We can help aggressively protect your rights with the IRS. If you owe the IRS back unpaid taxes, chances are that you are feeling scared and powerless. But the good news is that even if you are partially in the wrong, you still have rights thanks to The IRS Restructuring and Reform Bill of 1998 and the more recently adopted Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Under these policies, the IRS has to fully communicate with taxpayers and afford them “due process” rights before pulling one of the many levers it has to make a taxpayer’s life miserable. Understanding your rights can make all the difference when dealing with the IRS and back taxes and we can protect your rights with the IRS.
Your right to be informed. The IRS has a duty to explain exactly what you need to do to comply with the tax laws. You also have a right to have all decisions made about your tax account explained to you in terms that you understand. However, you can’t just ignore the IRS’s attempts to inform you. Informing a successful tax defense to your issue, knowing where the IRS stands with your case is very important.
Your right to be treated fairly by the IRS. When you meet with the IRS, you must be treated fairly and courteously. If you are not happy with the way you are being treated, you have a right to speak with a supervisor.
Your right to be represented. You should not only meet with a
tax expert before your
meeting with the IRS, but you should also bring representation with you to the meeting. You have a right to be represented and deal with the IRS through an attorney on your behalf.
Your right to only pay what you owe. The IRS cannot force you to pay taxes that you do not owe, which it has been known to do from time to time based on bad information. Don’t always take the IRS’s word for what you owe, investigate it yourself with the help of a tax professional. This is especially the case when you have been a victim of identity theft
Your right to options. If you can’t afford to pay the taxes you owe there are options available to you such as a hardship suspension,
installment payments, an
offer in compromise or bankruptcy depending on a financial analysis of your situation. Finally, you cannot be thrown in jail for your inability to pay taxes. Many people think this and read it on the internet. The tax issue is very serious, but not of the magnitude to be sent to jail.
Attorney Timothy Hart
Timothy S Hart, the founding partner of the tax law firm of Timothy S. Hart Law Group, P.C. is both a New York Tax Lawyer & Certified Public Accountant. His area of expertise includes innovative solutions to solve your Internal Revenue Service and New York State tax problems, including tax settlements through the Federal and New York State offer in compromise programs, filing unfiled tax returns, voluntary disclosures, tax audits, and criminal investigations. [ Attorney Bio ]