In this article, you can discover…
- Why you should never ignore a letter or notice from the IRS.
- Why it’s best to avoid national tax resolution companies and hire an attorney instead.
- How an experienced tax attorney can help negotiate with the IRS on your behalf.
Why Is Ignoring IRS Tax Letters A Costly Mistake For Taxpayers?
Ignoring IRS letters can spiral into a costly cycle of penalties, interest and legal actions, which can have an immense impact financially and personally. You could also wind up losing certain benefits and tax refunds. As a result, it’s imperative to act quickly to get any issues described in the IRS letter resolved.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for many taxpayers to set these letters aside or not open them as a way to spare themselves the stress of dealing with their debts. But the stresses you’ll face in the long term will far outweigh the stress you feel when you consider the unopened letter on your desk.
The “ostrich approach” to tax debt is never the solution. Instead, you should take a deep breath and reach out to an experienced tax law firm for help.
At Ecton Law Firm, PA, we exist to help you resolve your tax problems. Reach out to us. We can help you meet tight appeal deadlines, negotiate with the IRS, and spare you and your family immense amounts of stress, financial loss, and worry.
How Does Filing My Taxes Late Increase Penalties And Risk?
If you file your federal tax returns late, you’ll accrue a failure to file penalty of 5% per month, up to 25% in total. North and South Carolina, too, have “failure to file” penalties that can reach up to 25% of your tax debt. Even if you can’t pay the tax, it’s advisable to file your returns on time to eliminate some of those penalties.
Attorney John Ecton is a veteran, trusted tax lawyer serving the Carolinas. Since 1992, he’s helped clients just like you avoid costly IRS mistakes and helped them put tax debt behind them legally, safely, and confidently.
Have questions, or in need of legal guidance? Reach out to Ecton Law Firm, PA for an initial consultation today.
Why Should I Avoid National Tax Resolution Companies When Dealing With The IRS?
It’s essential to be cautious when you’re considering a national tax resolution company. Many of those organizations use aggressive sales tactics and promise results that cannot be guaranteed. It is impossible for these companies to know if you qualify for “pennies on the dollar” settlements without a careful review of your finances. Still, national tax resolution companies will sell this solution upfront.
In fact, our firm has seen such companies cost clients thousands of dollars without any progress in their cases. Many such clients have had these companies pass their case around, have struggled to get anyone on the phone, and feel exhausted and frustrated when they finally call us.
Reach out to us before you call a national tax resolution company. With Ecton Law Firm, PA, you’ll get a personal legal relationship with someone you can see and talk to, who can get you the resolutions you need.
Why Is Calling The IRS Directly Without A Tax Attorney Risky?
Calling the IRS directly without a tax attorney can lead to costly errors and missed opportunities. An experienced attorney can help protect you financially, negotiate with the IRS, and help protect you from saying things that will make your case more difficult to resolve.
IRS agents are trained to collect information, and once you start talking to them, they’ll document everything you say and could easily use it against you. Remember, these agents are not there to help you as much as they’re there to collect on that debt.
Without an attorney, you may disclose financial information that you didn’t need to mention, agree to terms that aren’t in your best interests, or agree to a payment plan you can’t actually afford. A tax attorney will understand how to navigate these conversations, understand IRS protocols, and clearly grasp the Internal Revenue Code.
Your tax attorney can also help you keep critical deadlines that an IRS agent may not disclose or help obtain an offer compromise you wouldn’t have been able to secure alone. It’s always best to allow your lawyer to speak to the IRS rather than attempting it yourself.
Notes From Our Work: When A Minor Mistake Turns Into A Serious IRS Issue
Many clients delay filing more recent tax returns to avoid having to pay further taxes. They reason, “Well, I can’t pay this, so I’m not going to file”. They do this without realizing how terribly expensive failure to file penalties are.
Other clients fail to notice or completely ignore deadlines in letters they receive from the IRS. They’ll ignore those deadlines until their wages are garnished and then reach out to a lawyer for help.
Some clients will claim a higher-than-reasonable number of allowances on their W4 to reduce the taxes they have to pay each month. This can lead to serious consequences, even criminal charges, especially in South Carolina.
Our advice? Don’t delay filing, ignore notices, ignore deadlines, or try to cheat the system. Let Ecton Law Firm, PA review your case, reach out to the IRS on your behalf, and help you tackle your tax debt problem once and for all, the right way.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on IRS mistakes made by taxpayers in the Carolinas, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling South Carolina (803) 771-9800 And North Carolina (980) 677-1099 today.
