Owing taxes to the IRS isn’t the end of the world, even if the sums involved are large. The IRS offers tax payers in Chicago several programs that enable them to get their tax account straight without having to pay the tax money they own all at once. Here are 5 effective ways for a tax payer to settle IRS tax debts in Chicago.

Ways to Settle IRS Tax Debts

Sign an installment agreement or partial installment agreement

You can agree with the IRS to pay your tax debt in installments, usually every month — this is an installment agreement. For many tax payers who owe money to the IRS, an installment agreement is the most straightforward and hassle-free solution to resolving their tax debt. A newer, more flexible alternative is the partial payment installment agreement, a long-term payment program at a reduced dollar, which can be a way out for tax payers who cannot cope with the monthly requirements of a standard installment agreement. Using professional tax services in Chicago makes it easier for you to reach a favorable (partial) installment agreement with the IRS.

Agree upon an offer in compromise

In some cases, the IRS understands that recouping all tax debts from a company or individual is unfeasible due to their difficult financial situation and may settle instead for an offer in compromise. This is a program which enables tax payers in bad situations to settle their tax debts for less than the true amount they own. An offer in compromise can involve either a short term payment plan, or a lump sum payment. Using a professional and experienced tax consultant in Chicago increases your chances of agreeing upon an offer in compromise with the IRS.

Claim innocent spouse relief

If your spouse has had tax problems in the past, it doesn’t mean that you have to inherit them. You can use a tax consultant in Chicago to claim innocent spouse relief and liberate yourself from tax problems that are not your own doing. The expertise and guidance of a tax consultant in Chicago proves invaluable when seeking innocent spouse relief, as the IRS has an extensive list of guidelines and requirements which you must meet in order to be eligible for this program.

Gain ‘not currently collectible’ status

When a taxpayer cannot afford to pay his tax debts, he or she can request the ‘not currently collectible’ status from the IRS, which means that the IRS will not attempt to collect tax debts for about a year. Winning extra time gives the taxpayer the opportunity to stop an existing IRS levy or seizure and resolve financial problems. If the situation requires it, you too may claim this status, provided that you can offer enough evidence that you are unable to pay your taxes.

Settling IRS tax debts can be a difficult and frustrating experience, which is why you may want to consider using our tax services in Chicago. At Defend Tax Payer we have 45 years of combined experience with tax problems and can use our insight to find a fast and effective solution to your problem. Contact us and we will help you.

A professional and experienced tax consultant in Chicago can make your life easier and bring you peace of mind. It is crucial, however, that you avoid shams or low-quality providers and choose a qualified, IRS-approved, transparent team of tax experts.

 

Whether you do it for personal or commercial reasons, hiring a tax consultant in Chicago can be a great investment for you, one that can bring you peace of mind, since you know that your taxes are handled by a team of experts specialized in tax preparation and tax defense services. That said, not all tax services Chicago based are equal, which is why you want to make sure you hire the right tax consultant for you. Here are seven tips that will help you make a choice you won’t regret later.

 
tax tips

1. Don’t work with a tax consultant in Chicago if it doesn’t have a fixed address and a phone number where it can be easily contacted whenever you have a tax-related question or run into a problem with the IRS. So called ‘tax experts’ without an address may be nothing but scams, or inexperienced professionals trying to pass for specialized tax services providers.

 

2. Make sure your tax consultant has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Tax services providers who charge for their services must be registered to the IRS, which then assigns them a PTIN that they must use according to federal law on the tax return forms. The IRS requires any tax services provider to pass through a verification process before receiving their unique PTIN.

 

3. Never work with a provider of tax services Chicago based which does not offer you a complete copy of all the tax documents it prepares for you and sends to the IRS, including tax returns. Also, be wary of any provider which asks you to sign blank returns to “speed up the process”.

 

4. Choose a tax consultant in Chicago who has a good online and offline reputation, a good quality website, a prompt customer service, and that overall looks professional and reliable. Above all, look for a tax services provider who is transparent. You must remember that although the consultant will prepare and sign your tax documents for you, at the end of the day you are the one responsible for the data in them.

 

5. Choose a provider of complete tax services in Chicago, especially if you have multiple sources of income, run a business or more, donate to charity, and have had tax problems in the past. While a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is a good choice for a typical tax payer, a complete tax services provider like the Chicago-based Defend Tax Payer has more experience in dealing with tax problems and offers a wide range of services that go beyond tax preparation, including resolving settle back taxes, tax liens, levies, and wage garnishments. To find out more about Defend Tax Payer.