10 Thoughts on Tax Offer in Compromise

Beware of advertisements that claim to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar". Check the Offer In Compromise requirements to see if it is right for you.

1. If you are unable to pay a tax debt in full, if the taxpayer establishes to the satisfaction of the IRS that he either: has no means of paying the tax, or does not actually owe the tax--and an installment agreement cannot be worked out--the IRS strives to resolve the taxpayer's tax debt.

2. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of the offer in compromise (OIC), but there are hurdles to overcome before the Internal Revenue Service accepts less than full payment. To date, taxpayers who have gone through the Offer in Compromise program to settle their tax bill have saved millions of dollars.

3. An OIC delinquent tax settlement is an agreement taxes owed for less than the full amount of taxes due. It's a complex decision and a tax attorney is needed for his extensive expertise in planning, preparing, negotiating and even appealing rejections.

4. IRS Code Sec. 7122 gives the IRS power authority to settle--compromise--federal tax liabilities. Exceptional circumstances sometimes exist that allow the IRS to consider an OIC program for the taxpayer. For example, a taxpayer must demonstrate that collection of the tax would create an economic hardship or would be unfair and inequitable.

5. Very few offers were accepted in the past, because the standards were almost impossible to meet before a tax debt was legally compromised. Recent tax legislation has given new hope to taxpayers who were previously disqualified.

6. In the past the IRS really did not want to encourage OIC's. Prior to 1992 the IRS has been reluctant to settle tax liabilities, but with mounting uncollected taxes, the IRS has decided to go easy on the growing number of cases it sees.

7. Today, the OIC program is one of the best tax resolution tools available to taxpayers. The IRS will accept an OIC when it looks unlikely that the taxes will be collected; but before that happens a good tax person must know and carefully navigate virtually every key regulation involved.

8. After all taxpayer avenues are explored and different available payment options are reviewed, the IRS makes a "business" decision: they want to collect a partial payment rather than nothing at all. The IRS is thinking, "Is there is doubt that the taxpayer will ever pay the full amount of tax owed?"

9. An OIC amount "offered" by the IRS is the amount that they feel that they can reasonably expect to collect after reviewing-- and exhausting--the taxpayer's ability to pay. The IRS weighs the doubt as to liability and doubt as to whether the tax assessed is correct.

10. Beware of advertisements they claim to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar", allowing taxpayers to settle their taxes for less, or often much less than you owe (or what the government claims you owe). The IRS resolves less than one percent of all balance due accounts through an OIC agreement.

Kirt Durst
Dedicated to offering news, articles, and instruction on tax. You have a definite choice in organizing your financial affairs. Visit http://www.aidtax.com for more information.

maide service in Lincolnshire ..
In The News:

New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.
Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.
Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.
The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.
Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.
Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.
Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.
Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.
OpenAI announced upgrades for its ChatGPT Images platform on Tuesday, saying the program can now make more precise edits and produce images more quickly.
Chrome for Android now turns web articles into AI-powered podcast conversations. Get hands-free browsing with Google Gemini's natural audio summaries.
LastPass faces $1.6 million fine from U.K. regulators after 2022 data breach exposed 1.6 million users. Password manager failed proper security controls.
Petco disclosed a data breach exposing customer Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license information due to a software error.
Baseball teams can now analyze complete swing mechanics in normal training environments using Theia's markerless AI system that processes standard high-speed footage.
Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.
MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.

Know A Tax Cheat? Get Paid To Tell The IRS

According to the IRS, taxpayers underpay their taxes by some... Read More

Tax Reduction Tips

In the rush to get tax returns prepared and filed... Read More

Keeping Your Own Money ? NOT Handing It Over To The Taxman

Most people trying to make a crust online (or offline... Read More

Need a Copy of Your Tax Return Information?

Taxpayers have two easy and convenient options for getting copies... Read More

Tax Deductions - Mr. C.P.A. Can I Deduct a Pizza? You Too Can Deduct Your Fun By Using Tax Tips

Recently, I stumbled across a concept that could change your... Read More

Small Business Tax Deductions for Year End 2004

As a small business owner, it's wise to familiarize yourself... Read More

What to Do If You Can?t Pay Your Taxes

The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What... Read More

Tax Trap #5 -- Ignoring The IRS (and the 5 best ways to contact them!)

We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? And... Read More

Furnishing Evidence in E-Tax Compliance

Self-assessment relies on taxpayers voluntarily meeting their tax obligations. This... Read More

The Implications of Income Tax Charge on Estate Planning

OverviewIn the Pre-Budget Report of December 2003 the Chancellor Gordon... Read More

Small Business Tax Credit - Americans with Disabilities Act

Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of... Read More

How Likely Are You To Be Audited?

Statistics for IndividualsUnfortunately, the IRS increased its rate of auditing... Read More

Paying Workers ? What Can You Write-Off?

As your business grows, you are going to need help.... Read More

Access to E-records by Taxing Authorities: A Case for Pakistan (Part I)

Background issues of access to recordsTo assess the records at... Read More

Tax Trap #3 -- IRS Penalties, Interest and Love Letters

As a small business owner or self-employed person, one of... Read More

How to Reduce the Estate Tax Using the A-B Revocable Living Trust

In a past article I relayed the plight of the... Read More

Understanding Marketing Tax Deductions

Marketing is a necessary expense in running practically any business... Read More

Rearrange Your Affairs For Maximum Tax Savings

One way to maximize your business profits is by reducing... Read More

Small Businesses: Company Car Vs. Personal Mileage Reimbursement In Hurricane Katrinas Wake

With gas prices at an all time high before Hurricane... Read More

Need an Offshore Sales Office in a Tax Free Environment?

The 100 year old investment-banking firm of... Read More

How to Donate Your Car to Charity and Get Tax Deduction

Donating your used car to charity is a win-win situation;... Read More

Electronic Commerce Taxation and Pakistan

Assume a buyer in Pakistan downloads software from the Internet... Read More

Are You Overpaying Taxes If You Use Tax Preparation Software?

For many business owners the answer to this quandary is... Read More

Navigating The Internet Sales Tax Laws

QUESTION: I have been contacted by my local city... Read More

Amending Procedural Laws for Collection of E-taxation

The electronic transaction ordinance defines the certificated copies in which... Read More

cleaning lady near Deerfield ..