Nobody wants to be in a position of owing money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It’s serious and can be stressful. While some individuals are tempted to ignore the entire situation, that’s just about the worst decision you can make. Getting on top of the situation immediately is a much better plan of action.
How You’ll Know You Owe the IRS Money
The first thing that will clue you in to the fact that you owe money is a letter from the IRS that states the amount due. Notifications will continue to come and may sound more intimidating each time you read them. Eventually, you’ll start receiving certified mail, which means you should be taking action.
If you owe money to the IRS and cannot pay the amount due, Guardian Tax Law’s tax attorneys in Tucson can help. Our tax professionals offer IRS tax help and have over 10 years of experience determining how to handle each specific case. All you have to do is give us a call so that we can review your case and determine your options.
In most cases, we are able to find a resolution that is appealing to both you and the IRS. However, unlike other bills you can delay paying, taxes owed to the IRS do not work this way. They will not stop trying to contact you, and ignoring the situation never helps.
What To Know About IRS Collections
The IRS takes it very seriously when someone doesn’t pay their taxes. The IRS collection process is an increasingly serious set of steps taken to ensure you comply with tax laws and continue to do so in the future.
The interest and penalties can be extreme, which is intended to be a deterrent to getting into a tax debt situation. When you notice liabilities that increase by 25% to more than 40%, it’s more likely you’ll stay on the straight and narrow with your taxes.
In addition, the IRS can take extreme actions like levying your bank accounts, garnishing your wages, and placing tax liens against your property. All sorts of measures may be taken to ensure you pay the money you owe.
However, the IRS also gives you the chance to resolve the issue as long as you stay within reason. Having Guardian Tax Law by your side will make this even more likely. Our team of professionals are experts at explaining your circumstances in legal terms that the IRS understands and respects. In fact, it is often the case that we know the tax rules and regulations better than the IRS agents do.
Options For Paying IRS Collections
There are several options for handling IRS collections. The first is simply to pay the amount in full. If you can’t do that, you can ask for an extension of a few months to pay back the total amount.
If the liability cannot be paid in three or four months, consider proposing a settlement or choosing a payment plan. The latter means you make regular payments to the IRS to reduce the amount of money you owe. Settlements reduce the amount you have to pay.
For those who need additional options, your debt can be put into non-collectible status. This requires documenting your current financial hardship and providing the IRS with financial information to back up your claim. If approved, you’ll be given a temporary reprieve from paying for a certain amount of time. This often lasts anywhere from six months to two years, and the interest is still accruing.
The last option is bankruptcy, but this is often not recommended since it has a huge impact on your entire life. However, if you are currently in IRS collections, you need to take action quickly. The best way to do that is by speaking with a tax attorney in Tucson. Guardian Tax Law offers free consultations to review your case, explain your rights, and discuss your options.
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