Taking Care of Client Expectations

TheCPATaxProblemSolver’s Plan to Tax Resolution

What You Should Expect When Solving Your IRS Tax Obligation

All of my clients that retain my tax relief services want to know two things:

1)  Can I settle this for less than they owe; 2) How much time will it take?

Upon retaining me to resolve your tax obligation problem, some relief will be immediate, and some will take place in time. It is very important to remember your IRS issues didn't transpire overnight, therefore they will likewise take time to resolve. The good news is that you will not meet or speak with the IRS once I am representing you. An average Offer in Compromise (OIC) situation can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months (or longer) depending on the amount of tax liability owed, the complexity of the situation, and your specific facts and scenarios.

Guide to Resolution

Free consultation: If you have never been a client of mine, the first step is to call or come in for your confidential, no obligation, free consultation. At this meeting, I will test your situation and discuss all available options for resolving your matter. This takes about 30-45 minutes; however, sometimes the information provided at this meeting does not determine a course of action.

I advise you gather and have all recent notices and correspondence from the IRS during our first in-person or telephone consultation. The first step is to hire me to perform a Phase One Analysis where I will get your IRS transcripts and Record of Account so I can best evaluate all of your alternative settlement options.

Retaining My Services: At the end of your consultation, and if selected as a good "fit" for my firm, I will give you the opportunity to retain me as your tax representative. I will require you to sign an engagement letter and to make financial arrangements to pay for my tax help services.

I will file a power of attorney (POA) to handle all IRS correspondence and dealings on your behalf. This will provide you with immediate relief because from this point on, it will require the IRS to contact me instead of you. If an IRS representative should contact you, all you need to do is provide my contact information, including phone number, and request he or she contacts "Keith L. Jones, CPA" firm. Each state requires a separate POA for any state tax problem you may need help with.

Beginning the Tax Resolution Process: Unlike many other tax resolution companies, a case manager WILL NOT be in charge of your case. Although I use the team approach to resolve your tax problems, I will be your primary point of contact and available to you by direct-dial phone, individual email, or in person. I am supported by a staff of experienced technical specialists who will work together with me to develop a phased strategy for resolving your case and advising you on what steps to take for the most effective resolution

IRS Compliance: Prior to the IRS accepting a negotiation or settlement, you must become a compliant taxpayer. Compliance means you must file all past due income tax returns with the IRS. Compliance also means you must be "current" on your quarterly estimated income tax payments and you must withhold tax at the correct rate (if a wage earner). I am very experienced in what I must do to comply and will advise you. If you cannot furnish the records necessary to prepare your taxes, methods exist, under IRS regulations, for completing tax returns to get them filed right away.

Your Responsibilities: I often find these traits in those who achieve a successful resolution of their matters: They view the relationship with me as a collaborative one. They view this as a "project" that requires cooperation. They follow through, on a TIMELY basis, with my requests for information and documentation. Clients who achieve stated resolution goals return my phone calls and emails in a timely manner and stay in contact with me throughout the duration of their case.

Tax Settlement Negotiation: I will propose a plan of resolution to the IRS that you can live with and see through to acceptance. I possess an excellent IRS settlement track record rate and pride myself in getting the best (lowest) settlement for you under the law. It is rare that a proposal receives acceptance right away. Through diligence, persistence, and follow-up, my knowledgeable staff will monitor, provide additional information to the IRS as needed, and negotiate your proposed settlement until we achieve a resolution.

Tax Resolution: I will review the final resolution of your case by the IRS to make sure it is as agreed. If not, I will insist that it reflect what they agreed to. If the IRS is unwilling to do this, I will advise you what your options are for the next step., I will advise you on what you must do to succeed with your resolution and avoid future tax problems.

The Journey to Financial Freedom

The road to tax debt forgiveness and financial freedom is doable. However, tax debt forgiveness is contingent upon future tax compliance. Folks must stay current for at least five years after the IRS approves the offer in compromise. Otherwise, the tax balance is reinstated.

Many individuals and business owners find that handling their tax needs on their own not only takes time away from what matters—running and growing your business-it is just down right complicated.

I go the extra mile for my clients by offering “after care” in the form of accounting services & year-end tax preparation which keeps them on them compliant and their IRS agreement in good standing.

But here is the kicker. As a bonus, I provide tax planning to minimize their tax obligations far into the future!! Many times, with proper tax savings ideas, these folks would not have gotten “sideways” with the IRS to begin with. Most of the people I work with got into tax trouble because they received bad advice or received none. They are hard-working people looking for sound advice to help them with their tax problems.

"I help good folks solve IRS tax problems and start their journey to financial freedom!"

-Keith L. Jones, CPA