Insider Tips from Certified Tax Resolution Specialist on How to Avoid a Tax Settlement Scam if You Have Tax Troubles

A note from Certified Tax Resolution Specialist and CEO of Tax Resolution Services, Michael Rozbruch: April 15th, tax day, has come and gone.  Many of you may find yourself in tax trouble.  Do you owe more taxes and feel like you are unable to pay them?  Are you looking for tax debt relief?  If so, I have one word for you – beware!  Seek tax help from certified tax professionals, otherwise you may find yourself in a tax debt relief scam.  Tax scams are on the rise and if you feel you may be in a tax scam, I suggest you visit the page on our tax website about how to avoid tax scams and review our tax relief scam tips!  Read on for tips from me about the Offer in Compromise program and smart questions to ask yourself when seeking legitimate, professional tax help.

Question: A friend told me I should be concerned about doing an Offer in Compromise. He said there are a lot of tax scams out there. How can I know if an Offer in Compromise is for me, and how can I know I’m not being scammed?

Answer: Your friend isn’t wrong about tax scams. Of course, scams are everywhere, in every industry. Every year around this time, right after people have filed their tax returns and begin to realize they’re in significant tax debt, the number of scams reported begins to rise. I’ll answer your question in two parts:

First, determining whether the Offer in Compromise is for you is something you should do with the help and consultation of a qualified tax professional. Among your initial steps should be to determine whether you even qualify for the program. If you owe a substantial amount to the IRS and you now lack the means to pay that amount, you may qualify for the program.

A qualified tax professional will analyze your previous returns, assess your current situation, and provide you with a determination of whether an Offer in Compromise would be good for you. If you are among those who qualify, an Offer in Compromise can reduce your tax debt significantly.

Now, the second part: Scam artists often prey on those with tax troubles, particularly at this time of year. Some will even claim they have experience negotiating Offers in Compromise with the IRS. But most of these scam artists are fly-by-night operations using questionable marketing tactics.

If you are indeed in need of tax advice, you should research the background of your tax professional: How many years in practice? Does he or she have references? Is he or she licensed? A member of professional associations? If you need tax help, make sure you find a qualified tax professional.

Michael Rozbruch and the Tax Resolution Services team are IRS problem solvers. For a free, no-risk tax consultation, please call the Tax Resolution Services office at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS (1-866-477-7762) or fill out our online free tax consultation form and take your first step toward tax relief today!

More Tax Help, IRS News and Tax Relief Tips:

1. Ask the Tax Resolution Expert: What if My IRS Back Taxes Problem Cannot Be Resolved with the Offer in Compromise Option?
2. Ask the Tax Resolution Expert – Qualifying for the IRS Offer In Compromise Program for Taxes Owed
3. Ask the Tax Resolution Expert – Do I Qualify for the IRS Offer in Compromise Plan or Participating in the IRS Installment Agreement Payment Plan?
4. Ask The Tax Resolution Expert: Is the IRS Offer in Compromise Program too Good to be True?
5. Ask the Tax Resolution Expert – Offer in Compromise Can Help with Tax Debt

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 7th, 2010 at 10:54 am and is filed under IRS Question Corner, IRS Times and Inquirer, Offers in Compromise, Tax Scams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.