Your Tax Advocate

A federal tax lien is the government’s legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt. The lien protects the government’s interest in all your property, including real estate, personal property and financial assets.  

You can avoid a federal tax lien by simply filing and paying all your taxes in full and on time. If you can’t file or pay on time, don’t ignore the letters or correspondence you get from the IRS. If you can’t pay the full amount you owe, payment options are available to help you settle your tax debt over time. 

Not filing a federal tax return can be costly — whether you end up owing more or missing out on a refund. The IRS may also impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions on persons who fail to file returns. 

If you owe tax and your return was not filed by the due date, including extensions, you may be subject to the failure to file penalty, unless you have reasonable cause for not filing. If you did not pay your tax in full by the due date for the return, not including extensions of time to file, you also may be subject to the failure to pay penalty, unless you have reasonable cause for your failure to pay. Additionally, interest is charged on taxes not paid by the due date; even if you have an extension of time to file. Interest is also charged on penalties.

You may qualify for relief from penalties if you made an effort to comply with the requirements of the law, but were unable to meet your tax obligations, due to circumstances beyond your control.   

Penalties eligible for penalty relief include:

• Failing to file a tax return
• Failing to pay on time
• Failing to deposit certain taxes as required
• Other penalties as applicable.

It is important to know that the IRS does not abate interest for reasonable cause or as first-time relief. Interest is charged by law and will continue until your account is fully paid. 

An OIC allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability, or doing so creates a financial hardship. the IRS will consider your unique set of facts and circumstances:

• Ability to pay
• Income
• Expenses
• Asset equity

The IRS will generally approve an OIC when the amount offered represents the most they can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. It is important to explore all other payment options and understanding the implications before submitting an OIC.   

In addition to representing you and navigating the IRS with your tax issue, we will also represent you and assist with dealing with the state taxing authorities.    

A levy is a legal seizure of your property to satisfy a tax debt. Levies are different from liens. A lien is a legal claim against property to secure payment of the tax debt, while a levy actually takes the property to satisfy the tax debt. Customers have questions, you have answers.   If you do not pay your taxes (or make arrangements to settle your debt), and the IRS determines that a levy is the next appropriate action, the IRS may levy any property or right to property you own or have an interest in. 

For instance, the IRS could levy property that is yours, but is held by someone else (such as your wages, retirement accounts, dividends, bank accounts, licenses, rental income, accounts receivables, the cash loan value of your life insurance, or commissions). Or, the IRS could seize and sell property that you hold (such as your car, boat or house). 

If you owe $50,000 or less or if your business owes $25,000 or less, you may qualify for a Streamlined Installment Agreement (SIA). The IRS calls these installment agreements “streamlined” because they don't require verification of your assets, expenses, liabilities, or income.  

Even though this process is streamlined, tax payers must attest that their conduct was not willful.  Non-willful conduct is conduct that is due to negligence, inadvertence, or mistake or conduct that is the result of a good faith misunderstanding of the requirements of the law.