IRS Revenue Officer Representation In Brighton, MI

So, what do you do if a Revenue Officer comes to your house? What should you do if an IRS agent leaves a business card on your door? First and foremost, if you speak with the Revenue Officer, make sure you are civil and polite. Do not be rude, aggressive, or threatening. However, you also should not invite them in and engage in a detailed conversation. Instead, get their contact information and let them know that you would like to be represented before moving forward with them. At that point, end the conversation or if they leave their card on your door instead, contact Austin & Larson Tax Resolution to have our experienced representative follow up with the IRS on your behalf.

A revenue officer has the power to establish installment agreements and currently non-collectable status on your account. If you are filing an Offer in Compromise, the Revenue Officer will request that it be filed through them. They will confirm that you are in compliance before forwarding the Offer. They also will send notes on whether they feel the Offer should be accepted or not.

Revenue agents can issue tax liens and levies or initiate seizures of your property. They can also request substitute returns prepared, or send your return out for an audit. If that occurs, Austin & Larson can certainly help you in an IRS audit.

Although each case is unique, there are common items that will be requested from Revenue Officers. After making initial contact, a Revenue Officer will provide you with a written “Summary of Contact.” This letter will state the items that the revenue officer is requesting and the tax deadlines for providing this information. Some of the more commonly requested information are outstanding tax returns; form 433-A; supporting information for your financial information; and proof that you are in compliance with your current year’s taxes. The IRS Revenue Officer will require you to file all of your tax returns through them. If you are required to make estimates or tax deposits, they will ask you to send the payments through them or require you to send proof of deposit if you use the IRS EFTPS system.

There are many different reasons that the IRS may assign a Revenue Officer to your tax debt case. If an individual Michigan taxpayer owes over $250,000.00, that case may be assigned to a Revenue Officer. Also, if you have unfiled returns or a complicated business structure, the case may be sent to a Revenue Officer. Lastly, a Revenue Officer may be assigned to a business account if the business is unable to pay its tax balance in full.

Although some Revenue Officers are fair with taxpayers, many are not. We have seen instances of Revenue Officers issuing tax levies and then going on vacation for two weeks or not responding to phone calls, making it almost impossible for the taxpayer to get into contact with someone to get a tax levy released. We have worked with Revenue Officers who want to “punish” taxpayers for not paying their taxes. The revenue agent will try to levy the taxpayer after they have provided financial information showing that they are uncollectible and are facing financial hardship. We have seen Revenue Officers attempt to manipulate taxpayers’ income and expenses in an attempt to put them into high payment plans that they are unable to afford.

Many Michigan taxpayers seek resolution after attempting to work with the Revenue Officer on their own. Some have even been told by Revenue Officers that they did not need representation because the Revenue Officer would instruct them on what to do. After providing the requested information, they find themselves in a situation where the Revenue Officer has issued levies against their employer and bank accounts for back taxes with no idea how to get the tax levy released.

IRS Revenue Officers can be aggressive and difficult to work with. You may find yourself in a situation where you need additional time to provide the requested information. However, if your Revenue Officer does not agree, they may just send out levies because you did not meet your deadline.

A Revenue Officer being assigned to your tax debt case is a serious situation that you should not try to handle on your own. At Austin & Larson Tax Resolution, we have both the knowledge and experience to expertly handle an IRS or State of Michigan Revenue Officer. We have an extensive knowledge of the collection standards and financial analysis rules that Revenue Officers must follow when examining your ability to pay. We also know what to do when a Revenue Officer does not abide by the IRS collection procedures.

When dealing with an IRS revenue officer, you need someone on your side who knows what they are doing and will fight to get you the best resolution available.