If you feel that the IRS has done injustice to you during your tax audit, or calculation of your taxes, or has been too harsh in levying penalties, then you could go in for an appeal against their decision. With the right information and the right professionals backing you, getting an appeal in your favor is possible.
When you get a final notice on any of the above problems, you will also get a right to appeal along with it. You can exercise that right. Hire a Tax Attorney who has experience in handling appeals. Get a cross check done if you are hiring a new Tax Attorney. Your Tax Attorney should have knowledge about the correct documents needed to win this appeal, hence saving you a lot of time. You can send the IRS a letter, protesting their decision and a request for a hearing. This normally takes around 90 days and if you do not get a date within that time, then you can also give them a reminder. This move has already started saving you money since you will not have to pay any taxes for the next 2 or 3 months. Even if do not win your case fully, you can still save some amount if you get some relief in your appeal.
The next step is in getting your documents ready to get the appeal decided in your favor. Through your Tax Attorney, you could also request your IRS tax auditor's file under the Freedom Of Information Act. This will provide you with the reason for the notice. Take heart in the fact that most of the appeals end up with the taxpayer being satisfied emotionally or financially.
Send all the documents by registered mail and file the receipts and acknowledgments related to the appeal in a separate folder, which can be accessed easily for future reference. The IRS will then process your appeal request and provide you a date and place for the meeting. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents with your tax attorney. On the decided date, you along with your tax attorney will have to meet the IRS Appeals Officer in his office and if everything goes well, you can settle for a compromise figure right there.
That will entail you to sign up IRS Form 870, which basically means that you agree to pay the compromised amount and you will not put up a challenge regarding that particular case, in future. In case you and your IRS Appeals Officer cannot agree on a figure, then you will have to take the matter to court, which can be a long drawn battle. Take this step only after seriously considering the pros and cons of your case and after discussing it with your tax attorney.
You can deal with an IRS appeal yourself, but if you are not aware of all the clauses, then it is better to hire the services of an efficient Tax Attorney. A Tax Attorney will also indicate to your IRS Appeals Officer that you too are serious about solving your tax problem as early as possible.
Tax Problems With Irs
Is there really anything more devastating to your life than tax problems? Of course, there are other things that could occur in your life that will cause just as much stress, but you have to admit that having issues with the Internal Revenue Service is not something that most people just brush off. In fact, these kinds of problems have the ability to affect all aspects of your life.
The stress that you will have with tax problems will only compound the problem. Decisive action is needed to get the tax problem under control so that you can eliminate the stress. However, it can be difficult to take decisive action when you are facing an agency like the Internal Revenue Service. The first thing that you should do is enlist some help on your side. This will have an immediate effect on your level of stress. Look for a representative who can handle the tax problem and you will find that you feel better almost immediately.
Of course, just hiring someone to help you with the issue is not enough to completely eliminate the stress that you are experiencing. Just because you are dealing with a difficult problem does not mean that you should neglect your health. Make sure that you are eating a proper diet and getting exercise and rest in sufficient quantities. This will help you to think about the problem clearly and find a resolution to your tax problem.
Do some research on taxpayer rights and the representatives that you can use to handle your particular situation. Don't look to the Internal Revenue Service to give you the information that you will need. They are only in the business of collecting from you and will not offer you the kind of help that will benefit you the most. Find a reputable Enrolled Agent, CPA or attorney who is experienced with the kind of tax problems that you are facing. Check out the firm's favorable rating with their clients and the Better Business Bureau and pick the one with the best track record.
When tax problems are allowed to get out of hand, the government will take a variety of actions against you. Do not make the mistake of believing that the government will not follow through on their threats. They will garnish your paycheck, Social Security or retirement check and make it impossible for you to live a normal life. They can seize your property and sell it to pay any amount that you owe. While all of this is stress inducing, it is also very true. Get a representative on your side that will help you to protect your assets and begin paying back any money that you do owe. You should also look for someone who can look into your tax situation and determine if you do indeed owe the money. The IRS makes mistakes and you may not owe the amount they are trying to collect.
The best way to make sure that your tax problems don't ruin your life and cause emotional damage is to have some help with your situation. Do your part and research the company that you are thinking about hiring. Taking charge of the problem is the best way to eliminate all of the stress that you are feeling. For more information visit http://www.ustaxsolutionsinc.com.
Both Kris Koonar & Jackie Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.