How to Choose a Competent Tax Professional. Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Tax Resolution Scam

Helpful Hints When Choosing a Tax Professional:unnecessary costs and expense on your part.  
1.  Before Hiring one, find out the credentials of the4. Make sure that you speak only with a professional
individual(s) you are working with.  Only Attorneys,that specializes in tax representation and collection
CPAs and Enrolled Agents can represent taxpayersissues.  This is a highly specialized area of taxation. 
before the IRS in all matters, includingA simple salesperson is not going to be able to provide
matters regarding audits, collections and appeals.you with the solution you need.  They will either end
Other tax return preparers may only representup selling you a service that does not work for your
taxpayers for audits of returns they have actuallycase at all, or will promise you the moon but will not
prepared. be able to deliver the desired results.   
2. This can be a dirty and cut throat industry.  Be on5. Beware the "Pennies on The Dollar" Offer in
the lookout, and avoid the "Tax Resolution Scam". Compromise Ads.  There are ninety-nine cents
You need to be very careful with whom you selectbefore you hit one dollar! Marketing and sales
to represent you. There are many tax resolutiondepartments would have you believe that many more
companies out there that are nothing short oftaxpayer's will qualify for an Offer in Compromise than
complete scams.  This is especially true, for some ofthose that actually do.  You will quickly realize from
the larger firms you see with mass media advertising.simply making a few phone calls, that there are many
Many of these firms will take your money and nevercompanies who will only have you talk to a
lift a finger when it comes to actually working yoursalesperson upfront (ie....the costly free
case.  Fall prey to this scam and you will end upconsultation). This salesperson, will try to sell
paying a lot of money to a company, who doesanybody a so called "pennies on the dollar" Offer in
nothing for you, and actually leaves you worseCompromise or a penalty abatement for which you
off  than you were when you came to them.  may not even qualify. Don't fall for it! Speak with
3. Beware the Eager and Unknowledgeablesomeone who is qualified and experienced before
Salesperson.  No one should be selling you on anydeciding to hire a specific representation company. 
kind of resolution plan without first analyzing your6. Remember, contracts are legally binding documents.
compliance status, the amount and validity of the debtDo not sign any agreement or spend any of your hard
and your ability to pay the tax debt.  If the person youearned money until you have spoken with a real
are speaking with seems more interested in obtainingprofessional, who is experienced in tax representation
your credit card or bank account information,and can answer TOUGH questions.  Remember, a
rather than answering your questions and outlining acontract is binding and you may be held liable for
real solution for your case, your probably better offpayment for services not rendered or for services
refraining from hiring their company.  An actual honestthat do not provide a solution to your problem. 
and knowledgeable agent must examine, analyze,7. Look for a warm and sincere guiding hand, who is
and evaluate the facts of your case, then come upnot afraid to protect your rights and interest.  You will
with a viable solution that will really solve yourbe working on personal and stressful financial matters.
problem. The agent must also frankly advise you ifIt is very important that you feel comfortable with
your case is without merit and prevent any otherwhomever it is you decide to hire.