by Fresh Start Tax | Nov 30, 2018 | Tax Help
Michael Sullivan Offer Expert, How Do You Know the Offer in Compromise is Right For You To Settle Back Taxes
I am a former IRS agent and teaching instructor with the Internal Revenue Service.
When I was employed by the Internal Revenue Service I work the offer in compromise program.
We are a local South Florida tax firm that had specializing in IRS tax debt settlement since 1982.
Not only did I accept and reject offers in compromise, I was also a teaching instructor at the service center to help qualified revenue officers decide which offers to accept and reject.
Given the above information, I can tell you I am a true expert for the IRS offer in compromise and I wish to explain to you whether an offer in compromise is a viable option for you.
Due to social media, marketing and advertising the assumption by the general public is that IRS can settle tax debt for pennies on the dollar.
Let me first let you know that IRS does accept offers in compromise and as a matter of fact last year approximately 32,000 offers in compromise were accepted out of the 78,000 that were filed.
That number varies from year to year but the percentages usually remain the same of acceptability.
The average settlement was $9500 per case but remember that is just an average in not everybody can settle their tax debt for $9500.
There is much information you need to know before you go off filing an offer of compromise and giving your money to some firm to try to pull off some amazing trick because you have been sold a bill of goods and bought in to some marketing ploy and they’ve convinced you are a settlement candidate.
It first starts with the review of your personal financial statement which is found on the 433 OIC.
When the offer in compromise gets sent in to the Internal Revenue Service it is met with the reviewer that make sure that you are truly qualified candidate for the offer in compromise program.
That reviewer checks the completed form to make sure it is a valid agreement. The offer in compromise is a legal document between you and the Internal Revenue Service. If IRS were to accept the offer and the next day you win the lottery the accepted offer still stands.
Also reviewer make sure that all the documentation is attached so that the revenue officer who will work your offer in compromise can move forward.
Approximately one third of all offers in compromise are sent back to the taxpayer because the offers are not filled out correctly or the appropriate documentation is not attached.
IMPORTANT :IRS will check to make sure all your tax returns are current and filed on the IRS system. It is critically important you know that you must have all tax returns filed before IRS will process your offer.
You should know that the Internal Revenue Service rejects an offer before it accepts an offer. one of the basic rules is that the revenue officer is lazy and is easier to mark rejected then they go through all the work of accepting an offer in compromise.
I should know this is a former instructor of the offer in compromise I see many revenue officers simply send offers back because some of the eyes were not dotted in the T’s were not crossed.
Due to the volume of cases the IRS has, which is over 7500 cases waiting in the IRS Q, is far easier for the IRS to say no then to accept because an average of anywhere between 20 and 40 hours are spent on accepting the offer in compromise. If you have an offer in compromise accepted, four signatures are generally required for signature as it goes up and down the chain.
So how do you know if the offer in compromise is right for you. Call for a free initial tax consultation and hear the truth from a true IRS tax debt settlement former agent.
The first place to go is to fill out the IRS pre-qualifier tool for the offer in compromise. Because of so many scrupulous tax companies that have been ripping people off, the IRS wanted to make sure the general public has a tool that they can use to find out if they are prequalified to file the offer in compromise to make sure it is a viable option.
It contains all the necessary information in regard to your income, your expenses and your assets and it predetermined for you whether the offer in compromise is even a viable option for you.
IRS will take a very close look at the liquidity of your assets, your current income, and your monthly expenses before it renders a decision as IRS wants to make sure it collects all the money from you that they can within the 10 year statutory period of time.Even though IRS has a very specific methodology and system new accept the offer in compromise still the judgment of the revenue officer who was seasoned and experience comes into play.
One of the questions the agent will want to consider is, can we collect more money over 10 years than accept the current agreement on the table for the IRS offer in compromise.
As a general rule, you will have to give IRS your total liquidity of all your assets before they will even consider the acceptance of an offer in compromise.
IRS on larger dollar cases is a tremendous amount of due diligence. The IRS has a wealth of information on the various computers they can use to dig and find assets or income.
Why? you may ask is because all offers in compromise are open for public inspections at eight regional offices throughout the United States.
Your offer in compromise must be thoroughly documented which includes all your bank statements for the last six months to a year, all your pay stubs, all your monthly expenses along with certain documentation for assets that have value.
IRS also takes a look at the values of your pensions, your IRA, your business as well.
The offer in compromise is one of the most reviewed documents, it is like going through a mini audit.
Some of the due diligence that IRS will conduct on a larger dollar cases is checking Google, the accurate search engine, Department of Motor Vehicles, real estate records, insurance policies, credit reports, loan applications, insurance policies, and inter-government agency records including those garnered by Homeland security and other such agencies.
Before you contemplate filing the offer in compromise and wasting your money on a company that has promised you they can settle your case for pennies on the dollar, you would be wise to give us a call to have an actual former IRS agent and teaching instructor of the offer in compromise give you the green light.
When you call our office you will speak to true IRS tax experts who knows the system and can tell you what to expect and tell you how to settle for the lowest amount possible.
Call us today for a free initial tax consultation, you will hear nothing but the truth from former IRS agents who know and understand the methodologies of the offer in compromise to make sure it is right for you.
How Do You Know the Offer in Compromise To Settle Back Taxes is Right for You + Former IRS Settlement Agent + + Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 31, 2018 | Tax Help
Before you waste your money, it’s prudent for you to read this blog about, Is the offer in compromise right for you?
There are hundreds or maybe a thousand firms promising IRS will settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar.
While this is true, there are many scrupulous companies out there that simply take your money and you have a case that has no chance of settlement. I know because I receive hundreds of calls a year about tax resolution firms that take money from suspecting taxpayers hoping to settle their debt only to find out they have been ripped off.
Make sure this does not happen to you.
A simple call to our office, free tax consultation, will tell you the truth about is the offer in compromise program right for you.
If you want to know the truth about the offer in compromise program I am the person you need to speak to. Since 1982.
I am a former IRS agent and teaching instructor with my former boss of the offer in compromise program.
I know the system inside and out I worked it I’ve trained others and have accepted offers in compromise for the federal government.
I am a true IRS tax expert, national speaker, and have been on FOXBusiness news and other outlets speaking about different matters about Internal Revenue Service.
There are many myths about the offer in compromise program.
There are strict standards that the IRS employee before they accept an offer in compromise. I know because I’ve both accepted offers in compromise taught new employees to accept the offer in compromise or reject them and I know the system inside and out.
I suggest that every client or taxpayer before they file an offer in compromise either do one of two things.
Number one, call a true tax expert who knows the offer in compromise inside out or number two, to fill out the IRS pre-qualifier tool for the offer in compromise.
If you’re calling a professional firm you want to make sure the representative has at least filed 100 offers.
It takes a lot of experience and knowledge to get an offer in compromise through. some are very simple and don’t need a lot of experience while others demand. expertise skill level.
The Internal Revenue Service spends several hours, much more than you think to accept an offer in compromise. As a general rule, the average agent can spend between 20 to 40 hours to accept an offer in compromise.
After that takes place, the revenue officer must convince their local supervisor, the area manager, and the General Counsel of Internal Revenue Service to accept the offer.
It literally goes back and forth in the system. Some exceptions do exist. Dollar amount has a lot to do in the direction your offer will take.
Why? because all offers and compromise are a matter of public record.
That public record is available at eight regional IRS offices in the United States. Even though offers are open to public inspection only one person last year looked through the IRS offers in compromise files. IRS is not made electronic copies for review.
There is a base rule for Internal Revenue Service accepting an offer in compromise.
You must give IRS the total equity in all your assets before IRS will consider or contemplate the acceptance. Some exceptions exist, assets consist of houses, pension plans, stock, business valuations, IRS wants to make sure you’re actually borrowing the money to settle.
If you are interested in filing an offer in compromise you can call us today for a free initial tax consultation and I will walk you through the process of the true IRS debt settlement called the offer in compromise.
FACTS:
IRS last year accepted approximately 30,000 offers in compromise in approximately 75,000 were accepted. The average settlement was $9500.
Don’t let this average settlement fool you, it’s based on an average of all the offers accepted.
Offers in compromise are excepted by formula not by judgment.
The basic formula a:re the total value of your assets times what you have left over a month on a current income and expense statement times the number of months left in the statute. Some exceptions do apply
Due diligence that can be used by IRS.
You want to make sure your financial statement is accurate.
IRS has a host of web-based tools that can search your assets, places were you work, your income, your real estate records, your car records, your business records, insurance records , financial statement you’ve given institutions, credit reports and financial statements you’ve given the credit companies. The amount of due diligence that the IRS spends working on cases depend strictly on the dollar amount of the tax debt. If you over hundred thousand dollars IRS spends a great deal more honor offer case.
Make sure you are very honest in the submission of your offer in compromise
So. what is an offer in compromise, a tax debt settlement
An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe.
It may be a legitimate option if you can’t pay your full tax liability, or doing so creates a financial hardship.
IRS consider your unique set of facts and circumstances:
• Ability to pay;
• Income;
• Expenses; and
• Asset equity.
IRS generally approve an offer in compromise when the amount offered represents the most we can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time.
The Offer in Compromise program is not for everyone.
If you hire a tax professional to help you file an offer, be sure to check his or her qualifications.
Make sure you are eligible to file:
Before IRS can consider your offer, you must be current with all filing and payment requirements.
You are not eligible if you are in an open bankruptcy proceeding.
Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier to confirm your eligibility and prepare a preliminary proposal.
You’ll find step-by-step instructions and all the forms for submitting an offer in the Offer in Compromise Booklet, Form 656-B (PDF). Your completed offer package will include:
• Form 433-A (OIC) (individuals) or 433-B (OIC) (businesses) and all required documentation as specified on the forms;
• Form 656(s) – individual and business tax debt (Corporation/ LLC/ Partnership) must be submitted on separate Form 656;
• $186 application fee (non-refundable); and
• Initial payment (non-refundable) for each Form 656.
Select a payment option
Your initial payment will vary based on your offer and the payment option you choose:
• Lump Sum Cash: Submit an initial payment of 20 percent of the total offer amount with your application. If your offer is accepted, you will receive written confirmation. Any remaining balance due on the offer is paid in five or fewer payments.
• Periodic Payment: Submit your initial payment with your application. Continue to pay the remaining balance in monthly installments while the IRS considers your offer. If accepted, continue to pay monthly until it is paid in full.
If you meet the Low Income Certification guidelines, you do not have to send the application fee or the initial payment and you will not need to make monthly installments during the evaluation of your offer. See your application package for details.
Understand the process
While your offer is being evaluated:
• Your non-refundable payments and fees will be applied to the tax liability (you may designate payments to a specific tax year and tax debt);
• A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed;
• Other collection activities are suspended;
• The legal assessment and collection period is extended;
• Make all required payments associated with your offer;
• You are not required to make payments on an existing installment agreement; and
• Your offer is automatically accepted if the IRS does not make a determination within two years of the IRS receipt date.
If your offer is accepted
• You must meet all the Offer Terms listed in Section 8 of Form 656, including filing all required tax returns and making all payments;
• Any refunds due within the calendar year in which your offer is accepted will be applied to your tax debt;
• Federal tax liens are not released until your offer terms are satisfied; and
• Certain offer information is available for public review by requesting a copy of a public inspection file.
If your offer is rejected
• You may appeal a rejection within 30 days using Request for Appeal of Offer in Compromise, Form 13711 (PDF).
Call us today for a free initial tax consultation and we will walk you through the system to get your offer in compromise accepted if you are a credible candidate for the program.
We only file offers in compromise if you are a suitable candidates.
Remember, offers in compromises are not for all people. You must speak to true tax experts to make sure you qualify and you should never give your money to any firm unless you speak to the person and you truly understand how IRS will accept your financial statement and accept the offer in compromise.
Is the Offer in Compromise Right For You, Former IRS Agent Explains
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 10, 2018 | Tax Help
IRS Debt Relief Company + Top IRS Settlement Tax Company, Fresh Start Tax LLC 1-866-700-1040
There are many excellent tax relief companies nationwide, Fresh Start Tax LLC is one of the premier and best tax relief companies in the United States.
Since 1982 we have been resolving IRS tax issues and we have an amazing history of successful client work and satisfied customers and that is due to the experience we have in dealing with IRS tax problems and tax issues and IRS tax relief.
On staff are former IRS agents, managers and teaching instructors who were supervisors and managers while working at the Internal Revenue Service.
As a result of all of our work experience, we understand the methodologies and all the procedures to close IRS cases in the most prudent and affordable manner.
Over the years we have worked thousands of cases. Fresh start tax to people work every single case so you have two sets of eyes on your tax issue.
Upon your initial consultation in almost all cases we will let you know how your tax case will resolve itself and exactly how much it will cost you.
Each case has its own unique set of circumstances so we will customize a specific plan of action based on your set of circumstances and financial matters. There are no two cases alike.
We have worked thousands of cases since 1982 and know the most efficient way to get you where you need to be.
You will never have to speak to Internal Revenue Service we will handle all communication with you to you and with the Internal Revenue Service.
The most popular program is the IRS offer in compromise because it settles your debt for pennies on the dollar but you must be sure you qualify for this type of settlement or you will waste your money. People such as you have given thousands of dollars to companies promising the settlements but there are qualifiers that the taxpayer must be aware of before they throw their money at somebody.
As a former IRS agent in teaching and structure of the offer in compromise I can let you know well ahead of time whether your offer will have any chance of acceptance and will be able settle your debt for the lowest allowable amount allowed by law if you qualify.
Offers in Compromise, the OIC
I am a former IRS agent and teaching instructor of the offer in compromise or tax debt settlement program along with other IRS programs and systems.
We have over 60 years of direct work experience in the local, district, and regional tax offices of the Internal Revenue Service. We are true IRS experts who understand the IRS collection system.
All our work is done in-house and we are used by other firms to do their backend work.
You can call us today for free initial tax consultation and find out if you are a true offer in compromise tax debt settlement candidate.
Due to the IRS new fresh start initiative set out by the Internal Revenue Service many more taxpayers are eligible for the tax debt settlement.
Before a taxpayer or client thinks about the filing of an offer in compromise they should check out the IRS offer in compromise pre-qualifier tool first.
You can walk to the pre-qualifier tool on our site or call us today to learn more about it.
We will not file an offer in compromise or accept any fee for any client unless we know they are qualified for the program.
So if we send in your offer in compromise, you probably do have a pretty good chance of getting it accepted.
It is important to know you will that all back tax returns will have to be filed, up-to-date and current on the IRS computer system before the Internal Revenue Service will accept an offer in compromise.
IRS Tax Statistics for the OIC
Last year there were 78,000 offers in compromise were filed with the Internal Revenue Service, 38% of those were accepted for an average of $6500 per case. Keep in mind this is a national average and varies from case to case is completely dependent on your current financial statement. Also keep in mind your offer may be worked by any person throughout the United States.
About 20% of all offers in compromise go to the Appellate Division for settlement.
You should know that not everyone is an offer in compromise candidate to settle their tax debt.
There are many companies out there today advertising pennies on the dollar and if you are not a true qualified candidate you should not be giving your money to any firm. The advice I give everyone is to speak to the person who is working your case and let them explain why you are a qualified candidate for the offer in compromise.
Make sure you are eligible for the OIC.
Before IRS can consider your offer, you must be current with all filing and payment requirements.
You are not eligible if you are in an open bankruptcy proceeding.
Submitting your offer or OIC to the Internal Revenue Service.
You’ll find step-by-step instructions and all the forms for submitting an offer in the Offer in Compromise Booklet, Form 656-B (PDF).
Your completed offer package will include:
• Form 433-A (OIC) (individuals) or 433-B (OIC) (businesses) and all required documentation as specified on the forms;
• Form 656(s) – individual and business tax debt (Corporation/ LLC/ Partnership) must be submitted on separate Form 656;
• $186 application fee (non-refundable); and
• Initial payment (non-refundable) for each Form 656.
Selecting a payment option for the offer in compromise program
Your initial payment will vary based on your offer and the payment option you choose:
• IRS Lump Sum Cash:
Submit an initial payment of 20 percent of the total offer amount with your application. Wait for written acceptance, then pay the remaining balance of the offer in five or fewer payments.
• IRS Periodic Payment:
Submit your initial payment with your application. Continue to pay the remaining balance in monthly installments while the IRS considers your offer.
If accepted, you must continue to pay monthly until it is paid in full.
While your offer in compromise is being evaluated:
• Your non-refundable payments and fees will be applied to the tax liability (you may designate payments to a specific tax year and tax debt);
• A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed;
• Other collection activities are suspended;
• The legal assessment and collection period is extended;
• Make all required payments associated with your offer;
• You are not required to make payments on an existing installment agreement; and
• Your offer is automatically accepted if the IRS does not make a determination within two years of the IRS receipt date.
Other : IRS tax relief programs
Many taxpayers for a variety of reasons cannot qualify for an offer in compromise and IRS has four other buckets of ways they close cases once they were open in the IRS collection
They are as followed:
Hardship, payment agreement, statute of expiration, bankruptcy.
1. For those who are financially strapped and qualify, IRS has a currently non-collectible program in which taxpayers who qualify IRS will temporarily suspend their case between one and three years and then kick the case out later and re-review the financial statement.
Approximately 40% of all people who are in the current IRS collection Q wind up in a temporarily non-collectible file.
2. While other people based on their current financial statement can make a payment arrangement with the Internal Revenue Service. Approximately 6.5 billion people wind up in payment agreements because of their current financial statement. The Internal Revenue Service will use the national standard test to make sure the agreement is fair and reasonable.
3. Others qualify because the statute of limitation has expired on their tax assessments. As a general rule IRS has approximately 10 years to collect all cases. we can pull IRS tax transcripts to find out how close you are to having your statute of limitations expired.
4. While others can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. We were review with you each of the criteria when you call us.
Tax Return Note:
As a side note, taxpayers should be aware that all tax returns must be filed before they can have an approved offer in compromise. Before IRS will work an offer in compromise to settle your tax debt they will want all tax returns filed and they will want to make sure you are current on your ES payments or your withholding in the current year we are in.
If you submitted an offer in compromise and IRS finds your tax returns are not file they will return the offer to you.
We could prepare all back returns for you with little or no records. Please keep in mind that IRS can file your tax returns under 6020 B of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Internal Revenue Service keeps records for six years of all income source documents which means IRS has all your W-2s and 1099 s. I
RS will conduct a full compliance check anytime they work in open IRS collection case. As former IRS agents we know the system and understand all the protocols to get you the very best result possible.
Without question we are one of the best IRS debt tax relief services company in the United States. Since 1982 we have worked thousands of taxpayer clients and are above reproach.
When you are considering one of the best tax relief companies call fresh start tax, since 1982 we have been serving the Americas in resolving IRS tax debt. We can review all IRS tax programs and have tax attorneys, CPAs and former IRS agents on staff to serve your needs.
Our founder has been on FOX Business news as well as NBC . Mr. Sullivan is also contributed to Bloomberg news as well as the Wall Street Journal.
