Services We Provide
Back Tax Return Preparation & Filing
We use IRS wage and income transcripts and information from you to prepare accurate original tax returns and file them with the IRS and state revenue agencies. Penalties and interest still accrue on unfiled returns in addition to the back taxes that may be owed, or you might have a refund waiting to be claimed. Penalties for not filing a federal tax return are 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to a total of 25% of the unpaid tax.
Payment Plans
An "installment agreement" with the IRS is a form of tax debt relief that allows a qualified taxpayer to pay the full balance of their tax debt with monthly payments for up to 72 months.
Partial Payment Plans
A "partial payment installment agreement" with the IRS allows a qualified taxpayer to settle tax debt with monthly payments for up to 120 months for less than the full amount owed. These agreements normally require payments to be made via ACH direct debit from your bank account or by payroll deduction.
Hardship Status
Taxpayers with outstanding tax liability that they are unable to pay may request to be placed in a "currently not collectable" status. If granted, the IRS will delay certain collection activities until the taxpayer’s financial situation and ability to make payments changes. Penalties and interest continue to accrue on unpaid tax liabilities.
Offer in Compromise
An Offer in Compromise, also referred to as the "Fresh Start Program", is a taxpayer proposal to settle tax debt for less than the full balance owed. This included taxes, penalties and interest. The IRS may accept such an offer if it can be shown that the taxpayer can never pay the debt utilizing other tax relief methods. The IRS will also consider offers in compromise if there is a reasonable doubt as the accuracy of the tax liability itself. This is one of the most requested Tax Problem Solutions, but keep in mind that not all taxpayers qualify.
Wage Garnishment Release
When the IRS or State revenue agencies are unable to collect tax liabilities, they will begin to seize your assets. One method commonly used is to garnish (take) your wages (paycheck). They can, and will, legally garnish up to 50% of your paycheck.
Bank Levy Release
IRS and State revenue agencies can levy your bank, retirement and other asset accounts. They have the legal authority to seize all of your available funds from any of your asset accounts to satisfy outstanding tax liabilities, penalties and interest.
Tax Lien Release
When the IRS or State revenue agencies place a Tax Lien on your property, they are making a "legal claim" to that property. A tax lien encumbers your ownership and title to the property which can negatively impact your ability to sell or refinance the property.
Audit Representation
An IRS audit can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for many individuals and businesses. The thought of facing the IRS alone can be daunting, especially if you are not familiar with the tax laws and regulations. Audit representation ensures that your rights are protected during an audit, that you are not paying more than you owe, and that your best interests are represented.
Collection Appeals
There are various types and levels of appeals depending on the type of collection activity initiated against the taxpayer. A "Collection Due Process" hearing is the most common and lowest level of appeal within the IRS collections division. Ultimately a taxpayer has the right to appeal tax matters to the US District Court or US Tax Court.
Revenue Officer Support
Once our firm has been retained, you WILL NOT have to talk to the IRS Revenue Officer any longer. The IRS personnel are required to work with us, your appointed representative, to resolve your tax matters. Our representatives will determine the best course of action and work directly with the IRS Revenue Officer on your behalf at every step of the process.
Penalty Abatement
The IRS may agree to a request for penalty abatement if a taxpayer can demonstrate that extenuating circumstances caused the noncompliance which incurred the penalty. Certain penalties may also be waived for taxpayers who have a history of tax compliance.
Injured Spouse Relief
When the IRS retains a tax refund of a married couple filing a joint return for repayment of a past due obligations of only one spouse, the other spouse can apply for recovery of his/her portion of the refund under the Injured Spouse Relief provision. Examples of past due obligations include IRS and state taxes, child support, and other non-tax debt such as federal student loan defaults.
Innocent Spouse Relief
When a couple files a joint return, both spouses are equally responsible for the tax debt. However, if one spouse submitted erroneous information or improperly claimed a credit that understated tax liability without the knowledge of the other when the return was filed, the innocent spouse may be entitled to relief from liability and collection actions under the IRS Innocent Spouse Relief provision.
Separation of Liability Relief
A spouse who filed a joint return but is subsequently no longer married, is legally separated or widowed may apply to the IRS for release from liability if the tax was understated by the other spouse. The IRS separation of liability relief provision protects a spouse who was unaware at the time of filing that the other spouse filed erroneous information or improperly claimed a credit. The IRS may grant separation of liability and allocate the tax debt accordingly between the two ex-spouses.
Payroll Tax Debt Resolution
The IRS and State revenue agencies consider money withheld by business owners from their employees’ paychecks as "trust funds". Failure to report or remit this tax money can result in trust fund recovery penalties.
Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Defense
Payroll tax problems are the one business tax liability for which the owner can be personally assessed. Business owners are still personal liability even with corporate or LLC structures in place to shield them from liability. When the owner is assessed the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty, it is equivalent to 100% of the tax withheld from employees, as well as the employers matching tax contribution.
Bankruptcy
Sometimes bankruptcy is an option when taxes and other debts become unmanageable. Not all taxes qualify for relief under bankruptcy code. When tax liabilities DO qualify for bankruptcy discharge, it may be a viable option for a taxpayer to consult with an attorney and consider bankruptcy protections, if they can not qualify for any other type of resolution option. North Start Tax Relief does not offer bankruptcy services. We provide only a review of the tax periods and associated liabilities that could potentially qualify to be discharged in bankruptcy. We encourage taxpayers to consider all options and seek the opinion of an attorney that specializes in bankruptcy law for any legal advise.
Petitioning the IRS for tax relief under any of these options requires special expertise and knowledge of the IRS collections and appeals process.
Each tax problem solution is subject to individual qualification.
