| Helpful Hints When Choosing a Tax Professional: | | | | costs and expense on your part. |
| | | | 4. Make sure that you speak only with a professional |
| 1. Before Hiring one, find out the credentials of the | | | | that specializes in tax representation and collection |
| individual(s) you are working with. Only Attorneys, | | | | issues. This is a highly specialized area of taxation. A |
| CPAs and Enrolled Agents can represent taxpayers | | | | simple salesperson is not going to be able to provide |
| before the IRS in all matters, including matters | | | | you with the solution you need. They will either end up |
| regarding audits, collections and appeals. Other tax | | | | selling you a service that does not work for your case |
| return preparers may only represent taxpayers for | | | | at all, or will promise you the moon but will not be able |
| audits of returns they have actually prepared. | | | | to deliver the desired results. |
| 2. This can be a dirty and cut throat industry. Be on the | | | | 5. Beware the "Pennies on The Dollar" Offer in |
| lookout, and avoid the "Tax Resolution Scam". You | | | | Compromise Ads. There are ninety-nine cents before |
| need to be very careful with whom you select to | | | | you hit one dollar! Marketing and sales departments |
| represent you. There are many tax resolution | | | | would have you believe that many more taxpayer's |
| companies out there that are nothing short of | | | | will qualify for an Offer in Compromise than those that |
| complete scams. This is especially true, for some of | | | | actually do. You will quickly realize from simply making |
| the larger firms you see with mass media advertising. | | | | a few phone calls, that there are many companies |
| Many of these firms will take your money and never | | | | who will only have you talk to a salesperson upfront |
| lift a finger when it comes to actually working your | | | | (ie....the costly free consultation). This salesperson, will |
| case. Fall prey to this scam and you will end up paying | | | | try to sell anybody a so called "pennies on the dollar" |
| a lot of money to a company, who does nothing for | | | | Offer in Compromise or a penalty abatement for |
| you, and actually leaves you worse off than you were | | | | which you may not even qualify. Don't fall for it! Speak |
| when you came to them. | | | | with someone who is qualified and experienced before |
| 3. Beware the Eager and Unknowledgeable | | | | deciding to hire a specific representation company. |
| Salesperson. No one should be selling you on any kind | | | | 6. Remember, contracts are legally binding documents. |
| of resolution plan without first analyzing your | | | | Do not sign any agreement or spend any of your hard |
| compliance status, the amount and validity of the debt | | | | earned money until you have spoken with a real |
| and your ability to pay the tax debt. If the person you | | | | professional, who is experienced in tax representation |
| are speaking with seems more interested in obtaining | | | | and can answer TOUGH questions. Remember, a |
| your credit card or bank account information, rather | | | | contract is binding and you may be held liable for |
| than answering your questions and outlining a real | | | | payment for services not rendered or for services |
| solution for your case, your probably better off | | | | that do not provide a solution to your problem. |
| refraining from hiring their company. An actual honest | | | | 7. Look for a warm and sincere guiding hand, who is |
| and knowledgeable agent must examine, analyze, and | | | | not afraid to protect your rights and interest. You will |
| evaluate the facts of your case, then come up with a | | | | be working on personal and stressful financial matters. |
| viable solution that will really solve your problem. The | | | | It is very important that you feel comfortable with |
| agent must also frankly advise you if your case is | | | | whomever it is you decide to hire. |
| without merit and prevent any other unnecessary | | | | |