Can a Tax Attorney Negotiate With the IRS to Resolve Tax Debt Issues? 2024

Tax debt issues are stressful and complex, and they can happen to taxpayers for numerous reasons. Personal and financial issues can pile up at the wrong time. Addressing an IRS (Internal Revenue Service) tax debt, its penalties, and its interest can become overwhelming quickly. There are options to help you manage and even limit your debt, however. Taxpayers often ask, “Can a tax attorney negotiate with the IRS to resolve tax debt issues?”. Consulting with an IRS tactics attorney in Jacksonville can provide clarity and support in navigating these challenges.

Tax attorneys can be incredibly beneficial when dealing with the IRS and complex tax issues. You do not have to work with the IRS alone. If you have tax debt, you should not ignore it but address it quickly. The right legal support can help you find the ideal solution while advocating for your rights.

What Can a Tax Attorney Do for You?

A tax attorney is a tax professional who is licensed to provide legal representation and information about tax codes. Tax attorneys have spent extensive time studying tax law, both state and local, so they know how to apply the law to unique taxpayer situations. They can provide legal advice regarding your taxes while navigating any complex issues with any state or federal tax agency.

An experienced attorney can provide assistance with many specific tax situations, including:

• Protecting your rights while helping you prepare for an audit
• Preparing your tax returns
• Providing advice on how to limit your tax liability through tax avoidance
• Giving you advice about your taxes
• Filing missing tax returns or amending filed tax returns
• Addressing tax debts
• Negotiating a settlement or payment plan for a tax debt
• Appealing actions like the results of an audit or collection actions
• Addressing collection actions such as liens, levies, and wage garnishment
• Mitigating any issues that could result in civil or criminal consequences

Taxes are not easy to deal with. Having legal support makes it easier to determine the right steps to take when filing your taxes or dealing with other legal tax issues. For complex cases involving overdue tax liabilities, a settlement of tax debts attorney in Jacksonville can assist in negotiating favorable resolutions with the IRS.

How Tax Attorneys Help With Tax Debt

When you have existing tax debt, ignoring the issue will only make it much worse. If you are unsure how to address the debt, a tax attorney in Florida can help. Tax attorneys are qualified to represent you in communications with the IRS. They can also negotiate with the IRS for resolutions like a payment plan, penalty abatement, or even settling your entire debt for a smaller lump sum.

Not every taxpayer will qualify for these resolutions. Your attorney can look at your unique financial situation to determine if you can apply for an installment agreement, an offer in compromise, or other forms of debt relief. By working with an attorney, the resolution can be tailor-made to your unique circumstances and financial needs.

Dealing with the IRS directly can also be stressful and intimidating for many individuals. Attorneys are experienced in negotiations in general, and tax attorneys have substantial experience in dealing with the IRS. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf, providing strong arguments about your situation to advocate for your need for tax debt relief.

Part of the application and negotiation process for managing tax debt includes providing the necessary information. Your attorney can help you gather the important documentation and information needed to prove your relief request. They can also collect further information as needed when requested by the IRS.

Tax codes change frequently, and an attorney remains on top of the changes and how they affect you as a taxpayer. You are more likely to find and secure the ideal resolution for your tax debt when you have an attorney by your side.

FAQs About Resolving Tax Debt Issues

Can an Attorney Help With IRS Debt?

Yes, an attorney can help with IRS debt. An attorney can negotiate for you with the IRS to find a resolution, such as an installment agreement to repay the debt over a longer period of time. If there are disputes about the tax debt you owe, your attorney can potentially resolve the dispute. They can also help you temporarily pause collection actions on tax debt. You could also lower your overall debt through options like penalty abatement or an offer in compromise, making your debt more manageable.

Can I Negotiate My Tax Debt With the IRS?

Yes, you could negotiate your tax debt with the IRS. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to dispute or appeal the notice of debt you owe if you think it is not accurate. If the debt is accurate, but you are unable to pay it, there may be other options to reduce your liability or give you more time to pay it. You should not ignore your tax debt with the IRS, as this will only make the problem worse.

How Hard Is It to Get an Offer in Compromise From the IRS?

It is difficult to get an offer in compromise from the IRS, and you should try other methods first to reduce or slow the repayment of your tax debt. Many offers in compromise are made, and the IRS only accepts a portion of them. In 2023, the IRS had an acceptance rate of 42.14%, which was one of the higher rates in the past few years. You should be sure you are eligible for an offer in compromise before applying.

How Much Does the IRS Usually Settle For?

How much the IRS will usually settle for depends on how much you can pay and the amount of your debt. The amount is determined by your individual circumstances, as it relies on your income, expenses, and assets. If you provide an offer in compromise that the IRS deems insufficient, you will likely receive a counteroffer. An attorney can review your financial situation and owed debt to determine a likely acceptable amount for an offer in compromise with the IRS.

Tax Smith Tax Attorneys: Helping You Navigate Your Tax Debt

At Tax Smith Tax Attorneys, we have decades of experience in tax laws, including the process of negotiating taxpayer debt with the IRS. We know how state and federal tax codes affect you as a business or individual taxpayer, so we want to help you address debt quickly and effectively. When you need skilled legal support to address your tax debt and reduce your tax liability, contact Tax Smith Tax Attorneys.