8 Tips to Help Avoid IRS Disasters in Utah

This is the most common natural disaster | DPS News

Never Ignore IRS Notices

IRS notices are there for a reason. When certified messages from the Internal Revenue Service arrive in the mail, read them carefully and take immediate action, consulting a tax lawyer if necessary. If you refuse to accept the mail, you will lose the right to challenge your tax bill. If you accept the mail but fail to read and reply to it, your charges will accumulate, putting your financial stability at risk.

Call a Supervisor if an IRS Representative Treats You Poorly

According to The IRS Collection Process, IRS representatives are required by law to treat their clients professionally and courteously. Additionally, you are entitled to an attorney to speak in your behalf. If an IRS representative denies your right to an attorney or treats you crudely during an interview, you have every right to call and speak to their supervisor.

Don’t Meet with the IRS Alone

If the Internal Revenue Service summons you for an interview, you’re probably in trouble. Anything you say in your interview can and probably will be used against you, and the IRS representative you speak with is unlikely to cut you any slack. You could end up digging yourself a deeper hole. Hire a tax attorney to accompany you to your interview. Tax attorneys can speak on your behalf, remind you of your rights, answer any questions you have, and help you prepare any necessary documents beforehand.

Remember Your Rights

Contrary to popular belief, the IRS does not have the right to take away your bank account, vehicles, business, or home without providing a written notice and an opportunity to challenge that notice. Challenging a notice can buy you time while you formulate a presentation to persuade the court to take your side, depending on the situation. However, be careful not to waste the Tax Court’s time, as you may be penalized forr doing so. Consult a tax professional such as a tax accountant or a tax lawyer to assess your situation and make a plan accordingly.

Consider Your Options

Depending on your financial situation, you have options as to how you can pay or settle your taxes. The hardship program allows you freedom from the IRS for up to ten years if you are unable to pay your taxes after paying essential home costs. You may also arrange an installment payment plan, file for bankruptcy, or plead for an offer in compromise. Monthly installment plans are ideal for individuals that are able to pay their overdue taxes but may need more time to do so, while offers in compromise are fitting for individuals that can almost (but not quite) pay the full amount owed.

Jordan Wilcox provides state-of-the-art IRS help in Utah and the surrounding area.

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