Readers of my blog know I like to unload on the IRS occasionally. Here’s another story from the Tax Troll Trenches Read more »
IRS
What Happens to Tax Liens In Bankruptcy?
Debtor’s often have Notice of Federal Tax Lien outstanding at the time they file bankruptcy. How are these handled? Broadly, a properly-noticed lien survives bankruptcy. It continues to attach to any property Read more »
Why You Should Give IRS As Much Documentation As Possible
There are hundreds of strategies for handling IRS issues. But not all strategies are as effective as others.
A car-repair owner got audited and brought his tax-return preparer (Jim) to handle the audit. The preparer said to give the IRS as little information as possible . “The IRS won’t want to go to trial, and they’ll cave in at the last minute,” he said. But something didn’t seem right Read more »
Why IRS Doesn’t Negotiate Payroll Tax Debt – EVER
Business owners with payroll tax debt often ask me why the IRS won’t lift its levy or lien. After all, these clients argue, I just need a bit of free cash to invest back into my business, to make the money to pay what I owe. If the IRS cripples my business with liens or levies, then I can’t make the money to repay them. So, why doesn’t the IRS act more like my business partner, let me continue to operate, and make the money to pay them back Read more »
The Statute of Limitations on IRS & FTB Tax Debt Collection
A potential client called me last week for help in dealing with the IRS. He owes taxes for 1992 to 1996. Had he filed the returns on time? Yes. Had he filed bankruptcy in the meantime? No. Had he filed an offer in compromise? No. Has he heard anything from the IRS in the last three years? No, but he thought that was because he had moved Read more »
Discharging Tax Debt in Bankruptcy
It’s possible to discharge (have tax debt wiped out) most federal taxes in bankruptcy. There are exceptions, however. Many of the times when taxes aren’t dischargeable in bankruptcy are very Read more »
When Can You DIY an IRS Offer In Compromise?
The IRS and the FTB don’t negotiate tax debt. Neither agency will write off a dime of tax debt because the taxpayer asks it to. Their missions are to collect Read more »
Tax Protesters Sail on Seas of Fantasy
Is it true that there is no law requiring payment of income tax? After all, many tax protesters assert this. And, in my 10 years as an attorney for the Read more »
Got Bad Info From an IRS Agent? Too Bad…the Law Assumes They’re Incompetent. Seriously.
A client spoke IRS with an IRS revenue officer about his payroll tax issue (before he found me). The revenue officer said not to worry about it, that my client’s Read more »
Cheerleading Biden’s Increased IRS Budget Proposal
I enthusiastically applaud President Biden’s proposal to increase the IRS’s budget by $1.2 billion, or more than 10 percent over this year’s budget. In fact, call me a huge cheerleader for this proposal