TimW wrote:
- quote -


C$,
H

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Sep 28, 6:36 am, Harlan Lunsford <hlunsf...[at]bellsouth.net> wrote:
- quote -

I couldn't find the nat'l directory part of that site.

========================================= MODERATOR'S COMMENT:
Click on the "Find an Enrolled Agent" link at the top-left side of
the page

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

TimW wrote:
- quote -

or even another CPA who specializes in tax work, since by now you've
learned that not all CPA's are automatically tax qualified. A good tax
person should be there for you year round and be proactive instead of
reactive. As for EA over CPA, I can tell you that our fees are
generally less than those charged by CPA's, but don't let that be your
only criterion. For an EA near you, email me or go to www.naea.org for
a national directory.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Sep 27, 9:06 am, Harlan Lunsford <hlunsf...[at]bellsouth.net> wrote:
- quote -

1) Yes, he's a real CPA

2) He may be frustrated with me, but I don't think that's why he
hasn't offered to help.
In all the years I've been doing biz with him, he's never offered ANY
advice, etc. about taxes + how to avoid paying too much, strategies,
etc., etc. -- All he's ever done is prepare my returns - not a peep of
advice, ever. Maybe he's just lazy(?) Who knows.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

Paultry wrote:
- quote -

"cpa" is generic for all accountants. I regularly (still) get called
by that appelation, even though I might have explained the difference
many times before.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA in LA

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Sep 27, 1:21*am, TimW <wenkma...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
- quote -

will take your
money, help you file one form (an Offer in Compromise), and say
"sorry"
when it's denied a year later.
Or, if you have no assets, little free cash flow, and the IRS accepts
the offer, they'll want
you to appear in their tv ads.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

- quote -

Perhaps your CPA is justifiably exasperated that you failed to heed his
advice about making estimated tax payments or that you did not seek his
counsel when it should have been apparent that you could expect a large tax
liability.


Condor

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

TimW wrote:
- quote -

Not all CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys do collection
representation. Start by asking yours for the names of some
in your area who do. The ones who advertise on TV/radio
will often take your money and leave you with another
"c-ya" to add to your collection.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Sep 26, 4:50 pm, "Condor" <Con...[at]loosecannon.net> wrote:
- quote -

I do have a cpa -- all he did was prepare my returns + said to prepare
for the worst, then c-ya -- and he's been my accountant for 20 years.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

- quote -



Condor

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

"Condor" <Condor[at]loosecannon.net> wrote in message
newseOdnbD-Irt23kDVnZ2dnUVZ_hOdnZ2d[at]comcast.com...
- quote -

However, if the walk-in office also has a Revenue Officer group based at the
same location, sometimes, the walk-in staff can refer you directly to an RO.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

What happens when I hire one of those places advertised on TV/radio?

Where do they get their money from?

When you say 'liquid assets' you mean cash, yes? Would they go after
real estate?

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

TimW wrote:

- quote -

"Caring less" could work both ways -- if someone on the other side
doesn't care very much, why would they be inclined to spend any extra
time (beyond their minimum job requirements) working out an arrangement
in your favor?


- quote -

For that level of delinquency, and given the naivete of your approach
posted here so far, you should hire a professional to represent you.

-Mark Bole

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

- quote -

If there are no other compliance obstacles such as unfiled returns and the
collection information statement (CIS) does not reflect sufficient liquid
assets to pay off sooner, odds are good IRS will approve the IA. An IA for
a balance this large will need to be worked through ACS.


Condor

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Thanks.

Not really wondering which will give 'better service.' More
interested in which option will produce more or less intense focus. I
remember hearing that one option will get an officer who cares LESS
about the particular/individual case -- and therefore might me more
lenient.

Also, what about an approx 30k debt -- but CAN pay back within 3 yrs
or less? Does it sound like they might go for a pmt arrangement?

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

- quote -

I assume you're asking whether it's preferable to call the IRS toll-free
number or pay an in-person visit to your local IRS walk-in office. The
answer depends on some variables, but in general, I think you'll get better
service in a walk-in office. When addressing a balance over $25,000 than
the taxpayer expects to take longer than 3 years to pay, neither walk-in nor
toll-free are authorized to set up an Installment Agreement (IA). Taxpayers
whose situations fall outside of what IRS considers "streamlined" criteria,
must go through either the Automated Collection System (ACS) or a revenue
officer.


Condor

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

1) Which is better -- to call the nat'l IRS office, or to go to a
LOCAL IRS office -- to resolve a back taxes issue?

I heard the answer before, but I can't remember which is better. One
of the two is supposedly better because they will/won't FOCUS on you
more intently.

2) What trips the meter in terms of when they will/won't offer you a
payment plan vs. them coming after the $$ full force?

Thanks.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >