The Right Strategy Matters

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IRS Tax Assistance from a Gahanna, Ohio Lawyer

Tax issues can be complicated, stressful, and overwhelming. By trusting your situation to attorney Terri Len Johnson, she can help you learn how it may be possible to find a solution to your situation so you can get a good night’s sleep again. Below are some of the more common tax issues we handle, though they are not a complete list.

If you do not see your issue listed, contact the Law Office of Terri Len Johnson today to learn more about how she may be able to address a wide variety of tax matters you may be facing.

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OFFER IN COMPROMISE

To be successful at securing an offer in compromise, one must do more than fill out forms. I strive to help my clients understand the basics of an offer in compromise and what is required of them. This is basically a settlement that you agree upon with the IRS for payment of back taxes. By examining your case and understanding what the IRS is looking for, I am able to realistically present your options for paying back taxes.  There is a lot of misunderstood information about an Offer in Compromise on the internet and in advertisements. It works very well as a fresh start for some clients, but it will never work for others. Call 614-476-7666 and get some straight answers before you go down this complicated road.

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REVENUE OFFICER INTERVIEW

If you are facing a Revenue Officer interview, it is important that you know that you are able to obtain and have legal representation in these proceedings. Individuals are also able to stop an interview at any time to obtain representation by simply telling the Revenue Officer you want to stop and hire an attorney.  These are highly trained IRS employees and they are asking you questions for a reason.  Do you know why they are asking you each one?  Do you know what they can or will do with the information you give them?  This is an instance where clients greatly appreciate having a lawyer by their side.

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TRUST FUND RECOVER PENALTY ASSESSMENTS

This type of case involves a penalty that is imposed on business owners who fail to pay the employee’s part of the payroll taxes that was withheld from their paychecks. Often, a business owner attempts to avoid laying off employees and meet the payroll by failing to pay the taxes on the payroll. Unfortunately, though trying to do the best they can to keep their doors open, they have inadvertently done the worst thing. I take the time to educate employers on this aspect of the payroll taxes, the importance of its payment, and help them find ways of dealing with the taxes before they become their personal liability. If you own or work at a business with tax problems and you get a call or visit from a Revenue Officer, you might be looking at the start of the process to make some of those taxes your PERSONAL liability.  You need guidance as soon as possible.

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LEVIES

Aside from foreclosure on your home, this is the most feared and powerful tool the IRS has for collecting taxes from you. A levy can also be thought of as a seizure or garnishment. If you receive a notice that says “We intend to levy on certain assets”, you need to act immediately because the next step will most likely be that your bank accounts will be emptied out and/or your paycheck or government benefits (such as Social Security Disability or Retirement benefits) will be partially paid to the IRS. You need to seek help immediately before these life line assets are taken from you.

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LIEN WITHDRAWALS

In today’s difficult economic times, we tend to rely on our credit heavily.  You can have your credit ratings crushed by the filing of an IRS tax lien.  It is intended as a notice to your creditors that you cannot sell or mortgage any real estate with having the unpaid taxes dealt with in some manner.  It also results in damage to your credit ratings, making it difficult or impossible to get needed credit.  There are some circumstances where we can get those liens withdrawn, which will give your credit rating a much needed boost.

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PENALTY ABATEMENTS

When taxes go unpaid or returns are filed late, the IRS attempts to ‘encourage’ future compliance by imposing penalties, in addition to charging you interest.  If you file and pay a tax late enough, you might be looking at them adding 45% in penalties over and above the unpaid taxes.  The opportunities for abating (removing) the penalties are few, but when they work, they make a huge difference is what your future is going to look like.  If you have penalties assessed, see if penalty abatement services is something that might help you.

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INNOCENT SPOUSE

Innocent spouse relief is for spouses who are saddled with a tax debt that really should just belong to their ex-spouse, but because they signed a joint return, the IRS is coming after them now.  This is another area where professional representation can have a lot of benefit for you since the factors the IRS waives are many and what you feel is most important for why they are not your taxes, might not be that important to the IRS.  Set up an appointment today so we can talk about your specific circumstances and see if you are entitled to innocent spouse relief.

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INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS

Installment Agreements are basically payment plans. If you owe a small amount in taxes you can probably set up a payment that you can afford, and that the IRS will approve, without my help.  This might also be true if you owe up to $50,000, but the exceptions start creeping in the higher you get. Take 5 minutes to call and talk about your numbers and what you can afford and learn if you can do this yourself without professional help.

However, if you owe a lot in taxes ($25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $1,000,000), an attorney can help by negotiating a monthly payment you can actually pay based on your reasonable financial situation, rather than an arbitrary amount based on the amount you owe.  Even if that amount is zero. Let us lead the negotiations to get you payment that you can actually afford each month.

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Let’s Explore Your Situation Today…

Contact tax problem solver attorney Terri Len Johnson, to discuss one of the above types of cases or another tax matter. We offer a free initial consultation so you can learn more about our services without cost or obligation.