Tax Problem and Resolution Services
Back Taxes Owed
Have you filed your tax returns every year, but not paid all the tax you owe? Maybe you just didn’t have enough money at the time and planned to pay more later. Unfortunately, the penalties and interest that are added to back taxes greatly increase how much you will ultimately owe the government. If you are delinquent on your taxes and haven’t yet heard from the IRS, you soon will. The IRS may place a lien on your property or a levy on your bank accounts or wages. The potential damage from unpaid back taxes can be financially ruinous, but it is often avoidable. We can help you assess your tax debt options and negotiate a workable payment plan with the IRS. Unpaid back taxes is a problem that rarely goes away on its own. Contact us today and resolve your tax liability issues.
Currently Not Collectible/Hardship Status
If paying your tax debt would cause you undue financial hardship, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status. If the IRS decides your case is legitimate, they will halt collection for the duration of your CNC status, although you may still be subjected to a lien. Generally, to be accepted as Currently Not Collectible you must demonstrate to the IRS that you cannot pay your tax debt after meeting monthly living expenses or by liquidating certain assets. Applying for hardship status on your own is time-consuming and can ultimately end in failure. Our tax professionals are familiar with IRS rules and regulations. If we feel you have a good chance to qualify for hardship status, we will submit the correct paperwork on your behalf and emphasize your suitability to the IRS. Currently Not Collectible is best thought of as a reprieve from collection enforcement that is subject to review. Once your status is confirmed, however, we can recommend options that will bring your tax controversy to a permanent close.
Injured Spouse Relief
You may qualify for Injured Spouse Relief if the IRS uses the refund from your joint return to offset certain past-due debts that are the sole responsibility of your spouse or former spouse, such as taxes, child support, or student loans. Injured Spouse Relief should not be confused with Innocent Spouse Relief. You may be classified as an Injured Spouse if you do not receive your portion of a refund because of your spouse’s debt, whereas Innocent Spouse Relief applies to debt for which you are technically co-responsible, but not liable because of circumstances. Whatever the cause, we can help you rectify an unfair tax liability and get you your money. Our tax experts will closely examine your case to see if you qualify for Injured Spouse Relief and/or any other IRS Relief programs.
IRS Audit Representation
Have you received a Notice of Audit and Examination Scheduled from the IRS? An IRS audit is a review of an organization’s or individual’s accounts to ensure information is being reported correctly. Ignoring an audit usually means the IRS files your return for you and you end up paying much more. An IRS audit is a serious situation, but with experienced help most tax difficulties can be resolved. You don’t have to face an audit alone. Our associates are qualified to represent you before the examination division of the IRS. Oftentimes we can save taxpayers many times the cost of representation and quickly bring the audit to a close.
Levies and Seizures
Levies and liens are often confused, but they are actually quite different. A lien secures the government’s interest in your property when you don’t pay your tax debt. A levy actually takes the property to pay the tax debt. If you don’t pay or make arrangements to settle your tax liability the IRS can levy, seize and sell any type of personal property that you own or have an interest in. Even your retirement accounts and home are fair game. If you have received a Notice of Intent to Levy please contact us immediately. There is a brief time period where we may be able to appeal the process and negotiate a workable payment plan before the levy even begins. Levies are best understood by examining their primary asset targets.
Liens
A federal tax lien arises shortly after the IRS makes an assessment of your tax and sends you a demand for payment. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien lets your creditors know the IRS has a claim against all your property–including property you may purchase in the future. Once the lien arises, the IRS generally will not release it until the taxes, penalties, and fees are paid in full. But there are actions you can take. If you contact us immediately, we may be able to file an appeal with the IRS and have your lien reconsidered. Our tax experts will thoroughly examine your situation to see if you qualify for a payment or penalty reduction. We can find out if the Statute of Limitations has expired or if your finances allow you to file as Currently Not Collectible. Failing these, we will diligently work to set up a payment plan with the IRS and get the lien revoked.
Offer in Compromise
An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can’t pay your full tax liability, or if doing so would create a financial hardship. The IRS will generally approve an offer in compromise when the amount offered represents the most it can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. But the Offer in Compromise program is not for everyone. We will analyze your financial situation to see if you are eligible. If you do not qualify for an offer in compromise, we can recommend other payment options that will resolve your tax debt.
Payroll Taxes Owed
Falling out of compliance with IRS payroll regulations can destroy your business. Not only that, it can ruin your personal finances. Perhaps you’ve gotten behind on payroll taxes through an oversight or a temporary lack of funds. Whatever the reason, it is important to note that the IRS pays particular attention to small businesses that fall behind on their employees’ federal withholdings. If the IRS decides that your business has violated payroll tax rules it may come after your personal bank accounts and assets–even if your business files for bankruptcy protection. If you have received correspondence from the IRS about payroll issues, you need experienced representation now. Let our tax experts help you resolve your payroll tax issues so you can get back to running your business.
Penalty/Interest Abatement
One of the worst things about IRS tax controversies are the penalties and interest tacked on to your original bill. There are penalties for late filing, late payment, and negligence, to name but a few–and the interest on unpaid taxes can rapidly increase your total tax liability. If you are struggling with unpaid taxes plus additional penalties and interest, we can help. The IRS may abate certain penalties if there is reasonable cause and the failure was not due to willful neglect. Many taxpayers who have not previously had major issues with the IRS can qualify for a first time penalty waiver. Generally, the IRS does not revoke interest charges, but some established interest suspension provisions do apply–especially where the IRS has made an error. We understand if you are overwhelmed by penalties and interest. They often appear arbitrary and unfair. We will carefully scrutinize your tax situation to see where penalties and/or interest may be waived.
Seizures
A Seizure is a levy on your property. The IRS can take your car, boat, jewelry, etc.–sometimes even your home–and then auction off your possessions to pay your taxes, interest, and penalties. If the IRS has notified you that they are going to seize your assets, you still have some legal rights concerning your property. Our associates will walk you through all the available options. You may qualify for an Offer in Compromise, Innocent Spouse Relief, or, if you are under severe financial duress, Currently Not Collectable. If the IRS has already taken your property, we can request an Asset Levy Release–it may be possible to get your possessions back. Please contact us today for more information.
Statute of Limitations
The Statute of Limitations dictates the amount of time allocated for certain tax-related actions. For example, the IRS has three years to audit your tax return or send you a refund, but they have ten years to collect after a tax has been assessed. There are some exceptions to the ten year collection rule. Applying for certain payment arrangements will suspend the ten year time frame while those arrangements are pending, but add extra time to the statute of limitations for your case once the suspension period is over. It is important to know when the Statute of Limitations expires, but it is just as important to know what to do with that information. We have the expertise to help you make those decisions. Sometimes, filing for a certain status or payment plan can do more harm than good. Everyone’s tax debt issues are different and it is critical that all factors be considered. Our tax professionals will find out how the Statute of Limitations applies to your circumstances and then advise you as to the best course of action to take.
Unfiled Returns
If you have neglected to file a tax return from a previous year or years you should do so immediately–even if you think you can’t pay. The penalties and interest you may face for not filing a return are often much worse than if you file but do not pay in full. In other words, you have nothing to gain by not filing tax returns except hefty fines and possible jail time. We have the expertise you need to straighten out your misunderstanding with the IRS. Once we have filed your missing returns, we can help you work out a payment plan or an Offer in Compromise. Please note that the IRS will not accept any payment arrangement or revoke a lien or levy until all delinquent tax returns are filed. Contact us today to learn more about filing your overdue tax returns.