Martin Cantu, EA - Tax Consultant - Tax Relief Services Blog

  If you're struggling with IRS debt, it can feel overwhelming and stressful. However, there are options available to help you resolve your tax debt and move forward with your financial future. One of these options is an IRS offer, which comes in five different types. Learn more about these offers and how they can help you get back on track.   Offer in Compromise. An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is one of the most well-known types of IRS offers. It allows taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed. To qualify for an OIC, taxpayers must demonstrate that they are unable to pay their full tax debt, either through a lump sum payment or through a payment plan. The IRS will consider factors such as income, expenses, and asset equity when evaluating an OIC. It's important to note that not all taxpayers will qualify for an OIC, and it should only be pursued after consulting with a tax professional.   Installment Agreement. An Installment Agreem...

 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a warning to taxpayers to watch out for so-called "Offer in Compromise mills," which are companies or promoters that claim to be able to help taxpayers settle their IRS debts through an Offer in Compromise (OIC) but often engage in unethical and illegal practices. In a news release, the IRS included OIC mills in its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, which highlights the most common and dangerous tax-related scams that taxpayers should watch out for. Here's what you need to know about OIC mills and how to protect yourself. What is an Offer in Compromise? An Offer in Compromise is a program offered by the IRS that allows taxpayers to settle their tax debts for less than the full amount owed. To qualify for an OIC, the taxpayer must demonstrate that they are unable to pay the full amount of their tax debt, either through a lump sum payment or a payment plan. The IRS will consider the taxpayer's income, ...

 Chapter 5 How to appeal the IRS when your offer in Compromise is Rejected.   Take One Last Chance at the Offer Specialist Level   Don't Fall For the Misleading Commercials! Lately I’ve seen a commercial on various social media outlets touting IRS Debt Relief, The Fresh Start Initiative and an Offer in Compromise. The commercial illustrates a taxpayer settling a large tax debt for $100. For the record, the only way to accomplish this is to be out of a job, with not job prospects, and living on the edge of homelessness – it’s all a fiction and does a real disservice to educate taxpayers as to how this process work. Set reasonable expectations for yourself – if you live in an expensive house, send the kids to private school, have late model cars, season tickets to local sports team and vacation two or three times a year – it isn’t going to happen for you.   An IRS Settlement Officer (SO) is a trained professional who is responsible for evaluating and negoti...

  Chapter 4 – Filing Details/Payment Terms/Important Consequences IRS FORM 656 – OFFER IN COMPROMISE Use IRS form 656, Offer in Compromise to submit your offer. You can access the form via this link .   Be sure to read the accompanying booklet. Note that there are different forms of Form 433, Collection Information Statement, that are a part of the submission process. Form 433-A is for use by Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals. Form 433-B is used by Businesses. Also note that there is a specific form, 656-L, for use if you are claiming doubt as to liability. The IRS site also has a pre-qualifier tool. But don’t get too upset if it reports that you are not eligible. The tool does not take into account any special circumstances or other issues that may be relevant to your situation. Please refer back to this section of my Blog for a more detailed discussion of this issue.   Who Can File An Offer? An Offer in Compromise (OIC) can be filed by any individ...

  Calculating the Amount of your Offer in Compromise – What is Your Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP)? Drum roll please! This is what you’ve been searching for – how much do I offer? How little can I get away with? Why not low ball them?   Here are the two most important concepts to understand before you start your OIC.   Key Point 1 - You’re not buying a car or a house. The Settlement Agent does not work on commission. They don’t have to settle and the decision to settle rests entirely with the Settlement Officer. Any offer or counter-offer you make has to be backed up by the numbers.   Key Point 2 – Determine your Reasonable Collection Potential before making an offer. Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) is a key factor considered by the IRS when evaluating an Offer in Compromise (OIC). RCP refers to the amount of money the IRS believes it can collect from a taxpayer based on their assets, income, and future earning potential.   The IRS...