Frequently Asked Questions

We handle IRS audits and audit defense, wage garnishment and bank levy defense, Offer in Compromise representation, unfiled federal tax returns compliance, penalty abatement, IRS installment agreements and payment-plan negotiation, innocent spouse relief, and Federal Tax Court representation. We provide end-to-end nationwide IRS representation.

We represent taxpayers before the IRS nationwide and provide Federal Tax Court representation. For state tax matters, we represent clients in Florida, Colorado, and Texas where we are licensed. We also handle litigation and appeals that proceed to Federal Tax Court and related federal appellate processes.

Yes. We represent individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, and LLCs. Common business issues include payroll tax problems, trust fund recovery penalties, unfiled business returns, and IRS audits of business deductions and income.

Absolutely. Many of our clients come to us with several years of unfiled returns. We prepare and file delinquent returns, negotiate with the IRS to bring you into compliance, and work to minimize penalties and interest. The IRS typically requires the last six years of returns to be filed before they will work with you on a resolution.

We can often get a wage garnishment released or a bank levy returned within days of engagement. We contact the IRS immediately, assert your rights, and negotiate a resolution that stops the collection action. Time is critical in these situations, so we prioritize levy and garnishment cases.

We are licensed to practice law in Florida, Colorado, and Texas. We provide authorized representation before the IRS and in Federal Tax Court as part of our federal tax litigation practice.

We have 32 years of federal tax litigation experience and have resolved over $100 million in client tax liabilities through negotiated resolutions, payment plans, offers in compromise, and litigation outcomes.

Our practice focuses exclusively on federal tax controversy and litigation, including audit defense, collection avoidance (levy, garnishment, and bank levy defense), offers in compromise, penalty abatement, installment agreement negotiation, and Federal Tax Court litigation.

A tax attorney provides attorney-client privilege, which means your communications with us are legally protected and cannot be disclosed to the IRS. CPAs and enrolled agents do not have this privilege. Additionally, only attorneys can represent you in Federal Tax Court if your case goes to litigation. For complex disputes, criminal investigations, or high-dollar cases, legal representation provides protections that other professionals cannot.

We offer a free initial consultation where we review your IRS situation, explain your options, and outline a strategy. You can schedule through getirshelp.com. We will need your most recent IRS notices or letters and ideally your IRS transcripts, which we can obtain on your behalf once engaged.

Timelines vary by case type. Emergency levy and garnishment releases can happen within days. Installment agreements typically take 30 to 90 days. Offers in compromise take 6 to 12 months on average. Tax Court cases can take 12 to 24 months. We set realistic expectations from the start and keep you informed throughout the process.

Most IRS disputes are resolved administratively without ever stepping into a courtroom. However, if the IRS takes an unreasonable position or denies your rights, we are prepared to litigate in Federal Tax Court. Having a tax attorney who is willing and able to go to court gives you significant leverage in negotiations.

No. Once you sign a power of attorney (Form 2848), we handle all IRS communications on your behalf. You should not speak with the IRS directly. If the IRS contacts you, refer them to our office. This protects you from saying anything that could harm your case.

An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an agreement with the IRS to settle your tax debt for less than you owe. Qualification depends on your income, expenses, asset equity, and ability to pay. The IRS uses a specific formula to determine the minimum acceptable offer. We evaluate your financials and advise whether an OIC is realistic before you invest time and money in the process.

It is possible, but not guaranteed. The IRS will only accept an offer they believe reflects your true ability to pay. We have settled cases for a fraction of the total debt, but we are honest about whether your situation supports a low offer. Beware of firms that promise unrealistic results. We provide a realistic assessment based on 32 years of experience.

If you genuinely cannot pay, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status. This tells the IRS to stop all collection activity against you. While in CNC status, the collection statute continues to run, and your debt may eventually expire. We evaluate whether CNC is the right strategy or whether another option better serves your long-term interests.

Yes. IRS representation is a federal practice, meaning we can represent taxpayers in all 50 states before the IRS and in Federal Tax Court. Our state bar licenses in Florida, Colorado, and Texas are relevant for state tax matters, but IRS issues are handled nationwide regardless of where you live.

We handle the vast majority of cases remotely via phone, email, and secure document sharing. The IRS itself operates remotely for most matters. We obtain your transcripts electronically, file documents with the IRS by mail or fax, and attend hearings by phone or video conference. You receive the same level of representation whether you are across the street or across the country.

Fees depend on the complexity of your case. Simple installment agreements cost less than complex Offer in Compromise cases or Tax Court litigation. We provide a clear fee quote during your free consultation so there are no surprises. We believe in transparent pricing and do not charge hidden fees.

Yes. We understand that if you owe the IRS, you may not have a large sum available upfront for legal fees. We offer payment arrangements to make representation accessible. Details are discussed during your consultation.

Yes. The IRS has procedures for penalty abatement based on reasonable cause (such as illness, natural disaster, or reliance on professional advice) and first-time penalty abatement for taxpayers with a clean compliance history. We analyze your situation and pursue every available basis for penalty relief.

Yes. The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect a tax debt. This is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). However, certain actions like filing an Offer in Compromise, requesting an installment agreement, filing bankruptcy, or leaving the country can pause or extend the clock. We calculate your exact CSED to determine whether waiting out the statute is a viable strategy.

Some tax debts can be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but only if they meet specific timing requirements: the return must have been due more than three years ago, filed more than two years ago, and assessed more than 240 days ago. Fraud penalties and trust fund taxes are never dischargeable. We analyze whether your tax debt qualifies for bankruptcy discharge.

Yes. US citizens and green card holders are required to file tax returns regardless of where they live. If you have been living abroad and have not filed, you may qualify for the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, which can eliminate penalties. We handle international non-filer cases regularly and help expats get back into compliance.

Failure to report foreign accounts (FBAR) and foreign assets (FATCA) can result in severe penalties. We help clients make voluntary disclosures through the appropriate IRS programs to minimize exposure. The penalties for willful non-disclosure can be catastrophic, so addressing this proactively is critical.

Yes. Military members and veterans have specific tax provisions including combat zone filing extensions, deadline relief for deployments, and special rules for disability pay. We understand these provisions and ensure you receive every benefit you are entitled to.