Common questions about tax resolution
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. No jargon, no scare tactics.
How do I know if I qualify for an Offer in Compromise?+
The IRS evaluates your reasonable collection potential, meaning your income, necessary living expenses, and asset equity, to decide whether it will settle for less than you owe. Before we ever submit an offer, we run those same calculations ourselves, so you know whether an OIC is realistic or whether another program will serve you better.
Can you stop wage garnishments and bank levies?+
In many cases, yes, and often quickly. Once we file our representation with the IRS or state agency, we can negotiate a release or hold on enforced collection while a resolution is put in place. The sooner you act after receiving a notice, the more options remain open.
How long does tax resolution take?+
It depends on the path. Penalty abatement requests can resolve in weeks, installment agreements in one to two months, and Offers in Compromise typically take six to twelve months for the IRS to review. During your investigation phase we map out the expected timeline for your specific situation.
What if I haven't filed tax returns in years?+
You're not alone, and it's fixable. The IRS requires filing compliance before it will approve most resolution programs, so we start by preparing and filing your back returns, often replacing inflated substitute returns the IRS filed on your behalf, and then resolve the remaining balance.
Will I ever have to talk to the IRS myself?+
No. Once you sign a power of attorney (IRS Form 2848), all calls, letters, and negotiations go through our team. That's the point of representation: you get your life back while professionals who do this every day handle the other side.
Does state tax debt work the same way?+
Each state agency, like California's FTB, CDTFA, and EDD, or Arizona's DOR, runs its own versions of payment plans, settlements, and hardship programs with different rules than the IRS. We negotiate with state agencies regularly and know where their programs differ, which is often where the savings are.
