IRS Law Blog

As a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, it was exciting to see my article about solutions to today’s IRS collection problems as the cover story in March’s monthly bar journal. Here is a brief overview of the article – 5 Things...

I received a call today from an enrolled agent for my help with a client who was having problems not only with the IRS, but credit cards as well.  As usual, my enrolled agent friend got it right –...

Tax problems do come to an end – the IRS has 10 years to collect a tax debt. But be careful:  The time the IRS has to collect can be unknowingly extended by you. The decisions you make...

A great question from a reader about discharging taxes when successive bankruptcies are filed: Mr. Levy – I hope you can help me.  I owe back taxes and filed a Chapter 13 to repay the IRS.  The Chapter...

Trying to repay the IRS in an installment agreement can be difficult.  The interest and penalties the IRS charges doubles the original amount of tax you owe every five years. Your installment agreement may keep...

Bankruptcy is a powerful tool in solving IRS problems – but can it stop the IRS from auditing you? A centerpiece of bankruptcy law is the concept of an “automatic stay.”    The automatic stay stops creditors...

I will be on a panel seminar in Cincinnati on November 6 to address taxes and bankruptcy. My co-panelists include Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey Hopkins and Bankruptcy Trustees Henry Menninger and Tom Geygan. In addtion to...

I do alot of IRS and bankruptcy work for my clients, and receive many questions about  it works.  Bankruptcy is a valuable tool to eliminate IRS liabilities. To help in understanding taxes and bankruptcy, I thought...

I am fortunate that the National Association of Enrolled Agents has invited me to their annual Tax Institute on August 9 -11, 2009 in Baltimore, Md. Here are the outlines for the topics I will...

Every IRS problem has a solution. Some solutions are quick. Other workouts require more creativity, planning and patience.  When meeting with a client  – or during an initial telephone consultation – I like to discuss...

In addition to offers in compromise, bankruptcy, and uncollectible (See Part I, above), here are three more solutions to owing back taxes to the IRS: Statute of limitations on collection. The IRS has 10 years to...

It is not unusual for my clients to find themselves indebted to two masters – the IRS and credit card companies.  Both want a piece of the pie, but there is not enough to go...

On more than one occasion I have used the possibility of bankruptcy as leverage in reducing the value of a offer in compromise.  The possibility of bankruptcy can have a big impact on an IRS offer in...

I received this question about using an offer in compromise on interest and penalties: I owe $25,000 in tax, but the interest and penalties have made the amount I owe almost double.  Won’t the IRS...

I am often asked by new clients how a tax lawyer can make a difference in an IRS dispute.  Here is my answer: Once you retain a tax lawyer, the IRS must stop calling you....

All recent indications are that the IRS is plowing ahead in its collection efforts under a weakening economy.  Revenue Officers continue to push hard, and there are no signs that Automated Collection Service has backed off...

With new clients, I spend time discussing the options for obtaining a fresh start from IRS problems. The consultation most always involves making the client aware of the pros and cons of resolution by compromise,...