IRS Offer-in-Compromise, Hype or Hope?
"Settle for Pennies on the Dollar! IRS debts settled for $20 Wipe out the Penalties with an Offer"-such is the language of Offer-in-Compromise promoters. What they fail to tell you is that one has to qualify for an Offer and few taxpayers will be able to meet the tough standards for an OIC.
The Offer-in-Compromise (OIC) has been around for a long time, but it wasn't until 1992 that IRS started really using the program in good faith. After the Revenue Reform Act of 1998, IRS became even more liberal with the OIC. At one point almost half of all Offers were being accepted. Unfortunately, in 2002, the IRS started getting tough on Offers and now only about 25% of all Offers are accepted. The main reason for the decline was the centralization of Offers at two IRS locations instead of them being worked locally at the district offices.
An Offer can be made for "Doubt as to Liability" or "Doubt as to Collectability." Submitting a proper OIC is more than just filling out an IRS Form 656. A good offer must have 3 recent months of supporting documentation attached with the Form 656 (if the OIC is for doubt as to collectability). Failure to fill out the Form 656 properly, failure to include all liabilities, or failure to provide the documentation required results in an Offer that is dead on arrival. Even if the forms are complete and the data provided; the Offer is now just "processable" and 6-9 months may go by before a decision is reached on the merits of the OIC.
Unscrupulous Offer Promoters often don't qualify people for the Offer, they just sell them a bill of goods. Folks can pay thousands and not have a chance at an OIC to begin with! Don't do business with anybody that doesn't at least take a full financial statement from you. If the matter is Doubt as to Liability, no financial is required, but there needs to be a solid basis for the claim in law and policy.
The main items that often sink an Offer when someone does qualify based on income and expenses are assets such as IRAs, 401Ks and home equity. If you owe the IRS 25K but you have an IRA worth 50K and home equity of 50K, forget about an OIC. There would have to be a horrible circumstance in your life to get past the equity in assets. In very rare cases of health or old age, exceptions can be made. Just because you can't pay your bills on time doesn't make you an Offer candidate. You must not be able to full pay based on income and expenses plus the "quick sale" value of your assets. Only then is a Doubt at to Collectability Offer an option.
If you qualify, you really can settle for "pennies on the dollar," but it might be 30-50% of your debt based on the math. To settle for $500 you would have to be broke with no assets at all and no prospects for near term improvement of your financial situation. See a CPA, Tax Attorney, or Enrolled Agent if you are considering an Offer. They can go over all of your options.
You can learn more about Offers at these websites:
www.irs.gov
www.naea.org
www.nsacct.org
www.etaxes.com
www.exirsman.com
James Robert Coleman, E.A., A.T.A.
Enrolled Agent, Accredited Tax Advisor, former IRS Revenue Officer. Member-National Association of Enrolled Agents & National Society of Accountants.
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/27426_business_personal_taxes.php on line 65
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/27426_business_personal_taxes.php on line 65
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'inc/ads-body.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/accounta/public_html/27426_business_personal_taxes.php on line 65
MORE RESOURCES:
 Globe and Mail | Tax staff to be paid $25M in severance, rehired National Post An agreement signed by the Liberals and the Canada Revenue Agency will see the provincial tax workers become employees of the federal government, ... Ont. tax collectors looking at $45000 severance but won't lose jobs |
NB increases property tax rebate CBC.ca The New Brunswick government is going to offer more money to more low-income people who are hit hard by property tax increases, says the finance minister. ... Province to tackle tax hikes New Brunswick government helping low-income earners with rising property taxes New property tax formula coming: Minister |
 Globe and Mail | 10% soda pop tax, 7% fewer calories Globe and Mail Based on the US study, an 18-per-cent tax on pop would result in a decline of 56 calories per person per day. Published on Friday, Mar. ... |
 Washington Post | Friday News Roundup: Week of March 8-12 New America Foundation (blog) Legislators are less eager to increase taxes, especially in an election year, and fear that increased corporate taxes would discourage businesses from ... In Ill., choice is higher taxes or education cuts Quinn Defends Plan to Fund Schools with Tax Hike Green Party's Whitney calls for income tax hike, legalized pot |
 NewsOXY | Free printable federal income tax form 1040 for filing 2009 income tax returns ... Healthy Financial Habits Almost one month from today, millions of Americans will be scrambling to file their 2009 federal income taxes. If you need free printable federal income tax ... Tax breaks can help when you lose your job Tax Tip: 4 places to find free tax help Record number of tax filers paid no federal income taxes in 2008 |
 CBC.ca | WALT COBB: Taxes a necessary evil Williams Lake Tribune NDP energy critic John Horgan has said that the tax will be eliminated, “but we have to find revenue to offset that from other taxes.” None of us like taxes ... Doubts remain after HST report The BC government sneaks another tax hike in through the back door |
Gov. Lingle signs state law reducing large business tax increase for Hawaii ... CanadianBusiness.com HONOLULU (AP) - Businesses in Hawaii are getting immediate relief from the nation's largest increase in unemployment taxes after Gov. ... Lingle signs bill lowering unemployment tax increase |
 CBC.ca | 'Soda tax' movement gains steam Vancouver Sun New York state is the latest American jurisdiction eyeing a "soda tax" to curb the obesity ... Editorial: Nickels and dimes of new taxes just add to the toll Soda Tax: Is New York Soaking the Poor? Study: Taxing junk food could alleviate obesity |
 TopNews United States | Tax fallout Pueblo Chieftain DEMOCRATS DIDN'T know there would be fallout from their dozen tax increase bills this year? Gov. Bill Ritter and his fellow Democrats who control the ... The Tax War Goes Online Colorado's feud with Amazon puts focus on national online tax efforts Opposing rising taxes |
Vodafone Sends Final Submission To India Tax Body Wall Street Journal "Vodafone is confident that no tax is payable on this transaction. All of the taxation and legal advice we have received remains consistent with this view," ... |
Take Control of Your Taxes
As everyone in the U.S.
Paying Workers - What Can You Write-Off?
As your business grows, you are going to need help. This help comes in the form of employees and independent contractors.
How to Maximize Your Home Business Tax Deductions for 2005
Someone once said, 'the best way to calculate your taxes is?Honestly'. For 2005, add 'Smartly' to that and you'll get to keep more than you make.
IRS Reports Tax Gap of $300 Billion
The Internal Revenue Service is reporting that the difference between what U.S.
Tax Help Secret: Avoiding the Entreprenuers Curse
Your days as an entrepreneur and businessperson are consumed with one primary activity; making money. Whether you think in terms of growing your business, getting the word out there, or some fancy new marketing technique, your days and weeks and months in business are focused on that one group of activities.
10 Tax Tips to Reduce Costs and Increase Income
No one likes paying tax. Everyone understands that tax is a necessary evil and that without it our government would not be able to afford our roads, health services, education, welfare system etc.
How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
So, you were pleasantly surprised to learn that you are getting a refund on your taxes. Congratulations! The question for most taxpayers expecting a return is, "Where is my refund?"Check Your Refund Status OnlineThe easiest way to check on your refund is to ask the IRS through IRS.
The Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: Getting The Edge
Whether helping the kids with a down payment on their first home, paying the premiums on a life insurance policy in an irrevocable trust, or moving appreciated assets to a younger generation, annual gifting will touch the lives of millions of Americans. But before the transfer is made, an investor should spend some time looking at the investment and the tax ramifications of the property to be passed.
Identity Theft - Impacting Your Taxes?
If your identity is stolen, your finances can quickly become a nightmare. A less obvious problem is the effect identity theft can have on your taxes.
Small Businesses Filing Amended Federal Tax Returns to Recover Money
Small Businesses Filing Amended Federal Tax Returns to Recover Money By Darren Oliver April 15th may be gone but, but certainly not forgotten - especially if you, like millions of small businesses, unknowingly overpaid your federal taxes and can recover money by filing an amended return. According to the IRS tax code, you have three years from the filing date for the tax year in question to file an amended return.
Employment Taxes - Depositing With The IRS
If your business has employees, you must pay employment taxes. The payment system can be a bit confusing, so this article discusses how to go about depositing employment taxes with the IRS.
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Certified For Clean-Fuel Deduction
If you are environmentally conscious and purchase a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle that combines a gasoline-powered engine with alternative power methods, you are in line for a nice tax deduction.Ostensibly, the government uses clean power tax deductions as a method to promote the use of vehicles that are less harmful to the environment.
Getting A Second Extension to File 2004 Taxes
Millions of people file tax return extensions every year. The tax filing deadlines can rush up on your quickly.
How To Get An Extension To File Your Business Tax Returns
Yes, the tax season is upon with the first filing date for some businesses being March 15, 2005. If you can't imagine getting your tax returns together by that date, you need not worry.
Taxing Overseas Firms for SOX Compliance
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, also called the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 was signed into law on July 30, 2002 by President Bush. In the aftermath of Enron, Arthur Andersen, Global Crossing, and WorldCom, SOX promises greater corporate accountability and transparency.
Tax Tips for Home-Based Business Owners
As tax time approaches, many home-based business owners begin completing their forms or paying their accountants with trepidation. This nervousness comes from two sources: a fear of being audited and a fear of having to pay a lot.
Amending Procedural Laws for Collection of E-taxation
The electronic transaction ordinance defines the certificated copies in which are to be presented for adjudication. Where any law requires or permits the production of certified copies of any records, such requirement or permission shall extend to print outs or other forms of display of electronic documents where, in addition to fulfillment of the requirements as may be specified in such law relating to certification, it is verified in the manner laid down by the appropriate authority.
Rental Property Tax Deductions
Own residential rental properties? This article discusses how income from those properties impacts your taxes.What Constitutes Revenue?Generally, rental income is defined as any revenue you receive from the occupancy or use of residential property.
Corporations Failing To Claim AMT Exemption Overpay Taxes By $11,000
Does your incorporated business pay alternative minimum tax ["AMT]? If so, there is a 93% chance you have been overpaying your taxes by an average of $11,000 a year according to the Treasury Inspector General.The Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration was created in 1999 to oversee the IRS.
Send Your Kids To Summer Camp and Write It Off
If you paid someone to care for a child so you could work, you may be able claim a tax credit for child and dependent care expenses on your federal income tax return. This credit is available to people who, in order to work or to look for work, have to pay for child care services for dependents under age 13.