Most people who have had the misfortune of getting behind with the IRS have heard about tax settlements, otherwise known as Offers in Compromise (OIC), as a method for repaying far less than the full amount owed. Many fewer realize that there is an alternate method that can effectuate a […]
Can The IRS Take My Social Security, IRA, 401K, Pension and Retirement?
Many people who owe taxes to the IRS are terrified that the IRS will swoop in and take their retirement nest egg or retirement income, thereby leaving them destitute for their golden years. Can the IRS really do that? Generally, such assets are “off limits” to creditors thanks to federal […]
6 IRS Collection Notices You Absolutely Need to Notice
Getting behind on your tax obligations to the IRS is very stressful. Much of that stress stems from IRS collection notices. Not only is a delinquent taxpayer’s mailbox flooded with IRS mail, but that mail almost always contains scary, bolded “PAY NOW” demands, confusing language, and seemingly conflicting numbers. Clients […]
Offer In Compromise Jaw-dropping Success Stories
Most of us have watched a TV commercial or heard a radio ad promising that a phone call to an 800 number will result in settling your tax debt for “pennies on the dollar.” Is this too good to be true? The truth is that most individuals and businesses who […]
IRS Final Notice of Intent to Levy (FNIL)
If you or your business had the misfortune of winding up in collections with the Internal Revenue Service, you’ve probably been receiving what might seem like an overwhelming amount of mail from the IRS regarding your tax liability. It is not uncommon for people in this situation to feel a […]
Can I Resolve Back Taxes By Qualifying For Currently Not Collectible Status?
Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in this life but death and taxes. I’ll agree that none of us will cheat death. But I may quibble with Mr. Franklin on the issue of whether or not you have to pay all of your taxes. Under the right set […]
Fortress Financial Services Featured On Moving America Forward Hosted By William Shatner
Earlier this year, I received a voice message from a producer for a television show called Moving America Forward, hosted by William Shatner. The message stated that they were interested in speaking with me about possibly appearing on their nationally broadcasted television show. Moving America Forward Interviews Fortress Financial Services […]
Can My Business Settle its IRS Tax Liability with an In Business Offer in Compromise?
When the Internal Revenue Service created the Offer in Compromise program, the candidates they probably had in mind were those people who were struggling to keep the lights on, feed and clothe themselves and their children, and keep a roof over their heads. The ideal candidate, they most likely surmised, […]
How To Defend Yourself Against The Dirty Dozen Tax Scams
Each year, the IRS publishes its “Dirty Dozen” tax scams, which is essentially a list of the biggest, most widespread tax-related scams. Typically, the lion’s share of the “Dirty Dozen” consists of schemes perpetrated by individuals and businesses trying to scam the IRS by way of abusive tax shelters, hiding […]
Taxpayer Advocate Service: Utilizing the Taxpayer Advocate to Resolve IRS Tax Liabilities
The Internal Revenue Service is one of the largest government agencies in the world. With around 90,000 employees and a budget in the billions, it’s truly an empire within our government, and its rules and regulations are not wholly known by any one single human being. Therefore, as you can […]
Top 5 Ways To Reduce An IRS Tax Liability
So, something in life or business didn’t go according to plan, and now you’re faced with an IRS tax liability. While few people relish being a collection target of America’s most formidable creditor, there may be a silver lining. You may have options which could significantly reduce the amount that […]
Barking Up the IRS Chain of Command – Getting Results by Working the Bureaucracy
Recently I was engaged in a heated discussion with an IRS Appeals Settlement Officer. The subject was an Offer in Compromise (Tax Settlement) I had filed on a client’s behalf. The IRS did not want to approve our Offer because they noticed that my client had been late with a […]
How to Get a Tax Pro to Settle Your Tax Liability (OIC) Offer in Compromise
If you or your business have gotten behind with the IRS, a tax settlement, also known as an Offer in Compromise (OIC), might be the best way to get rid of your tax liability—if you qualify. There are three general categories of OICs: Doubt as to Liability (I don’t actually […]
The IRS Levied My Bank Account! What Do I Do?
Perhaps no other action taken by the IRS is more disruptive, surprising, and panic-inducing than an IRS levy on your checking or savings account. With one notice sent to your bank, the IRS can seize every penny you’ve got, and apply it toward your tax bill. To make it worse, […]
How to Sell an Asset That is Subject to a Notice of Federal Tax Lien
If you owe taxes to the IRS, a tax lien automatically arises against you and attaches to just about everything you own. This is sometimes called a secret lien since the government’s claim does not initially appear in any public records. Rather, the lien automatically comes into existence when the […]
It’s Almost April 15th, and I Can’t Pay My 1040 Tax. What Do I Do?
April 15th is right around the corner, and if you expect to owe 1040 income tax, but don’t have the resources with which to pay it, you are in the same boat as many Americans. First of all, don’t panic. Federal officers are not going to show up at your […]
IRS Offer in Compromise: Common Challenges to Approval
You have read the Form 656, IRS Offer in Compromise booklet, the rules under the Fresh Start Initiative, and perhaps even hired an attorney or other representative to help you submit your Offer in Compromise to the IRS. You feel you have sent in a complete Offer, with all documentation attached. […]
Can I Avoid Additional Tax Penalties by Designating Payments to My IRS Tax Liability?
Answer: Depending upon the specifics of your situation, it may be possible to avoid hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in penalties simply by “designating” voluntary payments applied toward your tax liability. Keep in mind that payments made in accordance with a formalized installment agreement are not considered voluntary, so […]
Personal Liability for Unpaid Employer Withholding Taxes
Can I be held personally liable for unpaid 941 employer withholding taxes? What can be done to avoid this/protect personal assets/income? If you are an owner, officer, check-signer or decision-maker at a business that is behind on 941 taxes, you are at risk of being personally assessed with a penalty […]
Will the IRS Seize Assets or Force the Sale of Them?
Will the IRS take your assets or force you to liquidate assets in order to satisfy your IRS back tax liability? The IRS can, with a few limited exemptions, seize your assets to satisfy your IRS back taxes. However, if you have competent legal representation, this should not happen to […]