Frequently Asked Questions

What type of documents will the IRS ask for?

Paycheck stubs, bank statements, mortgage or rent payments ,utility bills, etc. We will provide you with a checklist of documentation to collect in assisting us in settling your IRS debt.

What are your fees?

Our fees for an Offer in Compromise are reasonably based on a flat rate and the terms of our engagement will be presented to you during your FREE consultation.

Is an Offer in Compromise best for me?

That depends on your situation, which is different for each taxpayer. That is why we offer a FREE consultation to assess your needs and to recommend what would be best for you in your particular situation. The OIC does NOT blemish your credit. In fact once the Offer is accepted and paid, all liens are released. We suggest that you complete our pre-qualification form and send it back to us, or call us directly so that we can analyze your situation.

If I claim my daughter as a dependent because she is a full-time college student, can she claim herself as a dependent when she files her return?

If you can claim your daughter as a dependent on your income tax return, she cannot claim herself on her income tax return.

  • If an individual is filing his or her own tax return, and the individual can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return, the individual cannot claim his or her own personal exemption.
  • In this case, your daughter should check the box on her return indicating that someone else can claim her as a dependent.

Is there an age limit on claiming my child as a dependent?

To be claimed as your dependent, your child must meet the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test.  While the child’s age is a factor in the qualifying child test, it is not in the qualifying relative test. An individual meeting the qualifying relative test may be of any age.

As long as all of the following tests are met, you may claim a dependency exemption for your child:

  1. Qualifying child or qualifying relative test,
  2. Dependent taxpayer test,
  3. Citizen or resident test, and
  4. Joint return test.

Even though I am making installment payments, can I do an Offer in Compromise?

Yes! And in most cases the installment agreement can be suspended while the IRS is evaluating your Offer in Compromise.

Will I have to speak to the IRS if you take my case?

Nope! I will handle your case entirely. All communications with the IRS will be made directly through myself as an Enrolled Agent.

What is an Enrolled Agent?

An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before.

What if I don’t have the money to pay what I owe?

As an Enrolled Agent who is experienced in the matters of back taxes. By analyzing your situation, we can determine your best course of action. For many taxpayers with no ability to pay, this typically leads to an Offer in Compromise. For others we can negotiate a payoff amount that can save you thousands of dollars.

How do I know if I have to file quarterly individual estimated tax payments?

You must make estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:

  • You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
  • You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:
    •  90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return, or
    • 100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return.  (Your prior year tax return must cover all 12 months.)

There are special rules for:

  • Higher income taxpayers
  • Farmers and fishermen
  • Nonresident aliens
  • Estates and trusts

When the Internal Revenue Service approves an Offer in Compromise, what happens next?

You may have up to ninety days or 2 years to make payment to the Internal Revenue Service of the offered amount. Once the IRS has received payment, they will release all tax liens, and there is no further back tax liability.

How long does it take for an Offer in Compromise to be approved by the IRS?

Depending on the IRS caseload, it generally takes eight to ten months. But no matter how long it takes the Internal Revenue Service to review the Offer in Compromise, during that time all further collection activities are suspended.