IRS Hosts “Open House” Help Small Businesses, Individuals Solve Tax Problems
The Internal Revenue Service hosted a special nationwide Open House on May 15th to help small businesses and individuals solve tax problems. Approximately 200 IRS offices, were available on site or by telephone to help taxpayers work through their problems and walk out with solutions. A previous IRS Open House was hosted on March 27. While the idea is novel and could possibly work for SOME taxpayers …consider the following
Who Should Do This?
- Taxpayers who already filed their tax returns with a small amount owed to the IRS;
- Taxpayers who haven’t filed their tax returns, have “easy” tax returns to prepare and believe their tax liability (or refund) is relatively small;
- Taxpayers who have received the IRS letter, agree with all of the proposed changes with little change to their taxes;
- Taxpayers who are low income taxpayers
Who Should Not Be Doing This?
Everyone else!
Are you kidding yourself or just plain crazy? Why would you even think of doing this without representation? Do you think you’re smart enough to outwit the IRS? Have you convinced yourself that this is really no big deal? Do you really believe the IRS is there to help you?
IRS agents have one job to do and one job only … Get Your Money!
While it may appear that the new “friendly” IRS is there to help … they’re not. Do you think they’re there to serve you cake and cookies? To be your friend? Don’t fool yourself! They are there to get your money! They’re not bad people. In fact, they’re extremely nice. They’re just doing their job! To get your money!
Who Can Help Me?
If you owe taxes, if you can’t pay, if you haven’t filed or you have a tax problem get professional help!
Not from just the girl or guy who prepares your taxes. Not from TV guy where your tax problems in handled by some clerk with little training a thousand miles away. Not from your Cousin Vinny or even someone you know … But from a licensed, certified public accountant, tax attorney or enrolled agent who specializes in IRS problem solving.
How Much Does It Cost?
Is it expensive? Sure its expensive! You really didn’t expect someone to do it for free … do you? Licensed professionals have years of specialized training and education.
You’re not sleeping to well. A week doesn’t go by that you’re not thinking about it. You’re worried that they’re going to just show up one day. Maybe you’re even worried that you’re going to go to jail. Do you really want to get the “best price”, or do you want your problems to go away!
Can’t You Do This Yourself?
Maybe … probably not. You’re going to need an experienced tax problem solver to get you the best settlement you can possibly get. Someone who will protect your rights. Someone who can stop the IRS in their tracks, buy you some time and help you get your life back.
What Exactly Can A Tax Problem Solver Do For Me?
Alot. Let’s just start with letting you get on with your life … getting a good night sleep .. not having to deal with this … knowing you’re not going to jail … knowing you hired the best professional you possibly could to make your problems go away!
Can You Settle Your Debt for Less?
In some cases, this is true. If you qualify, you can pay less than you owe … a whole lot less. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work.
If it looks like you can’t pay what you owe or you’ll never be able to pay what you owe, you just may qualify.
Only approximately 20% of the applicants last year got approved (a rate that has never been lower in IRS history). This is not necessarily because the IRS is getting harsher in debt forgiveness. In fact, the IRS is probably more lenient than ever before. This is probably because too many applicants do not hire the “right person” for the job or try to do it themselves. You need experienced, certified professional help! Not the “free” IRS help! Not the guy on TV!
Can You Pay Your Debt in Installments?
If you owe the taxes, you’re going to pay! The IRS offers an installment payment program in which taxpayers can pay their debt over time. The real questions are how much and when.
How Much Do I Have to Pay?
Get the best settlement allowed by law. Don’t “make up” numbers just to get you a better deal. Don’t even think about it! You’re signing your tax return which means you’re responsible. You’re already in enough trouble. Don’t make it worse.
When Do You Have to Pay?
Get your the best terms of settlement. In other words, the longest amount of time to pay with the lowest amount of payments.
The IRS usually has 10 years to collect from you. That’s a long time! Depending on how much you owe, how much you can pay now, what you can pay and when you can pay it will determine how much you will need to pay and when.
Four Steps of How To Resolve Your Tax Problem (Call to Action)
Step One: Make the Call
Do it now! The problem won’t go away by ignoring it. In fact, the longer you wait, the more difficult and more expensive it will become to fix it.
Ask for a “Free” Estimate
Get a “rough” idea of what needs to be done. How long it will take to do it? Get a “rough” idea of what it will cost.
Ask for Professional Credentials
- Are they CPAs, enrolled agents or tax attorneys?
- Are they licensed?
- Are they certified?
Ask About Experience
- How long have they been in public practice?
- Where have they worked before?
- For how long?
- Have they handled similar cases before the IRS?
- How many and when?
Don’t bother to ask for referrals. This is confidential client information and most professionals won’t give them. Besides, most taxpayers that have had problems wouldn’t be too happy to share this information.
Ask about Affiliations
Inquire of memberships in of professional organizations, state societies, specialized tax problem resolution organizations.
Ask about Education
- Licensed professionals are often required to have higher level education (five years of college or university or more);
- Inquire as to specialized training or certifications in dealing with the IRS
Step Two: Get Started — Schedule a Meeting
- Meet with the practitioner
- Develop a Plan
- See what it takes to get started
- See how long this will take
- See how much will it cost you
- Find out about the payment terms
- Learn your taxpayer rights!
Step Three: Get Educated
Hiring a practitioner is a step-by-step process. The first step is to gather critical information to resolve your case.
- Have your representative learn what steps the IRS has already taken on your account.
- Have your representative learn what information the IRS has on you.
Much of this is information is required to be given to you if you ask for it. Know Your Taxpayer Rights!
Stop IRS Actions
- Have your practitioner see what actions the IRS has taken against you
- See if he can stop or suspend collections actions and for how long
- See if you can buy more time from the IRS and how much
Usually You Can! You just need to be proactive!
Step Four: Resolve Your Problem
Resolve your IRS problem. Settle your IRS problems and get your life back on track!
If problems develop later, catch them early. Deal with them.
You’re probably going to be on the IRS radar for a while. Stay current going forward. File on time and pay on time. If you can’t be proactive!
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