You should contact a tax attorney immediately if: an IRS Revenue Officer visits your home or workplace, you owe back taxes you cannot pay, you receive confusing IRS notices with deadlines, you have complex tax questions, or you want to file an Offer in Compromise.
5 Situations Requiring Professional Tax Help
1. IRS Revenue Officer Contact
When: An IRS Revenue Officer appears at your home or work
Why hire an attorney: Revenue Officers can file liens and levies. They have extensive knowledge of IRS rules, so you need equal representation to ensure fair treatment.
2. Unpayable Back Tax Debt
Available options: Multiple installment agreement types, non-collectible status, or Offer in Compromise settlement programs
Attorney benefit: Reviews your financial situation to determine the best resolution strategy for your specific circumstances.
3. Confusing IRS Notices
Common notice types: Balance reminders, proposed return changes, information requests, levy threats
Critical factor: Many notices contain strict deadlines for appeals or adjustments that you cannot afford to miss.
4. Complex Tax Questions
Situations requiring guidance: Starting a business, running payroll, property inheritance/sales, rental property reporting
Risk of DIY approach: Incorrect reporting leads to costly penalties, interest, and potential audit issues.
5. Offer in Compromise Applications
Reality check: Despite radio ads, OIC approval is complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive documentation and potentially 2+ years of IRS review
Professional advantage: Attorneys understand IRS financial analysis rules and can negotiate optimal settlements.
Key Warning Signs You Need Help Now
- Immediate action required: Revenue Officer contact, notice deadlines, levy threats
- Financial overwhelm: Cannot pay tax debt, unsure of available options
- Complexity beyond DIY: Business tax questions, property transactions, OIC applications
Bottom line: Tax attorneys level the playing field against IRS expertise and can prevent costly mistakes that worsen your situation.
1. An IRS Revenue Officer Has Come to Your House or Work
If you have been contacted by an IRS Revenue Officer, it may be in your best interest to contact a tax attorney before attempting to work with the Revenue Officer on your own. IRS Revenue Officers have the authority to set-up resolution on your tax balances. They also have the ability to file liens and levies against you. These Revenue Officers are very knowledgeable about the IRS rules and regulations. It is important that you have someone on your side that is just as knowledgeable and experienced. A Jackson, MI Tax Attorney will handle all phone calls and correspondence with the IRS Revenue Officer for you and will help ensure that you are treated fairly by the IRS.
2. You Owe IRS Back-Taxes You Are Unable To Pay
Do you know that the IRS has multiple different options for resolving your IRS back-taxes? There are multiple different installment agreements based on your ability to pay. They also offer a non-collectible status for taxpayers that are unable to make a current payment. For those taxpayers that qualify, the IRS even has a program that will settle your taxes for less than you owe. All of these programs have different terms and conditions. A tax attorney can review your situation and help you determine the best option for your tax situation.
3. You Have Received an IRS Notice That You Don’t Understand
The IRS sends out notices for many different reasons. While some may just be reminding you of a balance owed, others may contain important information regarding proposed changes to your tax returns, additional information needed, or upcoming levy threats. Many of these notices contain strict deadlines for adjustments or appeal rights. If you receive an IRS notice that you weren’t expecting or that you don’t understand, you should contact a Jackson, MI Tax Attorney right away. It is important to have an experience attorney review your notice and alert you to any upcoming deadlines, adjustments, or appeal rights. A Tax Attorney can also help you respond to the notice and correspond with the IRS on your behalf.
4. You Have Questions Regarding Your Tax Obligations
Are you starting a new business? Do you have employees that you need to run payroll for? Did you inherit or sell property? Are you unsure how to report your rental expenses for a tenant? The tax code is very complicated, with many rules and exceptions to those rules. Incorrectly reporting an item or accidentally leaving something off of your return can lead to big tax problems along with costly interest and penalties. It is not a good idea to try to guess how to handle a situation that you are unsure of. A tax attorney can advise you on how to report different situations and what items you need to keep copies of in case the IRS later audits your return. For any upcoming changes in your life, it is a good idea to go meet with a tax attorney to review and make any changes needed so you don’t end up in tax trouble later.
5. You Want to File an Offer in Compromise with the IRS
The IRS currently offers a program that allows qualifying taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than they owe. You have likely heard radio ads discussing this program. However, the ads don’t tell you that getting an accepted Offer in Compromise with the IRS is a complex and time-consuming process. There are many IRS forms that all need to be properly completed and supporting documentation must be provided to the IRS. The IRS then has up to two years to review and make a determination on the Offer in Compromise. You have to negotiate with an IRS Offer Specialist and may have to take the case up to appeals. A Jackson, MI Tax Attorney can do a preliminary review of your financial situation to determine if you may qualify for an Offer in Compromise. They can then help you complete all of the IRS forms and will handle the negotiations with the IRS Offer Specialist and Appeals if necessary. They are aware of the IRS financial analysis rules and can help negotiate you the best tax settlement available.
Many people find dealing with the IRS to be an overwhelming and frightening experience. They are unaware of what the IRS is going to do and what their options are for resolving their IRS issues. A tax attorney can explain your options to you and help you navigate through the complex IRS system.
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