TAX NEWS - 2010

What to Expect When You Hire a Certified Tax Resolution Firm / Tax Specialist to Help you Resolve Your IRS Problems

Many of our clients who retain our tax help services are interested in knowing how their life will change and when they can expect these changes to happen. Upon retaining a highly qualified and experienced firm to resolve your tax debt, some of the relief will be instant and some will be over time. It is vital to keep in mind that IRS problems don't start overnight and can take some time to resolve. The excellent news is that you don't have to worry anymore and your IRS problem will be resolved.

ROAD MAP TO RESOLUTION

Free Consultation: Many tax resolution companies offer taxpayers who need tax help a free consultation. At our company, an experienced Tax Consultant will evaluate your situation and discuss the available income tax relief options for resolving the matter. This generally takes about an hour; but, there are times where the information provided at this meeting is not sufficient to determine a course of action.

1. Retaining a Tax Resolution Firm: At the end of your free consultation, you will be given the opportunity to retain the tax resolution firm as your IRS representative. You will be required to sign a Retainer Agreement letter and make financial arrangements in order to pay for the tax help services. Your new representative will file a Power of Attorney (POA) with the IRS. This will provide you with immediate relief because from this point on, the IRS will be required to contact your tax resolution company instead of you. If the IRS should happen to contact you, all you need to do is politely request that they contact your  representative directly and provide them with the company's phone number. A separate POA may be required for any State problem.

2. Beginning the Tax Resolution Process: You will be assigned a case manager who is in charge of your case. Your case manager should be extremely qualified and be a practicing Tax Attorney, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Enrolled Agent (EA). Together, you will develop a strategy for resolving your case and you will be advised on what steps to take for the most effective resolution. Your case manager should be available to you by direct dial phone, individual e-mail, or in person. Our company employs a "team" approach, which we have found is most effective for resolving tax debt – where case managers are supported by a staff of experienced technical specialists, who from time to time, may have contact with you, in addition to your case manager regarding your case.

3. IRS Compliance: Generally before any tax resolution can be negotiated, you must become a compliant taxpayer. Your case manager is experienced in what must be done to achieve this and will advise you accordingly. For the most part you must file delinquent tax returns and demonstrate that you are keeping up with your current tax payments. For those of you that have incomplete records, your tax resolution company should have proven methods for completing the preparation of tax returns in order to get them filed.

4. Tax Settlement Negotiation: Your expert tax professionals will propose a plot for resolution (offer in compromise, IRS payment plot, penalty abatement, etc.) to the IRS that you can live with and see through to acceptance. But, keep in mind that it is rare that a proposal is accepted straight away. Through diligence, persistence and follow-up, an expert and knowledgeable tax resolution company will monitor, provide additional information to the IRS as needed, and negotiate your proposed resolution until acceptance is gained.

5. Tax Resolution is Reached: Your tax resolution company will review the final resolution of your case by the IRS to make sure it is as agreed upon. If not, they will insist that it be changed to reflect what was agreed upon. If the IRS is unwilling to do this, your professional tax representatives will advise you as to what your options are for the next step. Finally you will be advised on what you must do in order to succeed with your resolution and avoid future tax problems.