Everyone has heard it, everyone wants it, but not everyone qualifies.

I am a former IRS Agent and teaching instructor. I specifically taught the IRS Offer in Compromise/Settlement Program for over 10 years. My seven words for “pennies on the dollar,”

Beware, Caution, You may be Ripped Off!

Pennies on the Dollar is a slick advertising campaign. If it were that easily possible, everyone in the country would file for this IRS settlement program.

The IRS is very concerned that thousands of people are getting scammed.  The FTC has announced that a federal judge had shut down “American Tax Relief ” for allegedly tricking thousands of customers out of $60 million over 4 years. Up front fees ranged from $4000 to $25,000, whatever the traffic would bear.

The Attorney General Jerry Brown sued Roni Deutsch ESQ., the Tax Lady.  Jerry Brown’s suit seeks to bar deceptive ads and to collect $34 million in restitution for clients/taxpayers she allegedly swindled. More false advertisement.

More are soon to come.

How to keep yourself out of this situation.

1. No tax firm can guarantee results.

2. Check the Better Business Bureau report on the company.

3. Talk to the tax professional yourself and not a selling agent that most tax firms use.

4. Check out the history of the tax firm.

5. Check professional credentials.

6. If you cannot meet them in person, skype them.

7. Ask  if they have a former IRS Agent, Manager, or IRS instructor on staff. No one will want to risk their professional credentials over scams.

A solid firm will have on staff Board Certified Tax Attorneys, CPAs and former IRS agents.