If you are facing tax trouble, your primary concern should be to seek professional help from a qualified tax professional.
Our tax trouble section will assist you in this process. Please keep in mind that our articles are not intended to be a substitute for obtaining expert tax advice from a qualified tax professional.
The articles in this section will help familiarize you with the IRS and some of its methods and practices.
Common Taxpayer Issues
Our articles cover the following taxpayer topics which include the following:
- Taxpayer Unable to Pay Their Taxes
- Taxpayer Receives IRS Audit Letter
- The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
- IRS Hardship and Payment Plans
- IRS Collection Process
- Tax Appeals
Types of Tax Professionals
This section includes articles on the different types of tax professionals you might consider retaining:
Retaining the most appropriate type of tax professional depends on your current and near-future financial conditions and the type of tax liability you may be facing.
Selecting A Tax Professional
Factors To Consider
Our tax articles will assist you in determining the type of tax professional depending on your needs and budget:
- Cost: Tax settlement services typically charge a percentage of the taxes you owe. Accountants, certified financial planners and tax lawyers usually charge an hourly fee, often requiring an upfront retainer.
- Experience: Tax settlement services typically employ staff members who have some experience working with the IRS. A certified public accountant will likely have considerable IRS experience and a deep understanding of tax rules and the types of IRS actions you can expect from them. A tax lawyer is usually used where there is a possibility of being accused of criminal conduct and usually represents high-worth individuals and corporations. A certified financial planner varies in their actual tax level experience and training.
- Services Offered: Tax settlement services typically offer to negotiate settlements with the IRS on your behalf. Accountants and tax lawyers can represent you in an audit, help you file amended tax returns, and negotiate settlements with the IRS. It is common for financial planners to have basic tax skills and if not, this person will refer you to a financial planner that does.
- Reputation: It is critically important to thoroughly research the reputation and licensure of any tax, financial planning professional or settlement service before retaining their services.
Paying Back Taxes – Nominal Sum
If you owe a relatively small sum of back taxes and are confident you can pay your IRS debt with a modest payment plan, you might choose to have a professional tax preparer assist you in filling out the IRS forms.
Articles on Tax Evasion and Criminal Liability
If you are concerned that you may owe the IRS a substantial sum of money and suspect you may be accused of tax evasion, you should immediately retain the services of a qualified tax attorney to represent you.
If you are facing tax problems, seeking professional help as soon as possible should be your priority. The sooner you receive expert guidance, the more likely you will resolve your tax issues promptly, fairly, and professionally.
