Great Review from Ventura County

Did You Know?, IRS, Results, Taxes

I am always so pleased when I am able to secure a positive result for a client!

Trump and DOGE Attack on the IRS

Did You Know?, Policy, Taxes, Taxes in the News

The Washington Post recently enumerated the numerous political problems facing Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative (Department of Governmental Efficiency) like how it is grappling with bad public relations and is trying have its work seen as a win for the average citizen rather than as a callous and undisciplined attack on the country’s federal agencies. Read more »
March 25, 2025

How Threatening is the IRS Collections Notice I Just Received?

IRS, Tax Liens, Taxes

Almost everyone calls me in a panic after receiving a collections notice from the IRS threatening to levy on their bank account, attach their wages, or put a lien on their house. They all think it will happen immediately: “Please call me back ASAP because the IRS gave me a deadline of tomorrow/next week/10 days!!” Um, no. Chances are, you’ve got many months, if not years, until the IRS pursues aggressive collections action. Read more »
March 14, 2025

DOGE Access to IRS Data Will Harm Confidentiality and Compliance

In the News, IRS

I recently wrote about Elon Musk’s DOGE’s attempt to access the IRS’ main database of all taxpayer information. Since then many colleagues and clients have asked what I think about this, especially as a former IRS attorney and now a tax attorney who needs to access the IRS’ IDRS database almost daily. Herewith, more on what I REALLY think…. Read more>>
February 24, 2025

DOGE Wants Access to IRS Taxpayer Records

In the News, IRS

Musk’s DOGE team wants access to the IRS database of all taxpayer records. Why? The purported purpose of DOGE is to root out bureaucratic inefficiency in the federal government. But will DOGE access to extremely sensitive and personal financial information on every taxpayer in the country eliminate government waste? Or, perhaps, is granting DOGE access to taxpayer records a way for the current administration to gain information on political enemies? Read more>>
February 17, 2025

Car Lenders and Customers Who File Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy

What happens to cars in bankruptcy? Or cars with notes? After all, almost everyone filing bankruptcy has a car. And cars are usually one of the larger assets a debtor owns. The answer depends on what a car is worth, whether it’s been paid off, and whether the car lender requires a Reaffirmation Agreement. Read more »
November 20, 2024

When Can Your Congressmember Help with the IRS?

Taxes

It’s election season, so Congress is on my mind. Occasionally, I have called on my client’s Representative to get what I need from the IRS. And every time, the IRS has responded to the congressmember immediately, whereas I was often ignored for months. Why and when does this work? Read more »
November 7, 2024

Tax Collection Statute of Limitations

Tax Collection Issues

Both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) have Statute of Limitations on tax collections. The Statute of Limitations refers to the period of time during which the IRS and FTB can legally collect taxes, penalties, and interest from a taxpayer. Once the Statute of Limitations clock runs out, then what remains owing on the tax debt is erased. For federal taxes, the IRS’ clock on legal ability to collect taxes is 10 years. For California state taxes, the FTB’s clock is 30 years. But, there are things that stop the clock, thus extending the time the tax agency has to collect the tax liability. Read more »
September 20, 2024