Nothing can strike fear into the heart of a small business owner or other citizen like being contacted by the Internal Revenue Service. This tax agency enjoys powers not granted to many other parts of the government. Unlike those other government agencies, the IRS can garnish your wages, freeze your bank accounts and seize your property. So, you cannot simply do nothing if the IRS contacts you or your business about unpaid tax liabilities. You must act or your situation will get much worse.
But you have a choice when faced with an IRS problem: you can negotiate with the agency on your own or hire a professional. When you have been contacted by the IRS, you may wonder which is the better choice for you.
As a professional Tax Resolution Firm, we encourage everyone facing a tax problem, whether it be business taxes or personal taxes, to contact us for a free consultation to see if we can help. Let us examine the pros and cons of hiring a tax relief firm so you can make your own decision.
The Benefits of Professional Tax Resolution Assistance
There are clear advantages to be gained by hiring a professional to help you resolve your IRS back taxes. Tax professionals can provide a clear road map to freedom for taxpayers who may feel trapped and overwhelmed by a process they do not understand. Here are some primary advantages of working with a tax resolution professional:
- A tax resolution professional knows how to Protect Your Rights. You have rights as a taxpayer which include the right to be represented by a professional. Sometimes people ask me if hiring a representative makes them “look guilty.” The answer is a resounding, No! The IRS’ own Taxpayer Bill of Rights provides for The Right to Retain Representation. A representative who deals with IRS problems for a living knows the “ins” and “outs” and how to deal with the IRS to not only protect your rights, but also protect your income and assets. Most tax resolution professionals also know how to get you the lowest possible settlement allowed by law.
- A tax resolution professional will deal with the IRS on your behalf so that you will not have to deal with them directly. No one likes dealing with the IRS, and by working with a tax professional, you will not need to speak with them on your own. You just need to present your case to your representative, who will then deal with the IRS on your behalf.
- A tax resolution professional gives you the advantage of years of experience. They know the tax code and how it works in-depth. They also know how to use IRS practices and procedures to your advantage to reach a fair settlement. This knowledge could be the key to getting the best possible deal, one that avoids the IRS’ wrath and saves you money.
- A tax resolution professional can save you time by more speedily resolving your personal tax or business tax issues. When you have an IRS problem hanging over your head, it is stressful and unpleasant. The quicker you can get in resolved, the sooner you can move on with the rest of your life.
- A tax resolution professional can often obtain a better deal for you. The Internal Revenue Service will not always offer you the best terms, but a tax professional who knows all the options can choose to pursue the one that is most advantageous for you. A tax professional is also experienced in negotiating with the IRS and may be able to get a better deal.
The Potential Downsides of Hiring a Tax Professional
Working with a tax resolution service makes sense on many levels, and taxpayers can enjoy many important benefits in the process. Nevertheless, there are some potential pitfalls to working with a tax resolution service, and you should evaluate the potential advantages and drawbacks yourself. When making this decision, here are some possible downsides you should consider:
- You will need to pay for tax resolution services. Nothing in life is free, and that includes assistance with resolving your tax problems. It might make more sense to work with the IRS on your own if you owe less than $10,000.
- Not all tax resolution professionals and companies offer the same standard of service. It can be difficult and confusing to research and do your due diligence before hiring a tax resolution professional. You need to be aware that some companies often claim more than they can deliver. You need to do your homework when choosing a tax resolution professional.
- It may take a long time to resolve your tax matter. Although some tax problems can be resolved very quickly, other matters can take months or even years to reach a resolution. You need to be prepared for a long journey whether you hire a tax resolution service or not.
- When you hire a tax professional you give up some control. While it may be liberating to hand your tax problems over to a professional, you are also giving up some control of your tax matter. It may also be a relief to know that someone else has your back and is working to help you find the best resolution to your tax problem.
It is certainly no fun to have to deal with the IRS. It does not matter whether you receive a tax bill when you were expecting a refund, or you owe thousands of dollars to the IRS due to an audit. You understandably may want a tax professional to take that task off your plate. In many cases, this is the best move you could make.
Now that you understand some of the advantages and disadvantages of working with a tax resolution professional, you can make the wise choice – and take the first step to resolving your tax problems and moving on with your life.
Feel free to reach out to our Firm if you want to discuss your matter with us. We will schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to see if we are the right Firm to help you reach the best resolution of your tax problem.
Robert V. Boeshaar Attorney at Law, LL.M.,PLLC
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