The average taxpayer has a negative impression of the IRS. Tax season is a burden that many people avoid by hiring some type of accountant or tax professional to take care of the headache.
As a result, many tax resolution services have cropped up over the last decade, each with their own sales pitch and lists of promises about how they’ll save you money.
Unfortunately, not every tax resolution service can deliver on what they advertise. So, how do you choose a reputable tax service?
Everyone appreciates an experienced company. After all, expertise takes years to build. It’s the same with tax services. The best tax resolution services stand the test of time because they know what they are doing and deliver for their clients.
Tax code and legal work are complicated. You shouldn’t jeopardize your personal tax and debt issues by hiring an inexperienced firm. The first step you should take is to analyze how many years the tax resolution company has been in operation. One cardinal rule is to not agree to have your taxes handled by anyone with less than five years of experience in the industry.
Experience is crucial. The qualifications of the staff employed at a tax firm are even more important. Therefore, ask a lot of questions when you are interviewing different tax resolution services. Ask about their staff. If they list qualifications on a website and something stands out, don’t be afraid to request working with someone specific.
The best staff members are those who have experience working with the IRS. Some firms, like Levy & Associates even employ people who are former employees of the Internal Revenue Service. After all, who would know the IRS better than a former employee?
You can also inquire about certification and licenses. Reputable tax professionals belong to organizations like the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Regardless of the association, all reputable tax professionals are admitted to the state bar.
The Better Business Rating will offer a really good, unbiased assessment of the tax resolution company. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reveals aspects of a company that help you know if they’re professional and operate with integrity.
We recommend checking the BBB grade/rating, overall score, number of outstanding complaints, and the number of lawsuits filed against the company. Any company with pending lawsuits or multiple lawsuits in the past are obviously red flags.
Did you know that, as a client of a tax firm, you have the right to ask for references before signing any type of commitment?
Checking with references can get you connected to actual customers who have dealt with the tax resolution service in the past. Simply posting testimonies on their website is not enough. You do not know if the testimonies are legitimate or not.
Never trust a company that refuses to provide references for “privacy reasons” or some other excuse. You can find other services that are more than willing to provide references.
Once you receive some references you can follow up with former clients to learn more about their personal experience doing business with the company.
It may sound counterproductive, but you should actually avoid a tax resolution service that constantly offers firm guarantees. Why? No reputable tax resolution can guarantee that you will receive the resolution you want from the IRS.
The IRS is a complicated, unpredictable machine, and they don’t always settle on tax resolutions like you would want. Even seasoned tax pros can admit they don’t always receive the outcome they expected despite years of dealing with the agency.
As a result, a dependable firm will be upfront and acknowledge that while they hope to gain a favorable outcome, nothing is guaranteed. Your individual case depends on a number of important factors.
Another red flag of a dishonest tax resolution service is being vague about pricing. The best tax resolution companies are clear about their pricing from the start.
Some tax resolution services charge flat rates, while some bill by the hour. Take notice of flat rates because they are often inflated. Hiring a firm that charges by the hour helps you hold them accountable.
You should also inquire about a retainer fee and if expenses like courier costs, document preparation, and other fees are included in the pricing. All of the costs of the service should be explained thoroughly in writing beforehand.
Levy & Associates has been doing business helping people with taxes for more than two decades. All of our staff members are experienced, certified, and professional. We are also an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
Levy & Associates does not make false promises or guarantees. We will work overtime for a favorable outcome regarding your tax resolution. Contact us today at 800-TAX-LEVY, or visit www.www.levytaxhelp.com.
Levy & Associates is available for free initial consultations. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about the audit process or address any concerns about your specific situation.
There’s never a good time to be audited, and the time-consuming process will take away from your business or family if you try to face it alone. Let us handle and coordinate communication, so you can return to your daily life.