Tax relief negotiation includes working out agreements for taxes
owed and clearing up mistakes made by the IRS. Unfortunately, it can be
difficult proving the IRS made a mistake, because they’re stubborn to
the end. The IRS negotiates from the standpoint that they are right and
you are wrong and that there is no common ground.
Crossroads
Tax relief negotiation is about finding a point of reconciliation
between you and the IRS. When you owe back taxes, life can get very
difficult once the tax collection process begins. The automated IRS
collection system alone is a nightmare producing letter after letter
with no abatement.
Once the letters stop, the notice of lien usually appears in your
mailbox next. Unless you act quickly, the following steps will include
levies and seizures. It’s a distressing situation that can be very
frightening. The old story of David and Goliath comes to mind.
Tax relief negotiation in the case of back taxes can take many
different routes. In many cases, a simple installment agreement can
make life much nicer. In some cases, the negotiation process may be
more intense in that other forms of tax relief are sought.
These other forms of tax relief include making an “Offer In
Compromise,” filing bankruptcy or getting a levy or lien released so
you can borrow money. An expert tax negotiator will pursue all avenues
of resolution with the IRS while always keeping your best interests as
the focus.
At the crossroads, tax relief is found. When the IRS agrees to a
payment plan or resolution of another kind, the collection letters
stop.
Wrong Turns
Of course, the IRS can make a mistake too. You have to prove they
made a mistake which means you need tax relief negotiation in this case
also. Some of the mistakes the IRS makes include:
- Lost tax returns
- Payments posted incorrectly
- Computer errors
- Lost business tax forms
In this case tax relief negotiation is about getting the error
corrected so that your account balance is correct. Naturally, the IRS
doesn’t like to admit when it makes a mistake which is why a tax
representative is highly recommended. Just like during the tax
collection process, the IRS always approaches initial discussions about
taxes owed from the viewpoint that they are right and you are wrong so
pay up!
When you have any kind of tax account problem, you need to make sure
you have the best representation possible. Experience negotiating with
the IRS really does make a difference in the outcome. You don’t have to
face the IRS alone, and you don’t have to pay taxes that are not
calculated correctly.