STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOREN SPANGLER
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An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner who is empowered by the United States Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, collections, and appeals. As an EA, Lynn Schmidt, of Lynco Financial & Tax Services, Inc. is authorized to appear in their place at the Internal Revenue Service or other government agency. Not all attorneys and CPAs specialize in taxation, however, all Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation and representation and are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer. “We are available to serve our clients all year long,” Lynn says. “If there is a problem after April 15th, people do not want to search out someone to contact if they have a tax question.”

In a recent interview with the Washington Post, she was quoted in an article regarding “Non-Filers.” “In most cases, people don’t file returns because they don’t have the money they owe, have been ill, or have lost their records through a tragedy or bad divorce. Many non-filers are also people who have income that has not had any withholding, such as those that are self-employed.” Lynn specializes in helping individuals and small businesses minimize tax liabilities and as an Enrolled Agent, her technical competence and expertise in tax law will find a remedy for even the most difficult cases.

From the first meeting with her, it is obvious that Lynn loves her work. “As a business student in high school, one of my teachers encouraged me to attend college where I received a four year degree in accounting,” she says. “After being in business for 25 years I still feel that representing taxpayers is exactly where I should be.”

When asked how she became a financial and tax authority for the Washington Post, CNN Money, she replied that it is because of her “Enrolled Agent” status. Florida has the second largest state membership of Enrolled Agents in the United States, and that she was president of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents from 2004-2005. The impressive display of tax certifications displayed in her office leave no doubt that she is the one to ask.

As Lynn stated in an article which appeared on CNNmoney.com regarding filing options, there are many reasons why someone may want to file separately, such as a couple that was still married but separated. She said “If your ex owes back taxes, has defaulted on child-support from a previous marriage, or has incurred major medical expenses, it may make financial sense to file separately, but there may also be lost deductions with that decision.” Lynn stresses that, “tax-wise, everyone still must work together.” In all cases where there are problems, these people need professional help to find out why a bad tax situation happened, how to deal with that situation, and what to do to prevent it from happening again.”

Lynco Financial & Tax Services
offers a comprehensive package of “tax preparation and planning, representation, accounting and bookkeeping services, retirement
plan development and implementation that is tailored to fit all business or individual needs.
She specializes in Physicians, Law Firms, Engineers and Architects,
Trade Contractors, Consultants, Independent Contractors, Retail
Stores, and non-profit entities such as Clergy, Churches, and Homeowners Associations.

Lynn Schmidt holds professional memberships in several organizations including the following: NAEA-National Association of Enrolled Agents, FSEA-Florida Society of Enrolled Agents, NSA/FSA-National & Florida Society of Accountants,
SCSA-Society of Certified Senior Advisors. She also gives back to
the community and to the senior population by volunteering as a
Long-Term Care Ombudsman for the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs.

Lynco Financial & Tax Services, Inc. is located at 1495 Sixth Street SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880. The phone number is (863) 295-9895. The Website is www.lyncotax.com