IRS Revenue Officer Representation In Ann Arbor, MI

Austin & Larson – Representation, Support, Assistance

Austin & Larson Tax Resolution provides IRS Revenue Officer representation in Ann Arbor, MI for individuals and business owners who have been contacted by an IRS or State of Michigan Revenue Officer.

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What to Do Right Now If a Revenue Officer Has Contacted You

If an IRS Revenue Officer has shown up at your home, left a card on your door, or contacted your business, stay calm and follow these steps. Do not panic, do not ignore them, and do not try to handle this alone. Austin & Larson Tax Resolution can be on the phone with the IRS on your behalf within hours of your call.

Here is exactly what to do:

Stay calm and be polite. If the Revenue Officer is at your door, be civil. Do not be rude, aggressive, or threatening. A hostile reaction will only make your situation worse.
Do not invite them inside. You are not required to let a Revenue Officer into your home. They cannot enter without your permission for a civil tax matter.
Do not provide detailed financial information on the spot. Anything you say can be used to assess your ability to pay. Do not volunteer information about your bank accounts, assets, or income.
Get their name and contact information. Ask for their business card or write down their name, ID number, and phone number.
Tell them you want professional representation. You have an absolute legal right to be represented by a tax attorney, CPA, or Enrolled Agent before answering any questions or providing any documents.

Call Austin & Larson Tax Resolution immediately at (866) 668-2953. We will contact the Revenue Officer on your behalf, file Form 2848 (Power of Attorney), and take over all communication from that point forward. Once Form 2848 is filed, the Revenue Officer is legally required to stop contacting you directly and must go through us instead.

What Is an IRS Revenue Officer?

An IRS Revenue Officer is a federal employee assigned to collect unpaid tax debts that the IRS has been unable to resolve through its automated collection system. Unlike the notices you receive in the mail, a Revenue Officer works your case individually and has broad enforcement powers, including the ability to file liens, levy bank accounts, and seize property.

Revenue Officers are typically assigned when a taxpayer owes a significant amount (often $250,000 or more for individuals), has unfiled returns, has a complex business structure, or has failed to respond to previous IRS collection attempts. Both the IRS and the State of Michigan use Revenue Officers to pursue delinquent tax accounts.

Revenue Officer vs. Revenue Agent: Know the Difference

A Revenue Officer and a Revenue Agent are not the same thing. A Revenue Agent is an IRS auditor who examines your tax returns to determine if you owe additional taxes. A Revenue Officer is a collector whose job is to recover tax debt that you already owe. Revenue Agents investigate your returns. Revenue Officers enforce collection on your balance. If you have been contacted by a Revenue Officer, the IRS has already determined that you owe money and is now focused on collecting it. This distinction matters because the tactics, timeline, and urgency are very different. A Revenue Officer case requires immediate action.

What a Revenue Officer Can and Cannot Do

IRS Revenue Officers have significant enforcement powers, but they also have clear legal limits. Understanding both helps you protect yourself. Austin & Larson Tax Resolution knows these boundaries inside and out and will hold any Revenue Officer accountable to proper IRS collection procedures.

What a Revenue Officer CAN do:

File a federal tax lien against your home, vehicles, and other property
Levy your bank accounts and seize the funds inside
Garnish your wages so a portion of every paycheck goes to the IRS
Seize and sell your personal property, including real estate and vehicles
Require you to file all outstanding tax returns through them
Request detailed financial information using IRS Forms 433-A and 433-B
Issue a written “Summary of Contact” with deadlines for providing information
Send your return out for audit or request that substitute returns be prepared
Contact your employer, bank, or other third parties to verify financial information

What a Revenue Officer CANNOT do:

Arrest you. Revenue Officers handle civil tax collections only. If you are facing a potential criminal tax matter, that would be handled by IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents, not Revenue Officers. This is the question we hear most often, and the answer is clear: a Revenue Officer cannot arrest you or threaten you with jail for owing taxes.
Enter your home without permission. For civil matters, a Revenue Officer cannot force their way into your residence.
Ignore your authorized representative. Once you file Form 2848, the Revenue Officer must direct all communication through your representative.
Violate the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The IRS has codified ten taxpayer rights that every Revenue Officer must respect.

Your Rights When Dealing with an IRS Revenue Officer

The IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights guarantees you specific protections during the collection process. These are not suggestions. They are legally enforceable rights that every Revenue Officer must honor, and Austin & Larson Tax Resolution ensures that they do.

The right to representation. You can hire a tax attorney, CPA, or Enrolled Agent to represent you at any point during the process. Once your representative files Form 2848, the Revenue Officer must stop contacting you and communicate only through your representative. This is your single most powerful protection.
The right to be treated with respect and professionalism. Revenue Officers are required to conduct themselves professionally. If an officer is rude, threatening, or intimidating, you can request a conference with their manager.
The right to challenge the IRS position and be heard. You can dispute the amount the IRS says you owe and provide documentation to support your case.
The right to privacy. The IRS cannot disclose your tax information to unauthorized third parties.
The right to a fair and just tax system. If you believe a Revenue Officer is not following proper IRS collection procedures, you have the right to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for assistance.
The right to record the conversation. You are allowed to record any in-person meeting with a Revenue Officer, though you should notify them that you are doing so.
The right to request a different Revenue Officer. If the assigned officer makes you uncomfortable or you believe they are acting improperly, you can request reassignment through their group manager.

How Austin & Larson Represents You Before a Revenue Officer

When you hire Austin & Larson Tax Resolution for IRS Revenue Officer representation in Ann Arbor, MI, we take over every aspect of communication with the IRS. You stop dealing with the Revenue Officer directly, and our experienced team handles everything from document preparation to negotiation.

Step 1: Immediate Contact and Protection

When you call our office, we assess your situation right away. If a Revenue Officer has set a deadline, we act on the same day to make contact and request additional time if needed. We file IRS Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) so the Revenue Officer is legally required to communicate only with us from that point forward. This removes you from direct contact and eliminates the pressure of facing a trained IRS collector alone.

Step 2: Pull Your Complete IRS Records

We request your full IRS transcripts and account history to understand exactly what the IRS knows about you. This includes which years are unfiled, what balances are outstanding, and what collection actions have already been taken.

Step 3: Prepare Your Financial Documentation

Revenue Officers almost always request detailed financial information using IRS Form 433-A (for individuals) or Form 433-B (for businesses). We prepare these forms on your behalf using the IRS allowable expense standards. This is critical because many Revenue Officers attempt to manipulate taxpayer financials to force unaffordable payment plans. Our team has extensive knowledge of the IRS collection financial standards and will ensure your forms accurately reflect your ability to pay.

Step 4: File All Outstanding Returns

The IRS will not negotiate any resolution until you are in full compliance. We prepare and file all outstanding federal and Michigan state returns, working to claim every deduction and credit available to reduce your total balance before negotiations begin.

Step 5: Negotiate Your Best Resolution

With your financial picture complete and your returns filed, we negotiate directly with the Revenue Officer to reach the best resolution available to you. This may include an installment agreement, an Offer in Compromise, currently non-collectible status, or penalty abatement. We know what Revenue Officers are authorized to accept and how to present your case for the most favorable outcome.

Common Revenue Officer Tactics and How We Counter Them

Not all Revenue Officers treat taxpayers fairly. After years of representing Michigan taxpayers before the IRS, Austin & Larson Tax Resolution has seen firsthand how some Revenue Officers operate. Knowing their tactics allows us to protect you.

Issuing levies and then disappearing. We have seen Revenue Officers issue bank levies and then go on vacation for two weeks or simply stop returning phone calls. This leaves the taxpayer unable to reach anyone who can release the levy. When we represent you, we have established contacts within IRS collection departments and know how to escalate a levy release even when the assigned officer is unavailable.
Trying to “punish” taxpayers. Some Revenue Officers take a punitive approach. They issue levies even after a taxpayer has provided financial information clearly showing they cannot afford to pay. They treat collection as punishment rather than resolution. Our team knows the IRS Internal Revenue Manual procedures that govern how Revenue Officers must evaluate your financials, and we hold them to those standards.
Manipulating income and expense calculations. We have worked with clients whose Revenue Officers inflated their income or reduced their allowable expenses to force them into payment plans they could not sustain. Because we prepare your Form 433-A using the correct IRS collection financial standards, we can identify and challenge any manipulation before it affects your resolution.
Pressuring taxpayers to forgo representation. Some Revenue Officers tell taxpayers they do not need an attorney or Enrolled Agent because the officer will “walk them through it.” We hear this regularly from Michigan taxpayers who tried handling it alone, only to find themselves facing levies on their wages and bank accounts with no idea how to stop them.
Setting unreasonable deadlines. A Revenue Officer may demand documents within days, knowing you need weeks to gather everything. When Austin & Larson is representing you, we negotiate reasonable timelines and ensure that deadlines are met so the officer has no justification for escalating enforcement.

Resolution Options Available Through Your Revenue Officer

A Revenue Officer has the authority to establish several types of resolutions on your tax account. Austin & Larson Tax Resolution evaluates your financial situation and pursues the option that gives you the best outcome.

IRS Installment Agreement. This allows you to pay your tax debt in monthly payments over time. The Revenue Officer can set up this agreement directly. We negotiate payment amounts based on what you can actually afford, not what the officer tries to push you into.
Currently Non-Collectible Status. If your monthly expenses leave no room for payments toward your tax debt, the IRS may place your account in a temporary hold on collections. The Revenue Officer can establish this status after reviewing your Form 433-A. We prepare that form to accurately reflect your financial hardship.
Offer in Compromise. If you qualify, you may be able to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed. When a Revenue Officer is assigned, the Offer in Compromise must be filed through them. The officer will confirm your compliance, review your financials, and forward the offer with their recommendation on whether it should be accepted. Austin & Larson prepares strong Offer applications and knows how to present your case favorably.
Penalty Abatement. If you have reasonable cause for failing to file or pay on time, the IRS may reduce or remove penalties. This can significantly lower your total balance before any payment plan is calculated.
State of Michigan Resolution. Both the IRS and the State of Michigan assign Revenue Officers to delinquent accounts. Austin & Larson handles representation before both agencies. Michigan offers its own installment agreements and Offer in Compromise program, and we can pursue resolution with both authorities at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Revenue Officer Representation in Ann Arbor, MI

Can an IRS Revenue Officer arrest me?

No. An IRS Revenue Officer cannot arrest you. Revenue Officers handle civil tax collection, not criminal enforcement. Their job is to collect the money you owe, not to pursue criminal charges. If the IRS suspects criminal tax fraud or evasion, that case would be referred to IRS Criminal Investigation, which uses Special Agents who are separate from Revenue Officers. If a Revenue Officer has contacted you, they are there to collect a tax debt, not to make an arrest.

What should I do if an IRS Revenue Officer shows up at my house?

Stay calm, be polite, and do not invite them inside. Get their name and contact information, and tell them you want to hire a representative before discussing anything further. Then call Austin & Larson Tax Resolution at (866) 668-2953 immediately. We will file Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) so the Revenue Officer must stop contacting you and communicate only through us. Do not provide detailed financial information or answer questions about your income or assets during the initial visit.

What is the difference between a Revenue Officer and a Revenue Agent?

A Revenue Agent is an IRS auditor who reviews your tax returns to determine if you owe additional tax. A Revenue Officer is an IRS collector who pursues tax debt you already owe. Revenue Agents examine your filings. Revenue Officers enforce payment through liens, levies, wage garnishment, and property seizures. If you are dealing with a Revenue Officer, the IRS has already determined your balance and is now focused on collecting it.

Do I really need a lawyer or Enrolled Agent to deal with a Revenue Officer?

You are not legally required to hire representation, but it is strongly recommended. Revenue Officers are trained IRS collectors who handle dozens of cases. They know the tax code and IRS collection procedures far better than most taxpayers. Without representation, you risk agreeing to a payment plan you cannot afford, providing financial information that works against you, or missing deadlines that trigger levies and seizures. Austin & Larson Tax Resolution has IRS Enrolled Agents, Tax Attorneys, and CPAs who know exactly how Revenue Officers operate and how to get you the best available resolution.

Can a Revenue Officer seize my house or property?

A Revenue Officer has the legal authority to seize and sell real estate, vehicles, and other assets to satisfy a tax debt. However, property seizures are typically a last resort after other collection methods have failed. If you are represented by a professional who responds to deadlines and engages in good-faith negotiations, the risk of seizure drops significantly. Austin & Larson works to prevent enforcement actions by proactively pursuing resolution before the officer escalates.

What if I already spoke with the Revenue Officer before hiring representation?

That is a common situation, and it is not too late to get help. Many of our clients come to us after an initial conversation with a Revenue Officer. Once we file Form 2848, all future communication must go through us regardless of what was discussed previously. We will review what you told the officer, assess whether any information could be used against you, and take over from that point forward.

How long does it take to resolve a Revenue Officer case?

The timeline varies depending on how many returns need to be filed, the complexity of your financial situation, and which resolution option you pursue. Simple cases with one or two unfiled years can be resolved in a few months. More complex cases involving business taxes, multiple years of unfiled returns, or an Offer in Compromise may take six months to a year. Austin & Larson keeps you updated throughout the process and works to meet every Revenue Officer deadline to avoid unnecessary delays.

What if the Revenue Officer is being aggressive or unfair?

You have the right to request a conference with the Revenue Officer’s group manager if you believe they are not following proper IRS procedures. You also have the right to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for help. Austin & Larson Tax Resolution has extensive knowledge of the IRS Internal Revenue Manual collection procedures that Revenue Officers must follow. If an officer is acting outside those procedures, we challenge them directly and escalate through proper channels.

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