Popular questions

  • What is a Free Private Consultation?

    This is a free 10-20 minute call where we listen to your issue, determine if we are the right firm to help you, and give you the next steps we will take together to solve your tax dispute. This call is on us – there is no obligation.

  • Can I still call you if I don’t know how much I owe or understand why the authorities are contacting me?

    Yes. We can help you find out what you owe or if you are due a refund. You are not alone in being confused by the tax collections process and the big words the tax collectors use. We simplify the process for you.

  • How is Tax Relief Helpers different from other tax resolution companies?

    • We don’t charge you upfront fees or ask you to subscribe or charge for services you don’t need.
    • We have a highly experienced licensed, and qualified team 100 employees to resolve your tax worries. Even our competitors subcontract us for challenging cases.
    • We have access to all the information the authorities already have about you, so we can build a strong case with insider info.
    • We don’t cut corners to increase our margin. You get a qualified team of 100 employees to resolve your tax worries.
    • We listen and work with the facts. We will present the tax solution that will save you the most money.
  • Does Tax Relief Helpers operate in all 45+ states?

    We are a nationwide, operating in 45+ states tax resolution company that can help you with your IRS and State Tax concerns.

Tax Relief Programs

Offer in compromise

  • How to get an Offer in Compromise approved?

    The IRS requires the form 656. Form 656 analyzes your net income and available assets. Based on this information, the IRS decides if you can pay your entire tax debt or if you qualify for a payment reduction. Data collection for Form 656 is crucial. The Form must be detailed and accompanied by supporting documents. Tax Relief Helpers can quickly determine if this process is an option for you. If not, we will negotiate a payment plan with the IRS.

  • How long does it take to get an Offer in Compromise approved?

    Gathering the correct financial documents to include as proof can take weeks. This depends on how organized your accounting is. Once Form 656 is completed and sent to the IRS, the process takes at least 6 months. However, if you get rejected, an appeal can take up to 2 years. Tax Relief Helpers has the experts to handle each step of the Offer in the Compromise procedure.

Currently Not Collectible

  • When to file Currently Not Collectible status?

    Suppose you are unable to pay your basic living expenses AND your taxes. In that case, your account with the IRS will be assigned a status called Currently Not Collectible or CNC. 

  • When on Currently Not Collectible can you get a lien or levy?

    With Currently Not Collectible or CNC status, your assets are protected since you cannot pay for your basic living costs. Therefore, the IRS will not be able to seize your assets or income (levy).

    However, the IRS can file a lien (a claim by the government to secure payment). Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) is attached to all your assets and is only erased once you pay your debt. A lien also affects your credit score.

  • How long does Not Collectible status last?

    You have between 6 months and two years to get organized. In return, the IRS will not bother you during this time. However, as soon as you are ready to resume payments, your CNC status is lifted, and you must adhere to a plan to pay back your debt. Nevertheless, if you cannot pay your basic living expenses, the CNC status can continue forever if you qualify.

Penalty Abatement

  • What is Penalty Abatement?

    Under certain circumstances, the IRS will waive penalties on your tax debt. For individuals and businesses, the most common is called a First Time Abate or IRS One Time Forgiveness. First Time Abate falls under the category of “administrative waiver.” From time to time, the tax authorities will announce other available administrative waivers in official communications.

  • What is a good reasonable cause for IRS Penalty Abatement?

    Riots, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires are common reasons people can not afford a penalty. Personal circumstances, such as disability, death, or illness by you or your immediate family, can also sometimes qualify. Also, if you prove the system went down and delayed your payment, your late payment penalty can be erased.

  • How to request first-time penalty abatement

    Use Form 843 to request forgiveness of certain taxes, fees, interest, and penalties. However, Tax Relief Helpers will guide you on the supporting documentation and save you time if you are eligible. 

IRS Fresh Start Program

  • What is the Fresh Start Program?

    In 2011, the Federal Government clamped down on the IRS to relieve taxpayers from tough stances that compounded interest and penalties. Unfortunately, their rigorous methods made tax debt very hard to pay off. The Fresh Start Program, or the Fresh Start Initiative, aims to provide tax relief and simplify tax debt repayment.

  • Who qualifies for IRS Fresh Start Program?

    Business Owners can qualify if they:

    Owe less than $25,000 and can pay within 34 months
    Are current with federal tax and employment tax filings
    Meet other requirements that Tax Relief Helpers can determine for you.

    People qualify for the program if they:

    Have less than $50,000 in IRS debt 
    Can pay the debt in less than 5 years
    Have never been late paying IRS tax
    Are in good standing with the IRS
    Can set up a direct payment method
    Agree to follow the installment payment plan
    Have an Offer in Compromise and pay within the year
    Are unemployed, they can ask for 6 months to delay payment

IRS Installment Agreement

  • When is the first payment due to IRS in an installment agreement?

    Each agreement is unique. The first payment is usually due shortly after the agreement is signed. However, the IRS may approve a start date of up to 30 days to get your financial situation in order. After that, you will receive a schedule with the amount you must pay and the due dates for each monthly installment. The most important thing is always being on time with payment because the IRS has arranged to help you. Not paying as promised will result in penalties and interest, thus making your payments even more difficult.

  • Which IRS form is used to request an installment agreement?

    First, you must prove that you can pay the debt to qualify. The IRS will need Form 9465 to arrange a monthly schedule of payments. 

    Form 9465 lists your income, assets, and expenses to help the IRS figure out what amount you can realistically pay monthly. If you owe more than $50,000, you must provide more information on Forms 433-A or 433-F.  

    Tax Relief Helpers will help you with all the forms. We will also guide you step-by-step in this process to make it manageable. Once the forms are complete, we can mail them by post, or electronic filing.

Intent to Offset

  • What does it mean when the federal government intends to offset your payments?

    When the federal government intends to offset your payments, it means that they plan to use the payment that you are expecting to receive (such as a tax refund, Social Security benefit, or federal salary) to pay off a debt that you owe to the government.

    For example, if you owe unpaid taxes to the IRS, the government may use your expected tax refund to pay off your tax debt instead of issuing you the refund.

    The government can also offset your payments for other debts, such as unpaid student loans, child support, or other federal or state debts that you owe.

    If the government intends to offset your payments, they will typically notify you in advance and provide you with an opportunity to dispute the debt or enter into a repayment plan. If you do not take any action to resolve the debt or enter into a repayment plan, the government may proceed with the offset and use your payment to satisfy the debt.

  • How long does it take to get a tax refund after offset in 2023?

    Once your debt is paid off, you will resume standard refund processing time. Typically, the IRS pays refunds in less than three weeks. However, it can take an additional time if you do not use the electronic filing system.

IRS Identity Theft

  • How long after identity verification will I get my refund?

    Once you have proven to the IRS that you are really you, your refund will undergo standard processing times – around 21 days. However, fixing your identity theft problem can take months before the IRS confirms your identity!

  • How to get my identity theft pin number from IRS

    Do you need identity protection? You can ask for an Identity Theft Pin via www.irs.gov/IPPIN. Once you enter your personal information, your pin will be valid for the tax year, and if you misplace it, you can retrieve it using the same URL. We suggest using this system every year and opting in to do this when asked. 

Payment plans

  • Will an IRS payment plan affect my credit?

    An IRS payment plan may affect your credit score, but it depends on the type of payment plan you have and how you manage it.

    If you have an Installment Agreement with the IRS, your payment history will not be reported to credit bureaus unless you default on the agreement.
    However, if you default and spur a Notice of Federal Tax Lien against you, the lien will be reported to credit bureaus – and harm your credit score.

    An outstanding tax liability settled with an Offer in Compromise may be reported to credit bureaus. However, when you pay the settlement amount in full, any tax liens will be released and removed from your credit report.

    It’s important to note that the impact on your credit score will depend on the credit reporting agency. Different agencies may have different ways of reporting tax liens and payment plans. However, if you can make your IRS payments on time and in full, this can help you maintain a good credit score.

  • What happens if I owe more than $50,000 to the IRS?

    Please don’t deal with the IRS alone. Tax Relief Helpers has decades of combined experience and a fully qualified team to handle a complex case like yours.

    All our resources are at your service to ensure you get the best payment solution for your unique case. Even our competitors come to us as subcontractors to handle challenging cases – so you know you must be in the right hands!

  • Do you owe more than $25,000 in business back taxes?

    A combined tax debt plus penalties and interest of less than $25K is usually eligible for a plan to pay the debt in full within 24 months.

    If you owe more than $25,000, you may still be eligible for a payment plan, but you will need to provide extra financial information to the IRS in addition to Form 9465. You must provide information about your business, tax debt, and proposed payment plan.

    You may also be required to pay a setup fee and interest on your unpaid tax balance.

  • What are my next steps for corporate shutdown?

    This can be a complex and challenging process.
    Corporate Shutdown is a last resort
    Steps include

    • Notifying Employees, Customers & Other Stakeholders
    • Liquidating assets
    • Paying debts
    • Filing for dissolution with the appropriate regulatory authorities. Sometimes, a company may enter bankruptcy proceedings to restructure its operations and pay off its debts.

    Financial difficulties, bankruptcy, mergers, acquisitions, or strategic reasons by the management can lead to this drastic decision.

    From that point on, a brand new Corporate Formation can take place. The structure protects personal assets from business debts and liabilities.

    Whether you are a business owner or an individual taxpayer, we have qualified professionals to guide you through tax troubles.

About Tax Relief  Helpers

  • Who is Tax Relief Helpers?

    Please see our About Us page. But, to sum it up, we have over 90 employees. The enrolled agents, friendly qualified tax associates, CPAs, tax lawyers, and other back office support staff are all on your team when you hire us.

  • What can Tax Relief Helpers do for me, exactly?

    We interface with the tax authorities for you and lower your tax debt. We are experts in tax resolution that save you valuable time. We negotiate on your behalf, so you don’t pay more taxes, penalties, and interest than you must, given your unique circumstances. Please take a look at our overview of services here.

  • Are all our conversations confidential?

    Yes. Our privacy policy protects you and our communications with you.

  • What are Tax Relief Helpers’ fees?

    You will get a personalized estimate with an estimated time frame to set your expectations. We will communicate clearly how much you can expect to pay. Every case is different. We assign the right qualified team members as needed. We save you a significant percentage of what you owe. We also relieve your stress when dealing with the authorities. So it’s not surprising that clients pay our fees happily.

  • How do I know you are the right tax resolution company to help me?

    ✔ We have excellent licensed tax lawyers and certified tax professionals.
    ✔ Our competition contracts us for complex cases to get the job done.
    ✔ We’re honest. We only charge and work with you if we can help.
    ✔ Our founders have over 75+ years of combined experience between them.
    ✔ We have seen it all when it comes to tax debt.
    ✔ We understand your stress and want to protect you.
    ✔ We save our clients millions of dollars in tax debt every year.

Get Tax Relief Help Now

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