The Collection Due Process (“CDP”) hearing is often viewed as a last resort for taxpayers facing IRS Tax Collections. While these hearings provide important taxpayer protections, one of the most misunderstood aspects is when a taxpayer can challenge their underlying tax liability. Many taxpayers assume they can always dispute how much they owe during a……
Tag: Tax Debt
The IRS OIC: How Lifestyle Choices Impact Your Offer
Owing back taxes to the IRS can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for many individuals. The financial burden of paying back a large tax debt can seem insurmountable, leaving taxpayers feeling hopeless and unsure of where to turn for help. One option that may provide relief for those struggling to pay their tax debt……
Pay IRS Estimated Tax Prior to Filing Bankruptcy
Taxes incurred just prior to filing bankruptcy are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. The debtor will have to pay these taxes or work out a collection alternative with the IRS for these taxes. This raises the question as to whether a debtor can basically pay the IRS estimated payments to satisfy their income taxes for the……
IRS Collects Taxes Discharged in Bankruptcy
When the governmet confers a benefit, it invariably puts conditions on the benefit. Congress will often modify the conditions over time. The result can be a very nuanced set of rules that, to the uninitiated, can seem nonsensical and impossible to descipher. The rules that allow taxes to be discharged in bankruptcy fall into this……
Is Homeless a Requirement for an IRS Payment Agreement?
Indifference. It is generally defined as “lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.” Those who are unfortunate enough to work with the government employees to resolve a case or matter often have a profound understanding of this term. This is true of just about every government function–be it local, state, or federal. When it comes to……
IRS Ignore Your Offer in Compromise? What’s Next?
The IRS offer in compromise program provides taxpayers with a remedy for settling back taxes. It can provide taxpayers with a much-needed fresh start. Congress has changed the rules for offers. One change is that offers are deemed accepted if the IRS does not reject them within two years. This raises the question of how……
IRS Can Avoid Bankruptcy Collection Hold
One of the benefits of filing bankruptcy is that creditors are precluded from taking collection actions. When a taxpayer who owes unpaid taxes to the IRS files for bankruptcy, this collection hold applies to the IRS. But what if the IRS could simply file a motion and avoid the collection hold? This is exactly what……
Settling Unpaid Taxes With Sporadic or Seasonal Income
Sporadic or seasonal income can make it difficult to settle back taxes with the IRS. For example, if you have a large one-time payment that is not likely to continue, can the IRS consider this in evaluating how much you can pay the IRS? The court addresses this in Margolis-Sellers v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2019-165……
When An IRS Decision Maker Gets it Wrong
One thing that is different about working for the IRS is that you are tasked with making decisions. It is about making decisions and processing cases or forms. This is true for just about every taxpayer-facing job function within the IRS. IRS personnel make decisions based on their narrow job function. They do so over……