IRS Ignore Your Offer in Compromise? What’s Next?

The IRS offer in compromise program provides taxpayers with a remedy for settling back taxes.  It can provide taxpayers with a much-needed fresh start.  Congress has changed the rules for offers.  One change is that offers are deemed accepted if the IRS does not reject them within two years.  This raises the question as to…Continue…

IRS Can Avoid Bankruptcy Collection Hold

One of the benefits of filing bankruptcy is that creditors are precluded from taking collection actions.  When a taxpayer who owes unpaid taxes to the IRS files bankruptcy, this collection hold applies to the IRS.  But what if the IRS could simply file a motion and avoid the collection hold?  This is exactly what happened…Continue…

Settling Unpaid Taxes With Sporadic or Seasonal Income

Sporadic or seasonal income can make it difficult to settle back taxes with the IRS.  For example, if you have a large one time payment that is not likely to continue, can the IRS consider this in evaluating how much you can pay the IRS?  The court addresses this in Margolis-Sellers v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.…Continue…

Can a Tax Crime Sentence Impact the Sentence for a Related Crime?

If someone commits a financial crime and, at the same time, commits a tax crime, can the tax crime sentence be used to enhance the sentence for the financial crime?  The court addresses this in United States v. Smith, No. 18-3222 (8th Cir. 2019).  The answer may surprise you. Facts & Procedural History The defendant…Continue…

The Start of an IRS Audit: To Disclose or Not?

If a taxpayer submits an amended return at the start of an IRS audit, can they avoid penalties for doing so?  The rules allow large case taxpayers to make post-audit disclosures and avoid penalties. But what about smaller taxpayers?  Should they make disclosures to IRS auditors at the start of the audit process?  The Beigalski…Continue…

Whistleblower’s Claim Limited by IRS’s Discretion Not to Collect Tax

If you turn in a tax cheat by filing a whistleblower claim with the IRS, what happens if the IRS does not realize the importance of the information received? Put another way, what if the IRS leaves money on the table by failing to assess the full amount for the taxpayer? Is the whistleblower entitled…Continue…

Getting the IRS to Pay Your Attorney’s Fees

The IRS is required to pay a taxpayers attorney’s fees for defending unsupportable positions. This can even include attorney’s fees when the matter is settled administratively before court. But the IRS is not required to pay attorney’s fees if the IRS’s position is substantially justified. The Bontranger v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2019-45, helps clarify how…Continue…

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