HOW TO CHOOSE
How to Choose a Tax Resolution Practitioner…
And why it matters
You have options in your selection of a professional to aid in solving tax problems and representing you before the tax agencies. You can search for help online, respond to mail solicitations, or ask a friend for a referral. You may choose a large firm with a staff of tax experts or hire a local tax attorney at a higher cost. You can choose a tax practitioner who resolves tax cases on the side, after tax season, or a tax expert who specializes in resolution and does not prepare tax returns. You could ask your accountant to help you navigate the IRS examination and collection maze provided he or she is licensed to represent you before the agencies and has the expertise. How do you know who can solve your problem and who is best qualified to represent you in this difficult and often scary process?
Here
are some tips
to help you select
a tax resolution expert:
Avoid a practitioner who promises a certain outcome. “We’ll settle your tax debt for pennies on
the dollar,” was a catchy phrase from recent TV commercials. The IRS calls
these companies “scams” and Offer in Compromise “mills.” 1 The agency
closed this firm for false advertising and failing to help taxpayers after
taking large retainers. There are no
guaranteed outcomes in tax resolution as each case is different and requires a
unique approach and solution.
Avoid a practitioner for whom tax resolution is an add-on
service. Each tax case requires focus
and time to research, to develop strategy, to file or correct returns, to
communicate with the agencies and to routinely follow-up until resolution is
achieved. Part-time tax resolution often
leads to errors, missed opportunities for better outcomes and frustration for
all parties. Many accounting and tax
practitioners simply do not have the time to learn or engage in this critical
work as an add-on service.
Avoid a practitioner who cannot or will not file, correct
or review tax returns as part of the case. Although resolution strategy is the focus, the
practitioner’s ability to understand, correct and file tax returns is
essential. Many tax cases revolve around
unfiled annual returns, missing quarterly returns like Forms 940 and 941 or incorrect
substitute returns filed by the IRS. IRS
assessments may be incorrect. For example, amending S Corp returns where shareholder
basis was incorrectly reported can have substantial impact in IRS audits. Taxpayers may need to amend returns to
correct errors and omissions as part of lowering tax liability. Practitioners
should understand tax law changes and be able to use the information to help
debt-strapped taxpayers. For instance, the
recent COVID Employee Retention Credit helped many taxpayers pay off back
payroll tax debt because tax resolution practitioners made sure their clients
filed or amended the proper returns. The
bottom line is that the tax practitioner should have both training and
experience in filing all types of returns, be able to amend returns, keep up
with tax code changes, and understand how tax filing and assessment impact the
case and future compliance.
Avoid a practitioner with ample staff but no time. This sounds counterintuitive. Wouldn’t a large staff mean increased
attention, better service, and quicker resolution? Not necessarily. Larger firms struggle to manage on-going, complex
cases and the new cases that arrive daily.
New cases may need immediate attention due to pressing IRS deadlines,
and this can cause older cases to sit. The larger the staff the greater the need for
stellar communication and feedback. The
more cases the greater the need for process control. Although some firms may be efficiently structured
to take on lots of new clients and manage staff, many are not able to give
cases the time needed for the best possible outcome. Clients can be lost in the
process, and the bureaucratic nature of a larger firm can cause inefficiencies
in communication and process that do not exist in leaner organizations. Finding the “sweet spot” is key. Choosing a firm with enough high-quality
support to meet deadlines, file returns, communicate clearly, and follow
strategy without becoming bogged-down in layers of management and process is
the smart move.
Avoid a tax practitioner without specialized tax
resolution training and credentials.
This seems straightforward, but hiring a practitioner without proper knowledge
and experience is a common mistake. Many
desperate taxpayers, caught in the web of IRS and state assessments, audits and
collection enforcement, select the first practitioner they find or choose help
based on cost. A practitioner with years
of experience resolving complex cases and the credentials to garner respect
from the tax agencies is the best selection.
A favorable outcome and a return to solid footing with the taxing
authorities will make up for the increased cost of expert representation.
Avoid the tax debt spiral. What begins as a minor financial problem
quickly spins out-of-control or a devastating hardship sends a taxpayer into a
debt spiral that he or she cannot right.
Unfiled tax returns, failure to make estimated tax payments, and an IRS
audit with costly adjustments are examples of mistakes that can increase tax
debt. Divorce, serious illness,
unemployment, death in the family, or COVID-19 are examples of hardships that
can trigger big tax problems. Facing up
to the challenge and securing knowledgeable help as soon as possible is
critical to arriving at a solution. The
longer you wait, the more difficult the tax resolution process. Choosing the right resolution practitioner is
a critical step in stopping the tax debt spiral.
While many options exist in selecting a tax resolution practitioner, the most qualified and experienced person may not be the most obvious pick. He or she may not be part of a large resolution firm or the accountant who files your annual tax return or the attorney on the corner. The best practitioner is well trained and vetted. She tells you the truth about your case, represents you with integrity, develops and adheres to a case-specific strategy, and never makes unrealistic promises. A favorable outcome to your tax crisis--getting your life back on track and stopping the tax debt spiral—will depend in large part on you choosing this professional.
1. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-irs-urges-anyone-having-trouble-paying-their-taxes-to-avoid-anyone-claiming-they-can-settle-tax-debt-for-pennies-on-the-dollar-known-as-oic-mills
Robinett & Associates grew out of a traditional accounting and tax practice which Denise Robinett sold in 2021 after 16+ years. She wanted to put her experience, training, knowledge, and relationships to good use in helping taxpayers resolve tax problems and get their lives and livelihoods back on track. Watching taxpayers struggle with the bureaucratic and inefficient tax agencies and knowing that 87,000 new IRS agents were on the way, she wanted to be a front-line defense and advocate for taxpayers. Her vision: bring all the success from the past into a dynamic new platform to defend taxpayers in audit, collections, appeals and Trust Fund Recovery problems.
Avoid Costly Penalties By Getting Help.
Robinett & Associates is a full-service tax debt resolution company and we get results. We represent individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and sole proprietors before the IRS and state in tax collection and audit matters. We provide the following assistance:
IRS and State Audit Representation
IRS and State Collections Representation
IRS and State Non-Filing Issues
IRS and State Payment Plans
IRS Offers in Compromise
Trust Fund Recovery Issues
Sales Tax Audits
Licensed by the US Treasury (IRS) as an Enrolled Agent and a NTPI Fellow®, Denise Robinett has in-depth knowledge about how the IRS reviews returns, the collections statutes and the process for appeals. She is specifically trained to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Educated at the graduate-level in representation, Denise has studied and has experience in a broad range of topics including...
● Communicating with the IRS
● Non-Filers
● Examination
● Appeals (exam appeals, collection appeals)
● Tax Research and Resources
● Collections and Back Taxes
● Offers in Compromise
● Criminal Investigation Referrals
● Form 1040 Audits
● Corporate Audits
● Innocent Spouse
● Injured Spouse
● Wage garnishments
● Freedom of Information Act
● Case Resolutions
● Trust Fund Recovery
● Liens and Levies
● Bankruptcy
● Employee Retention Credit
● Penalty Abatement and COVID Relief
● Installment Agreements
● Sect 1031 Exchanges
● Changes in Depreciation and Accounting Methods
● 529 College Plan Distribution Audits
● Excise Tax Audits and Collections
● Property Seizures
● IRS Fresh Start
● And lots more!
OUR CLIENTS SAY...
I’m EXTREMELY happy with REALTAXSOLUTION.NET’s service. They helped me get to compliance again with the IRS. Working with Denise Robinett gave some peace of mind and if I had to do it again, I would choose this company.
I cannot praise DENISE ROBINETT enough for resolving my IRS audit. There was another company I went to first that had a slick radio advertisement that took my money and did ABSOLUTELY nothing. I googled to find a better solution – and lucked out when I found Denise and REAL TAX SOLUTIONS. She methodically worked with me and got everything taken care of. She also told me things to change so I don’t get another audit. Thumbs up!
Denise Robinett is OUTSTANDING! Denise was originally recommended to me by my CPA, and she represented and assisted me with an IRS audit. She helped make the BEST of -let's face it- a horribly annoying situation. Pleasant and professional to work with, as well. If I ever get audited again? Denise is my first pick to help! THANK YOU Denise!