Understand the notice and deadlines
We identify what the IRS is asking for and which dates matter. If you authorize access, we can review the IRS account record alongside the notice.
Owe the IRS or facing collection?
Understand your notice, your deadlines, and the options that fit your situation.
How it works
Review the available paths
Case Analysis reviews the facts, balances, and collection options, then documents practical next steps. A $97 Notice Review is credited toward the $497 Case Analysis.
Choose whether to proceed
If representation is appropriate, we explain the scope and fixed work quote before you decide. Filing compliance and agreed payments remain important after a resolution.
Start with what sounds like you
Select the situation closest to yours to see the related resolution paths.
Serving individuals and businesses in Texas and nationwide. Learn about our Irving, TX practice.
Which sounds like you?
All 16 resolution services
The available option depends on your records, filing status, finances, deadlines, and the rules that apply. Read the service detail for its specific requirements.
Settlement & Debt Reduction
Offer in CompromiseAn Offer in Compromise (OIC) asks the IRS to accept less than the full balance. The $205 application fee and 20% of a lump-sum offer are generally due with the application, unless the low-income waiver applies. The three tracks address inability to pay, an incorrect tax amount, or exceptional hardship or unfairness.Installment AgreementsAn installment agreement is an IRS monthly payment plan. Options include guaranteed plans for qualifying balances of $10,000 or less, streamlined plans with simpler application rules for individuals owing $50,000 or less or in-business taxpayers owing $25,000 or less, and partial-payment or other plans based on the facts.Currently Not CollectibleCurrently Not Collectible (CNC) status may pause active collection when paying would prevent basic living expenses. Refunds can still be applied to the debt, a lien may be filed, and interest and penalties continue while the collection period runs.Penalty AbatementPenalty abatement means removing qualifying penalties: First-Time Abatement considers prior compliance, while reasonable-cause relief considers why you could not comply. Failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties can each reach 25% of unpaid tax; interest may accrue on tax and penalties.
When the IRS is collecting from pay or property
Bank Levy ReleaseA bank levy is an IRS order taking funds from a bank account; the bank generally holds those funds for 21 days before sending them to the IRS. During that period, a release request may be available under the facts and applicable rules.Wage Garnishment ReleaseA wage levy generally takes earnings above the exempt amount calculated under IRS Publication 1494. The exemption depends on filing status and dependents; a release request may be considered under the applicable rules.Federal Tax Lien / Levy ReleaseA federal tax lien is a claim against property; its public notice may affect transactions even though credit bureaus stopped reporting tax liens in 2018. Depending on the facts, options include withdrawal (removing the public notice), subordination (letting another creditor take priority), or discharge (removing specific property from the lien).Home & Property Seizure DefenseA seizure means the IRS takes property and is subject to notice and procedural requirements. Collection Due Process (CDP) is a formal review of certain collection actions; some requests have a 30-day deadline, so check the notice for its specific date.
Audit, Appeals & Representation
Audit Defense & RepresentationAn audit or examination is an IRS check of a tax return, conducted by mail, in an IRS office, or at your location. We review records and communicate with the IRS within the agreed scope.IRS Appeals & CDP HearingsAppeals may provide independent review of certain IRS decisions. Some Collection Due Process requests have 30-day deadlines; whether collection pauses depends on the request and timing.U.S. Tax Court RepresentationA Notice of Deficiency states a proposed additional tax and generally allows 90 days to ask U.S. Tax Court to review it before payment, or 150 days when addressed to a person outside the United States. We help prepare the case and coordinate with counsel admitted to that court, who handles court representation.Innocent Spouse ReliefThree kinds of spouse relief may apply to joint-return tax debts: innocent spouse relief for certain errors by a spouse, separation of liability allocating certain debts, and equitable relief when holding you responsible would be unfair. Eligibility depends on the return, circumstances, and IRS review.
Administrative & Specialized Relief
Employment Tax (Form 941 / withheld taxes)Form 941 reports payroll taxes; trust-fund taxes are amounts withheld from workers and held for the government. The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty can make responsible individuals personally liable for the unpaid trust-fund portion, and that liability generally survives bankruptcy.OIC: Doubt as to CollectabilityDoubt as to Collectability means your assets and future income may not cover the debt within the IRS collection period, generally 10 years from assessment with possible extensions or pauses. The IRS calls its estimate of what it could collect your reasonable collection potential.OIC: Doubt as to LiabilityThe liability track disputes whether the assessed tax is correct, based on records and applicable tax rules.OIC: Effective Tax AdministrationEffective Tax Administration is a rarely accepted settlement track when the IRS could collect the full balance but doing so would cause qualifying economic hardship for an individual or be unfair because of exceptional circumstances.
How fees and representation work
Start with the phase that fits. Each phase is quoted before work begins, and you choose whether to continue. Fixed work quotes depend on the work type and amount owed.
Notice Review
A focused review identifies the notice, relevant deadlines, and possible next steps.
Start with a $97 Notice Review
Case Analysis
A review of IRS records and case facts, with options and next steps explained in writing.
Free — Free Notice Decoder / free path. The free decoder explains your notice from its type and date. No documents are uploaded at the free step. $97 — Notice Review. Send us your IRS notice along with your own transcripts. We tell you what the notice is, what it means, and what the issues appear to be at a high level. This is information, not tax advice. $497 — Case Analysis. We pull your transcripts, analyze your whole situation, and give you a written do-it-yourself plan. $1,000 — Representation. Power of attorney (Form 2848) and we represent you before the IRS. Flat $1,000. The $97 Notice Review is credited toward the $497 Case Analysis. Fixed fees, confirmed in writing before work begins. Not a guarantee of any IRS outcome. We never charge a percentage of tax saved.
Representation
Representation is a flat $1,000. Other resolution work receives a fixed quote based on scope and amount owed.
$1,000
Forms 8821 and 2848 have different roles
Form 8821 is a Tax Information Authorization: it allows access to specified tax information but does not authorize representation. Form 2848 is a Power of Attorney: it can authorize an eligible representative to communicate and act before the IRS within its scope.
Case Analysis is $497 regardless of balance owed, tax years, complexity or urgency. The $97 Notice Review is credited toward the $497 Case Analysis. Phase 2 work is priced in the published ranges on our IRS fee page, or quoted in writing after the Case Analysis. Fixed fees, confirmed in writing before work begins. Not a guarantee of any IRS outcome. We never charge a percentage of tax saved.
Keeping required returns current and making payments under any agreement are important; missed terms or changed circumstances can lead to review, default, or further collection. Results depend on individual facts, IRS determinations, and applicable law. No particular resolution, settlement amount, or offer acceptance is promised.
Published prices are honored for at least 30 days from their last publication date.
IRS resources
Start with the page that matches your situation
Review notice deadlines, resolution services, pricing, and financial-disclosure guidance before choosing your next step.
Urgent notice help
Resolution services
Planning and tools
Tools and useful references
Resolution work
Estimate the scope of your resolution work
Resolution work is a fixed fee based on the work type and amount owed. We confirm the scope and fee in writing before work begins.
The $97 Notice Review is credited toward the $497 Case Analysis. Fixed fees, confirmed in writing before work begins. Not a guarantee of any IRS outcome. We never charge a percentage of tax saved.