We get this question a lot from clients and those that are simply seeking information.  Sometimes its less of a question and more of a statement, something like –


That’s fine, but you may not get too far that way.

The basic answer to the question is… pay it, then ask for relief.  If you can’t pay it all at once, set up a monthly Installment Agreement, then ask for relief.  

Tax Compliance Top Priority

The IRS wants to see a taxpayer in compli...

Last month, January 2018, the IRS started reporting taxpayers with “Seriously Delinquent Tax Debt” to the State Department.  In this case, seriously delinquent means $50,000+ adjusted yearly for inflation.  So, if you fit the criteria below, your passport could be denied, revoked or limited.

• Owe $50,000+
• Notice of Federal Tax Lien has been filed, or
• A levy has been issued

What’s the solution?  Here are a few options.

• Installment Agreement
• Offer in Compromise
• Currently Not Collectible status

Don’t let...

If you have a formal Installment Agreement with the IRS and are tired of sending in checks each month, one solution is the Payroll Deduction Agreement.

If your employer will agree to it, use IRS form 2159 to have your monthly IRS Installment Agreement deducted directly from your paychecks.  This may decrease your chances of submitting a late payment or missing a payment altogether.

Contact Fresh Start Tax Relief today.  Our fee is $499 no matter how much you owe the IRS.

IRS Online Installment Agreement

The IRS now allows individual taxpayers to set up a monthly payment agreement to satisfy a back tax liability online.  If you owe $50,000 or less and want to set up a formal Installment Agreement with the IRS without talking to the Service on the phone, here's your chance.

Before paying someone else to set up your Installment Agreement, try to do it yourself directly through the IRS Online Payment Agreement Application.

If that doesn't work or you want help ...

The IRS Installment Agreement is a popular choice among taxpayers attempting to resolve a federal back tax debt.  Here are the different types of Installment Agreements available.

• Guaranteed Installment Agreement
• Streamlined Installment Agreement
• Fresh Start Initiative Streamlined Installment Agreement
• Non-Streamlined Installment Agreement
• Partial Payment Installment Agreement
• Direct Debit Installment Agreement
• Payroll Deduction Installment Agreement

 Contact Fresh Start Tax Relie...

Did the IRS recently terminate your Installment Agreement?  If your IRS termination letter is dated less than 30 days ago, you may be able to Appeal it by submitting a Collection Appeal Program (CAP) request on form 9423. 

We recommend catching up your missed payment or correcting whatever issue may have caused your IA to default in the first place before submitting the CAP.  In addition, you may want to simply call the IRS once you've corrected the issue to see if a representative can rein...

At the end of 2014 Fresh Start Tax Relief was hired by a local Chicagoan.  He lives two blocks from our office.  A balance due on his 2013 1040 tax return prompted him to call.
 
He already had a formal Installment Agreement in place on a $2,500 tax debt from 2010 and wasn't sure how to handle an additional $10,000 tax debt from 2013.

Here's what we were able to help him figure out.

• His accountant did not eFile his 2013 tax return as promised.
• He will be able to include his new 2013 balance due ...

What makes choosing a tax resolution company so difficult?  I think it's all of the different promises, guarantees and options you hear about on the T.V., radio, online and from salesmen over the phone.  I've seen a commercial that said IRS tax debts can be settled for 10% of the total amount owed.  A radio ad I recently heard stated that new government programs are available to lower tax debts substantially and if I owe $10,000 or more I could qualify.

The problem with this is that the IRS d...

When you're requesting the removal of IRS penalties, there are a few things that you should do beforehand.  The first priority when resolving and reducing your IRS tax debt is gaining compliance.  It's a good idea to be in tax compliance before you request the removal of penalties.  The IRS likes to see that the problem that caused you to fall out of tax compliance and accrue the penalty has been fixed.  It is difficult to sell the IRS a reasonable cause abatement request when you are still n...