Key Things to Look for in a Tax Relief Firm
No one wants to be on the bad side of the IRS, yet that is where millions of taxpayers find themselves each and every year. As enforcement efforts ramp up at the IRS, the number of letters and communications landing in mailboxes is continuing to increase and one of them could land in your mailbox.
If you do receive a notice from the IRS, it is important to act fast, especially if you cannot afford to pay what the IRS says you owe. You may be tempted to do nothing or ignore the situation, but every day you wait will just make an already bad situation that much worse.
The good news is you may not have to pay what the IRS says you owe! There are a number of programs designed to give taxpayers relief, in many cases allowing them to settle their tax debts for much less. But before you can enjoy that financial relief, you need to find the right partner, and here are some key things to look for.
The Right Tax Relief and IRS Negotiation Experience.
When you hire a tax relief firm, you will be hiring a team of experts, and it is important that the person who works on your case will be up to the task. It is important to look for specific areas of expertise, including former IRS agents, attorneys and others who can help you negotiate with the IRS on your behalf.
The best tax relief agencies are not necessarily huge firms; some of the best are small operators with extensive experience. But no matter what the size of the firm, the tax resolution expertise of the person working on your case is what matters the most.
Compassion and Understanding
Dealing with the IRS is not just a financial problem; it is an emotional one as well. Getting a letter from the IRS is bound to be an upsetting and unsettling experience, and working with a compassionate and caring tax relief firm can help a lot.
You should not, of course, sacrifice expertise and capability for compassion, but there is no reason you cannot have the best of both worlds. Look for someone who cares about you and your situation as you interview tax relief firms and choose the one you feel best about working with.
Recent IRS Negotiation Success Stories
The IRS is a huge agency, and the tax code is endlessly complex. That enormous complexity and ever-growing structure mean that past experience may no longer be relevant, so look for recent experience with the IRS in the form of testimonials and case studies.
Chances are if they have good “wins” under their belt, they know what they’re doing and they can get you a favorable outcome. Working with these experts can give you peace of mind and make it easier for you to resolve your tax problem.
Getting a letter from the IRS can be a scary experience, but it does not have to be the end of the world. You do not have to suffer financial devastation or go bankrupt to settle the debt you owe. Now that you know how to find a great tax relief partner, you no longer have to live in fear of your next trip to the mailbox.
Jonathan Donenfeld, CPA, MSA is the President and Founder of JLD Tax Resolution. With over 15 years’ experience in tax, accounting and finance, Jonathan has spent the last 5 years focusing on helping individuals and small businesses resolve back tax issues.