Episode 3 | May 26, 2025

What does it take to go from a mail-order tax course to becoming a national thought leader in crypto tax and IRS representation?

In Episode 3 of The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast, we sit down with Tynisa (Ty) Gaines, EA, to explore her unconventional path into tax, her role as Editor-in-Chief of the EA Journal, and her take on the future of digital assets and tax education. Whether you’re an aspiring tax professional or a seasoned Enrolled Agent, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

Ty Gaines is an Enrolled Agent (EA), NTPI Fellow, and the outgoing Editor-in-Chief of the EA Journal, NAEA’s award-winning member publication. She’s also a respected educator and speaker who has contributed to major outlets like Reuters, The Hill, and Accounting Today, and appeared on Barron’s Live and MarketWatch.

But her journey didn’t start with a traditional tax background.

As a military spouse and 1099 contractor, Ty experienced firsthand the confusion many face when navigating self-employment taxes. She enrolled in a mail-order course from the Tax Training Institute and that simple decision changed everything.

In this episode of the Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast, Ty shares her powerful story of career transformation and how she carved a niche in crypto tax and IRS representation:

  • How she got started in tax as an office manager trying to understand 1099 rules
  • What led her to specialize in cryptocurrency tax after the 2021 boom
  • Her advice to new and aspiring EAs: master the basics, then specialize
  • What it’s like managing the EA Journal and working with contributors
  • Her take on key policy updates, from TCJA sunset provisions to digital asset enforcement
  • Why tax education is her passion, and how she helps make complex topics click for students

If you’re wondering:

How do I become an Enrolled Agent?

Are digital assets still a thing?

What is the EA Journal?

What kind of careers are possible with an EA credential?

How do EAs keep up with IRS changes like digital asset reporting?

…this episode answers all of that and more.

Ty’s story is a testament to how education, curiosity, and grit can lead to an extraordinary career. From helping others understand tax code to shaping the future of the profession, she embodies what it means to be an EA.

Tune in to hear how one unexpected career shift became a lifelong mission and how you can apply her wisdom to your own tax journey.

Listen to Episode 3 of the Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast today.