Receive an IRS Tax notice?  Taking action with IRS Back Taxes

Receiving a tax notice that you owe the IRS can be quite disturbing. It is easy to get into the mindset of just ignoring it and hoping it will go away. Unfortunately, ignoring it will only make matters worse. The best thing you can do is try and resolve it, like most things in life. Get ahead of it and take care of it as soon as possible so you can move on.
Being proactive to pay off your tax debt generally provides for the best options. By taking action as soon as you receive your first notice, you can stay out of IRS collections. Below is some general information to guide you through to the start of the tax resolution process:
1. Open the IRS notice letter and timely respond if requested
Too many times, taxpayers put an IRS tax notice aside. Face it and open it. The very thought of it seems dreadful and inside the letter may be a bit of a shock, but get it over with and read what they have to say. Sometimes it may not be as bad as imagined or it may just be a simple mistake that can be cleared up quickly.
It is also very important to respond because the IRS generally sets out a certain response deadline in their letters. If you ignore the deadline, you may incur more IRS problems such as increased penalties and interest. Be sure to provide them with exact documentation needed and make copies of all correspondence from them and to them.
2. Read IRS Publication 1 and know your rights
IRS Publication 1 explains your rights as a taxpayer including:

  • The right to be informed
  • The right to quality service
  • The right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax
  • The right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum
  • The right to finality
  • The right to privacy
  • The right to confidentiality
  • The right to retain representation
  • The right to a fair and just tax system

Generally, your rights are preserved and respected by most IRS representatives. IRS employees can be very helpful, however, if you do run into problems, respectfully remind them and refer them to Publication 1 to get them back on track with the discussions. Also, knowing your rights can instill confidence making for more understanding and effectiveness in getting your IRS tax issue resolved.
3. Determine whether the tax is actually owed
It’s no surprise that the IRS makes mistakes. Determine the IRS tax problem, be concise and support all of the reasons you may not owe the tax or why they made a mistake. And certainly, if you cannot figure out how the IRS arrived at the tax amount, get some IRS help and hire a reputable tax attorney.
4. Call the IRS if necessary
This may be a touchy subject. Generally taxpayers are scared to death to call the IRS. Who wouldn’t be? It is intimidating and certainly tempers can be high. However, if you can keep a level head and endure the wait time, it may be the best way to find out what is going on if there is confusion or a dispute with your tax bill. If this is not possible, finding an IRS tax attorney to assist with your IRS tax problems should be an option to consider.
If there is no dispute as to the tax owed, before calling in you should have a working knowledge of the most common tax resolution options such as:

For further information or help with you’re a specific debt relief situation, call Delia Law Tax Law Firm in San Diego at (619) 639-3336 or request a no-cost tax attorney consultation.  Don’t let your IRS TAX NOTICE SIT
This blog post is not intended as legal advice and should be considered general information only.

San-Diego-Location-page-headline-picture-9.27.23-1 Federal Tax Lawyers in San Diego Archive

IRS Tax Lien Help in San Diego

Feeling overwhelmed is common if you have outstanding taxes owed to the IRS. Unsettled tax obligations can lead to significant repercussions. Various strategies may be ...
los-angeles-skyline-mountains Federal IRS Tax Lawyers in Los Angeles California

IRS Tax Lien Help in Los Angeles

When it comes to taxes, one of the worst things that can happen is having the IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien against ...
Payment Arrangements with the IRS in Los Angeles Blog Archive

Payment Arrangements with the IRS in Los Angeles

Looking into making payment arrangements with the IRS in Los Angeles? Should you call a federal tax attorney in Los Angeles for your IRS tax problems?  Navigating ...
What to do when tax preparer messes up Blog Archive

What to Do When Your Tax Preparer Messes Up Your Taxes

Facing IRS Tax debt or an IRS tax audit due to errors made by your tax preparer? Here’s a comprehensive guide on steps to take ...
Scroll to Top

Notice

Federal IRS Practice.  Attorney advertisement. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. (1) Attorneys of Delia Law P.C. are only licensed in the jurisdictions mentioned in their biographies and not all lawyers mentioned or displayed in Website content may be able to assist clients without adding attorneys admitted in the specific jurisdiction; (2) Delia Law P.C.’s only offices are in Maryland and New York. Mentioned other locations are unstaffed virtual locations, by appointment only, that are not designed to suggest or create a permanent presence; (3) Local counsel are independent and not partners or employees of Delia Law P.C.; (4) All clients of Delia Law P.C. will receive additional, written information (about the lawyer assignment/licensing in the case, our fees etc.) before making a decision to becoming a client. All website Terms and disclaimers apply.

Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes; attorney advertising. All information on this website has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While this information may constitute attorney advertising in some jurisdictions, merely reading this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, any prior result described or referred to herein cannot guarantee similar outcomes in the future. All visitors to this Website are informed that Delia Law P.C. (“Firm”) works with affiliated lawyers (referred to as “Local Counsel”) in various cities and states across the United States. These Local Counsel may assist the Firm on a case-by-case basis, operate their own respective law firms, are independent of Firm, and are not partners, owners, of counsel, or employees of Firm. Clients and prospective clients should be aware that when referencing to Firm’s experience, this experience may combine the knowledge and experience of both Firm and its frequently used Local Counsel in the aggregate. Specifically, if and when Firm cooperates with Local Counsel, Firm will disclose the details to the client in writing for their approval. Delia Law P.C. is headquartered in New York City. References to a particular city or state in any article or anywhere on this website does NOT mean that Firm maintains an office with staff in that location, and it does NOT mean that Firm has attorneys physically located in that city or state. Firm’s lawyers are only licensed to practice state law in the states mentioned in their respective biographies. With few case-by-case exceptions, Firm’s practice is limited to matters and questions of federal law and federal procedure. Firm’s engagement letter and Firm’s website disclaimers provide additional details.