Help for IRS Tax Problems, California Tax Problems, &
Tax Liens & Assessments
Most IRS tax controversy problems arise from a taxpayer's failure to communicate with the IRS. Why no communication? Many taxpayers:
- Have a general fear of the IRS;
- Fear they will say something inappropriate to the IRS;
- Procrastinate due to their very real fears;
- End up in IRS collections due to their inability to deal with their IRS tax problems.
- IRS collection tools such as an IRS Levy, an IRS Lien, and an IRS Wage Garnishment only occur after the taxpayer has ignored numerous IRS notices about their delinquent tax problems or unfiled tax returns. Think about it: the government does not want to expend its resources tracking you down, and preparing and serving a bank levy to collect IRS taxes. That's a lot of work for them.
Here is where my California law firm can help you. One of the best services I provide is that I communicate with the IRS about your tax problems for you. The sooner our law firm is involved the sooner I can stop IRS collection levies, liens and garnishments. Here is how I solve your IRS tax problems for you:
- I will call the IRS for you so you can relax. In all but most aggravated cases I can get a hold put on IRS collection levies, liens and garnishments for 30 - 60 days to work out your IRS tax problem. Often, they are glad to hear from our law firm because they can stop working so hard to issue the levies, liens and garnishments.
- I will listen to you to be sure I have all the important facts of your IRS tax case.
- If you are missing important 1040 tax return information I will order it for you through the Freedom Of Information Act.
- I will help you get in compliance by reviewing your IRS income tax returns or having them prepared correctly for you. The IRS will not even begin to negotiate with our law firm unless you, the taxpayer, is in full compliance with all tax returns filed. I will make sure that the tax you owe is the correct tax. Oftentimes, IRS tax problems arise from taxpayers preparing their own 1040 income tax return incorrectly. I have had great success reducing taxpayer's penalties and interest by simply correcting erroneous returns.
- I will assist you to prepare IRS form 433-A to properly assess your ability to pay your tax liabilities. Based upon that assessment I will determine whether you are a candidate for the Offer in Compromise Program. An Offer in Compromise is where you offer to pay the IRS less than the amount you actually owe in taxes, penalties and interest.
- The Offer in Compromise can be a wonderful tool for some taxpayers. However, in order to quality for an Offer in Compromise your tax liabilities must greatly exceed the money and assets you own. Do not be taken in by some firms who guarantee Offer in Compromise results. The IRS is not letting everyone off the hook for Pennies on the Dollar as some advertisements proclaim.
A simple example might be where a taxpayer owes the IRS $30,000.00 but has $100,000 in retirement accounts and $200,000 equity in their home. This taxpayer is probably not a candidate for on Offer in Compromise because the IRS knows they can collect all of their tax, penalties and interest from this taxpayer. For this reason I do not usually recommend the Offer in Compromise for tax liabilities less than $50,000.00 - $75,000.00.
Also, as of July 16, 2006 the IRS enacted stricter guidelines for the Offer in Compromise Program. Please see Is An Offer In Compromise Right For You at the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=109622,00.html.
Another great resource is the Internal Revenue Manual. During my studies for my Masters of Taxation degree at the University of San Diego, School of Law, Graduate Tax Program one of my favorite professors casually said in class one day You know, there is a book in the library called the ˜Internal Revenue Manual" you really should take a look at it sometime. What an understatement! Every IRS Revenue Agent, IRS Revenue Officer and IRS Appeals Officer is trained and must go by the Internal Revenue Manual. It can be found on the IRS website. Just click Site Map and then Internal Revenue Manual Part 5 is the Collections Process. Offers in Compromise are at http://www.irs.gov/irm/part5/ch08s01.html. - Innocent Spouse Relief. You may be able to qualify for IRS Innocent Spouse relief if 1.) You did not know or have reason to know of the understatement of tax and 2.) It would not be fair to hold you responsible for the understatement of tax.
- I will review your case to determine if the Statute of Limitations for IRS collections has or is about to expire. As a licensed tax attorney, I can obtain your IRS transcripts for you in order to properly assess the limitation periods. Generally speaking, the IRS has ten (10) years to collect assessed taxes; this time is extended by various exceptions or tolling periods that extend the time. I will carefully evaulate your case to determine if there is any possibility that the IRS is barred from collecting past taxes from you due to the passage of time, and if so, I will present that argument in your behalf.
- An IRS Installment Agreement allows you to pay your IRS taxes over time. I will negotiate an Installment Agreement for you based upon the amount you are able to pay. As part of this process, I will properly prepare your IRS financial statement, IRS form 433-A in order to determine the excess money you have to pay after allowable living expenses are taken into account.
- I will analyze your case to see if you have Reasonable Cause to remove any IRS penalties. Typical IRS penalties in tax controversy cases are:
- Failure to File Your Return on Time up to a 25% penalty of the amount of tax owed on the return.
- Failure to Pay Tax on Time up to a 25% penalty of the amount of tax owed on the return.
However, I will carefully analyze ALL of the facts of your case to determine if "Reasonable Cause" for not filing your return on time, or not paying your taxes on time, may exist. If it might, I will present that argument to the IRS on your behalf.
Because I am a licensed California attorney, by law all of your tax communications to me are PRIVATE and CONFIDENTIAL. Once you have retained me, you may speak freely to me about your tax and legal concerns.
California Tax Problems
I also provide highly skilled, experienced help for problems with California taxes, including problems with the California Franchise Tax Board, California State Board of Equalization, and the California Employment Development Department. Please just contact me for an appointment.
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I help clients throughout all of California, including San Diego, Imperial County, Riverside, Los Angeles, and all other counties. You will receive personal, experienced, and understanding help directly from me. Every case in my office receives my personal attention, direction and supervision. You will speak to me directly about your case. I am the one who will return your telephone calls. My firm policy is to return every client telephone call the same day or at the latest the next day.
How to Contact R. Anthony Bauman, APLC
New clients are always welcome; and I make an effort to accommodate urgent matters. There is plenty of free parking and a convenient location just off the I-5 freeway at my Carmel Valley law firm offices, in San Diego, California. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact me either by:
Telephone: (858) 793-7007
E-mail: rbauman@sandiegotaxlaw.com
I can be reached by telephone Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may also use the
form below to contact me. This form is answered Monday through Friday during
the work day. Please remember that for me to become your attorney, we must first have a written attorney-client agreement signed by both of us, so please do not email any confidential information at this point. After I have reached an agreement with you, we can then exchange information freely. I look forward to helping you.
