Keep in mind, they are trained and motivated to find collection sources.
Most procedural opportunities to stop or delay collections present themselves soon after the tax debt is assessed. As a result, engaging professional help for IRS debt settlement sooner than later is absolutely crucial. When a knowledgeable practitioner intervenes early on, the chance for success in delay or absolute cessation of collection activity is fairly high.
Appealing the assessment is a taxpayer’s first opportunity to stop collection. The right to appeal the assessment arises upon receipt of the “Final Notice of Intent to Levy” (sometimes referred to as a Form 1058). Appealing the assessment is a matter best left to a practitioner. Not only is the appeal time sensitive, but it is also procedurally complex and requires extended discussions with senior collection personnel at the IRS.
Even the most sophisticated taxpayer should not engage in lengthy discussions with IRS personnel without representation.
IRS personnel are trained and motivated to find collection sources and to levy those sources. Navigating this collections process successfully requires a trained professional.
If a taxpayer misses the assessment appeal deadline the range of options for collection delay or cessation narrow considerably. The options also become less effective or more costly. Short of entering whole-heartedly into the settlement process (discussed below) the remaining options include filing what is known as a CAP appeal (Collections Appeal Program), filing for injunctive relief in federal court, or requesting a full pay hold. Each of these options will either delay collection for only a short period of time or are very costly.
Entering whole-heartedly into the settlement process offers delay or cessation periods. For example, upon the filing of a request for an offer in compromise collection stops once the request is received and recorded. Also, once an installment agreement to pay the assessment over time is accepted other collection action stops for as long as the scheduled payments are made. Finally, the filing of a bankruptcy petition stops collection while the automatic stay is in place. Filing bankruptcy is a major decision and it should only be done with the help of an expert attorney. Bankruptcy may not discharge your tax debts, but it will stop IRS collections while the automatic stay is in effect.
Engaging a trained professional early on in the collection process is the most advantageous thing you can do as a taxpayer. An IRS tax lawyer is not always necessary, this is mostly common in higher profile cases. The amount and effectiveness of collection delay or cessation options are greater at the beginning of the process than they are further down the line.
