Dealing with the IRS or State tax problems can be overwhelming. You may think that your tax issue is beyond help. However, that’s not true for us. Our tax professionals have resolved many complicated tax collection and audit issues for individuals and businesses and will do the same for you.

Whether you owe back taxes to the IRS or State, are involved with liens or levies, or have any income or payroll tax problems, we will protect you, represent you, and negotiate for you before the IRS or State.

Not all tax resolution cases are the same.  As a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist®, James Cha, CPA, knows the IRS collection and audit system inside and out. We’ll craft a custom-fit solution for your particular tax case. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and we’ll walk you through which tax resolution options you qualify for.
 

Relief for Your IRS or State Tax Problems

Do you owe the IRS or State money? Have you gotten behind on filing your tax returns? Has the IRS selected you for an audit? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you have a tax problem. Dealing with tax problems can be scary, confusing, and frustrating.

Luckily, the experts at James M. Cha, CPA & Company can help. We specialize in helping individuals and businesses find solutions to their federal and state tax issues. Wondering what to do in your situation? Then, take a look at these common tax problems, and explore the links for more tips and information.
 

Tax Resolution Options for Common Tax Problems

To put it simply, tax resolution services are designed to help you solve tax problems. The resolution options vary based on your situation and the problem you’re facing. Whether you’ve received a letter from the IRS or State, have unfiled returns, or are dealing with another issue, we can provide you with custom-designed resolution services tailored to your unique tax problem to protect your income and assets.
 

Unpaid Taxes: Owing the IRS Money

When people owe money to the IRS, they often just want to ignore the issue. That is the worst decision you can make. When you have unpaid taxes, the IRS adds penalties to your account, and the agency can also enforce collections against you such as garnishing your wages or taking your assets. To protect yourself, you need to be proactive about making payment arrangements negotiating a resolution option with the IRS.
 

When Your Spouse Owes the IRS

Typically, when you file a joint tax return with your spouse, you are both responsible for the tax debt. However, there are exceptions to this rule in the following types of situations:

• Your spouse hid income from you, and you had no reason to know about it.
• Your spouse incorrectly claimed credits or took deductions without your knowledge.
• Your spouse coerced you into signing a return with an understated tax liability.

If you’re dealing with tax issues created solely by your spouse, ex-spouse, or late spouse, you may qualify for innocent spouse relief. This program splits up the tax liability so that you are only responsible for your portion of the tax bill.
 

Unfiled Taxes: Filing Old Years’ Returns

If you forget to file a tax return, the situation often snowballs, and before you know it, you may have years of unfiled tax returns. You shouldn’t ignore this situation because eventually the IRS will find you, and then, the agency can estimate your tax bill, assess a tax liability against you, and collect it through liens and levies.

A tax resolution firm can help you catch up on your unfiled returns as quickly and painlessly as possible. Then, they can help you negotiate the best resolution option for the amount you owe.
 

Help With IRS Audits

The words “tax audit” can be two of the scariest words in the English language. If the IRS selects you for a tax audit, you have to spend a lot of time dealing with the auditor and backing up the details on your tax return.

Then, if the auditor disagrees with your return, they may propose changes that lead to a tax bill. At that point, you can appeal or deal with the new tax liability. To get through the process, you need a tax professional who can provide audit defense and deal with the IRS on your behalf.
 

Notice of Federal Tax Liens

A federal tax lien is a public notice of the IRS’s legal claim to your assets. If you don’t pay your tax bill, the IRS can issue a lien that attaches to all of your personal and real property. It also attaches to your future property, and it can stay attached to your property after death. Usually, the IRS doesn’t issue liens unless you owe at least $10,000, but the agency can file liens for any level of tax debt.
 

Tax Levies

A tax levy is when the IRS seizes your property. This can include wage garnishments, seizing your bank accounts, and taking your physical assets. Before issuing tax levies, the IRS must send you a notice that gives you a certain amount of time to pay and notifies you of your right to a hearing.

However, there are two main exceptions — the IRS doesn’t need to notify you before seizing your tax refunds, and the agency doesn’t need to notify you in cases of jeopardy levies. A jeopardy levy is when the agency feels like the tax collection is at risk (i.e. because you’re planning to leave the country or sell your assets).
 

IRS Letters, Notifications, and Demands for Payment

The IRS primarily corresponds to taxpayers through the mail, and if you receive an IRS notice, you should not ignore it. Instead, read the notice carefully to see what it says, and then, note the deadline on your calendar. Most notices outline payment options or tell you what steps you need to take, but IRS notices are notoriously confusing. So you may want to contact a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist who specializes in IRS collection for help.
 

Passport Revocation or Denial

Are you behind with IRS Taxes? You might not know it, but if you owe taxes, this might have consequences when you want to go to travel.

The IRS certifies tax debts of $59,000 or more (for 2023). This amount is adjusted annually for inflation. This debt amount also includes accrued interest and penalties. If you pass this debt threshold and receive notice of a federal tax lien and the period to challenge it has expired or a levy has been issued, you could experience serious issues the next time you go to use your passport.

If you have received this notice, the State Department will usually not renew or issue a new passport. Sometimes, they will even revoke passports too. Certifying the debt of a delinquent taxpayer to the State Department can lead to the denial, revocation, or limitation of your passport. The good news is that this certification can be reversed.
 

Tax Penalties

The IRS assesses harsh penalties when you pay or file late. The penalties for filing late are significantly higher than paying late, but both penalties can get up to 25% (47.5% maximum combined penalty on both penalties) of your tax balance. There are also penalties for paying and filing federal business tax returns late. Luckily, the IRS offers penalty waivers, but only for first-time offenses or when you have reasonable cause.
 

Get Help With Tax Problems

Are you dealing with one of the tax problems listed above? It’s time for you to stop living in fear.
Tell us your tax burdens and take the first step towards true freedom. Schedule your free confidential consultation today.