Posted on Mon, Jul 30, 2012 @ 11:43 AM
Has the IRS contacted you and notified you that you are the unlucky recipient of an audit? If they have, call the Levy team of tax professionals to represent you. Our experienced staff of CPAs, attorneys, accountants, enrolled agents and tax consultants will assist you in the resolution of the audit (also referred to as an "exam").
Earlier this month, a client from Lantana, Florida contacted the Levy office and stated that they had been audited for several years and failed to respond to the exam agents requests at the time. Now, the IRS has assessed him over $300,000, based on their calculations. These balances are incorrect due to the taxpayer not responding. The case is now assigned to the collection division and a local revenue officer from the West Palm Beach IRS office has issued a request for a 433A via a summons. One of the Power of Attorneys at the Levy office informed the revenue officer that the taxpayer will be attempting to reopen the audit through administrative remedies. The collection side of this case should temporarily cease as the case will shift back to the exam division.
Many taxpayers don't respond because they don't know how to, are simply afraid and or bury their heads in the sand (or all of the above). When you receive an IRS letter - immediately call the Levy team and we will explain what options exist and how to navigate through the IRS civil collection or exam divisions.
We have assisted thousands of taxpayers - and successfully resolved tax problems for many people that were causing sleepless nights. Get you life back on track - don't procrastinate - call our office today or fill out the form to the right.
The IRS matters can be resolved. Let the Levy team show you how it is done. We are an A+ rated BBB accredited member and pride ourselves on the personalized service given to all clients.
Don't let the IRS rule your world - start taking back control of your life.
Posted on Thu, May 03, 2012 @ 12:45 PM
Why you need to know the difference
Not all IRS representatives are the same. This doesn't refer to their personalities (which, despite popular jokes, aren't all the same either), but rather to the types of jobs they hold within the IRS, and the duties associated with those jobs.
The top-level IRS employees are Special Agents (SAs), the “police force” of the IRS. These agents carry badges and firearms, and investigate tax crimes like embezzlement. Hopefully, you'll never deal with an IRS Special Agent.
You're more likely to encounter revenue agents and revenue officers. There are differences between them, and it's a good idea to know which one does what job—especially if a representative of the IRS shows up looking for you.
IRS revenue agents: Crunching the numbers
The main purpose of a revenue agent is to conduct audits. IRS agents carry blue and white plastic photo IDs, and usually show up at businesses rather than homes. These agents are not involved with collection of tax debt—they're simply there to assess the amount owed, particularly if an audit notice has been issued.
IRS revenue officers: Collecting the bills
Similarly to agents, revenue officers use blue-and-white plastic photo ID cards to identify themselves, but their duties are different. The job of a revenue officer is to locate taxpayers who owe money to the IRS, and attempt to collect on back taxes.
The goal of a revenue officer is to collect tax debt as quickly as possible, in the fullest possible amount. IRS officers may visit your home or place of employment in their attempts to collect (usually after an audit letter has already been sent out). They're authorized to levy bank accounts, garnish wages, or file federal tax liens, and may even seize your assets to cover the debt.
Know your rights
Whether you're dealing with a revenue agent or a revenue officer, you have certain rights as a taxpayer. Being aware of those rights can help you deal with an officer that may be somewhat forceful in attempting to collect debt. For example, IRS collections can't result in undue hardship, and there are certain assets that are exempt from being seized.
If you are approached by a revenue agent or revenue officer, the experience can be unsettling and confusing. It's often in your best interests to hire a tax resolution firm to represent you, rather than dealing with the situation yourself.
Tax resolution specialists have a strong understanding of your rights as a taxpayer, and are often able to negotiate arrangements with IRS revenue officers and agents that will protect your property and prevent financial hardship.
You have the right to (politely) inform any revenue agent officer that you're seeking representation to resolve your tax debt—as long as it's the truth. Therefore, in the event that you are confronted by an IRS officer, it's essential to contact a tax resolution specialist right away once you've stated that you're looking for representation.
If you have any questions and would like to speak to someone from our A+ BBB rated staff, please click on the link below or call us at 888-411-LEVY (5389).
Posted on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 @ 12:41 PM
Recently the IRS eased up on the rules associated with smaller tax debts. Taxpayers with tax obligations up to $50,000 can now enter into streamlined agreements with up to 72 months to pay their tax obligations. These new rules have increased the liability for streamlined agreements from $25,000 to $50,000. Furthermore, by setting up a monthly payment plan, the IRS is now allowing up to 72 months for repayment.
A request for an installment agreement can't be turned down if the tax owed is less than $10,000 and all three of the following apply:
- During the past 5 tax years, you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) have timely filed all income tax returns and paid any income tax due, and have not entered into an installment agreement for payment of income tax.
- The IRS determines that you cannot pay the tax owed in full when it is due and you give the IRS any information needed to make that determination.
- You agree to pay the full amount you owe within 3 years and to comply with the tax laws while the agreement is in effect.
For questions regarding these new rules and to see if you may qualify, please call 888-411-LEVY (5389) or fill out the form to the right and someone from our A+ BBB Rated staff will contact you shortly.
Posted on Tue, Dec 27, 2011 @ 08:32 AM
The innocent spouse request can often times be complicated. Even though your divorce decree specifies that your former spouse is liable for all taxes, the IRS does not have to honor that divorce judgement.
Yesterday, a client from Franklin, MI contacted the Levy office. The client had been previously married and filed several years as married filing jointly with the former spouse in which a balance was due to the IRS. The former spouse assured our new client that the IRS debt would be paid - however, as is often the case, the debt of course was not paid.
Now, a local revenue officer from the Farmington Hills Michigan IRS office has been assigned to the case. Within 30 minutes of the Levy office being retained, we contacted the revenue officer on their government issued cell phone and advised them to expect our power of attorney form via facsimile.
Prior to our involvement, the taxpayer had their CPA interacting with the revenue officer. The CPA believed that the innocent spouse claim and the IRS collections arena was beyond their skill set and decided to bring in the Levy team to save the day.
Innocent spouse claims are never easy. They are time consuming and often stir up sensitive topics and become filled with emotions. If you believe that an innocent spouse claim is applicable to you, call the tax professionals today at the Levy office for a confidential and free consultation. Call 888 411 LEVY today or fill out the contact us form to the right. Our staff will immediately begin to address your tax problems. Don't let your IRS troubles dampen the holiday season. By calling the Levy office today, your holiday season will be filled with more joy as you will see light at the end of the IRS tunnel.
Posted on Tue, Dec 13, 2011 @ 10:56 AM
Do you owe less than $25,000 to the IRS? If you do, the IRS had, earlier this year, revised its streamlined criteria (installment agreement) for individual taxpayers. Yesterday, a taxpayer from Detroit, Michigan stated that she had been placed into a $1700 per MONTH installment agreement, yet she owes less than $25,0000!!!
When this taxpayer called the IRS, the representative required that she provide financials - over the phone. Had this Detroit Michigan taxpayer known the rules, she could have politely stated that providing financials was not required and that she was requesting a streamlined installment agreement.
If you are currently paying the IRS on a monthly installment agreement, and would like to see if other options exist, call Levy & Associates Inc now for a confidential consultation: 888 411 LEVY or fill out the contact us form to the right and one of our tax consultants will contact you shortly. Options exist that are within your cash flow. The tax professionals at Levy will resolve your IRS problems today.