (CPE) is a critical piece. Applicants must complete 16 hours of CPE per year, 2 of which must be in ethics, within their three-year cycle. There is a total requirement of 72 hours of CPE over three years, including ethics. If you haven’t met those CPE numbers, your renewal won’t be processed until your credits are verified. 

New online tools for EA processes

The IRS accepts online responses to Form 15115, Request for Missing Information on the Application for Enrollment or Renewal of Enrollment to Practice before the IRS, which is used to request missing information related to EA enrollment or renewal. That means fewer delays caused by missing paperwork. To use this, you’ll need an IRS online account to submit supporting documents (PDF, DOC, XLS, JPEG or PNG) directly via the system. The system allows up to five files per submission, each with a maximum size of 5 MB. 

Why this matters for tax pros

This addition is part of a broader trend toward digital processing and modernization in EA administration. It helps reduce friction in your interactions with the Office of Enrollment, especially when managing renewals or correcting application details. Missing the renewal window means loss of your EA status, which can disrupt your ability to represent clients before the IRS. Also, the CPE and ethics requirements ensure that EAs maintain competence and integrity. For firms with several EAs, these updates mean you’ll want to map out who needs renewal, who might need to catch up on CPE and who should adopt the new online tools.

Tips to stay ahead

• Mark your calendar now for the renewal window. Don’t wait until the last minute.
• Check your CPE status early. Confirm that you’ve met the 72-hour CPE requirements, including the annual 2-hour ethics minimum.
• Prepare your online account. Ensure your credentials are up to date so you can respond to Form 15115 requests promptly.
• Consolidate documents. Keep your supporting documents ready and sized appropriately, so submissions don’t get rejected for technical reasons.
• Monitor any updates on the Enrolled Agent Information page on IRS.gov for any late announcements or adjustments, especially around policy or process changes.

Earn your CPE requirements with NATP 

If your EA renewal window is approaching, now is the time to make sure your CPE requirements are met and reported on time. NATP offers a comprehensive library of IRS-approved continuing education tailored specifically for enrolled agents, covering ethics, tax law updates, specialty topics and more. NATP is an IRS-approved CPE provider and reports credits directly to the IRS.

When you earn CPE with NATP, we submit your credits directly to the IRS by the required deadlines so you can focus on your clients and your practice, not paperwork.

Stay compliant and renew your EA credentials with support from NATP today.