Category: Uncategorized

Topic: People First Initiative: Liens and Levies (Part II)

Q. What should a taxpayer do if they need a lien release, certificate of discharge, or have another lien issue?

A: The IRS is processing all electronically submitted lien certificate applications normally and assigning them within 10 days. To protect the health and safety of IRS employees and taxpayers, the IRS is NOT currently processing lien certificate applications mailed to the Advisory Consolidated Receipts (ACR) site in Florence, Kentucky. The IRS is working to reopen its offices and to restore mail service and will provide updates as the situation changes. The IRS requests that taxpayers use the E-Fax line for our ACR site (844-201-8382) for certificates such as: discharge of property from the federal tax lien; withdrawal of the notice of federal tax lien; and subordination of the federal tax lien. Publication 4235, Collection Advisory Group Numbers and Addresses (PDF), has additional information on the process for submitting applications for lien certificates, and on related topics. Please visit IRS.gov and search “Lien Certificates” for further information.

(This FAQ is not included in the Internal Revenue Bulletin, and therefore may not be relied upon as legal authority. This means that the information cannot be used to support a legal argument in a court case.)

(IRS FAQ – IRS.gov) (TTT 06/09/2020

If you, or someone you know, do not file tax returns because they make less than the filing threshold, they collect social security, and have dependents, they need to act by 4/22 to get their maximum economic impact payment now. If they do not, they will have to wait until after they file a 2020 return to get the dollars they could receive today.

 

For more info:  IR 2020 www.irs.gov

 

Also, anyone is welcome to get more info on the Economic Impact Payment Discussion in this free IRS webinar April 23.

Federal Tax Lien Collection Actions in Detail (Part VI)

How to apply for a “discharge” of a Federal Tax Lien from property?

A “discharge” removes specific property from the federal tax lien. There are several circumstances under which a discharge may be granted. For example, the IRS may issue a Certificate of Discharge if you’re selling property and the government receives its interest through the sale. For more information on whether you qualify for a discharge, see Publication 783, Instructions on How to Apply for a Certificate of Discharge of Property from Federal Tax Lien. To watch an instructional video about Publication 783, visit www.irsvideos.gov/Individual/ IRSLiens.

Next week: How to make the Federal Tax Lien secondary to other creditors (“subordination”)

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 03/10/2020)

Information for Taxpayers assigned to a Private Collection Agency

Alert: Your delinquent account could be assigned to a Private Collection Agency.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will notify you of the assignment before the Private Collection Agency contacts you and will send you Publication 4518, What You Can Expect When the IRS Assigns You to a Private Collection Agency.

The notice from the IRS will contain the name of the Private Collection Agency they assigned your account to, along with the Private Collection Agency’s address and phone number.

To protect your privacy, the notice will also provide you with a unique ten-digit Taxpayer Authentication Number. Be sure to save the number. The Private Collection Agency will only work with you on your delinquent accounts after authenticating your identity using your Taxpayer Authentication Number.

The IRS contracts with Private Collection Agencies requires that they provide you with quality service and equitable treatment. For more information about the private debt collection program, visit www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection.

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 10/15/19)

How long does the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have to collect my taxes due?

The IRS can attempt to collect your taxes up to 10 years from the date they were assessed. However, there are ways this time period can be suspended. For example, by law, the time to collect may be suspended while:

· The IRS considers your request for an Installment Agreement or Offer in Compromise. If your request is rejected, they will suspend collection for another 30 days, and during any period the Appeals Office is considering your appeal request.

· You live outside the U.S. continuously for at least 6 months. Collection is suspended while you’re outside the U.S.

· The tax periods the IRS is collecting on are included in a bankruptcy with an automatic stay. They will suspend collection for the time period they can’t collect because of the automatic stay, plus 6 months.

· You request a Collection Due Process hearing. Collection will be suspended from the date of your request until a Notice of Determination is issued or the Tax Court’s decision is final.

· The IRS is considering your request for Innocent Spouse Relief. Collection will be suspended from the date of your request until 90 days after a Notice of Determination is issued, or if you file a timely petition to the Tax Court, until 60 days after the Tax Court’s final decision. If you appeal the Tax Court’s decision to a U.S. Court of Appeals, the collection period will begin 60 days after the appeal is filed, unless a bond is posted.

Next week – Information on collection cases assigned to a Private Collection Agency.

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 10/08/19)

How to pay your taxes – if you can’t pay in full: But I am unable to pay at this time:

If you are unable to pay at this time –

Ask the IRS to delay collection and report your account as currently not collectable.

If you can’t pay any of the amount due because payment would prevent you from meeting basic living expenses, you can request that the IRS delay collection until you’re able to pay.

Prior to approving your request, the IRS may ask you to complete a Collection Information Statement and provide proof of your financial status. The form may be Form 433F.

Alerts: remember that even if they delay collection, the IRS will still charge applicable penalties and interest until you pay the full amount. The IRS may file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. They may also request updated financial information during this temporary delay to review your ability to pay. This has been averaging every two years but may vary.

Next week – How long can the IRS collect taxes….

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 10/01/19)

How to pay your taxes – if you can’t pay in full: Offer in Compromise (Part II)

Before the IRS can consider your offer:

· you must file all tax returns you are legally required to file,

· make all required estimated tax payments for the current year, and

· make all required federal tax deposits for the current quarter.

The IRS cannot consider your offer if you are in bankruptcy or and generally if you are currently undergoing an audit.

Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier on the IRS web site to explore the possibility that the Offer in Compromise program may be a realistic option to resolve your balance due.

To apply for an Offer in Compromise, complete one of the following forms:

Form 656-L, Offer in Compromise (Doubt as to Liability) Complete this if there is a genuine dispute as to the existence or amount of the correct taxt debt under the law.

Form 656, Offer in Compromise Complete this if you’re unable to pay the amount due, or have an economic hardship, or have another special circumstance that would cause paying the amount due to be unjust.

For more information, see Form 656-B, Offer in Compromise Booklet or visit www.irs.gov/Individuals/Offer-in-Compromise-1.

Next week – Another option – unable to pay at this time.

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 09/24/19)

How to pay your taxes – if you can’t pay in full: Offer in Compromise (Part I)

You may be eligible for an Offer in Compromise if you can’t pay the amount you owe in full or through an IRS installment agreement.

By requesting an Offer in Compromise, you are asking to settle unpaid taxes for less than the full amount you owe.

The IRS may accept an Offer in Compromise if:

· They agree that your tax debt may not be accurate,

· You have insufficient assets and income to pay the amount due, or

· Because of your exceptional circumstances, paying the amount due would cause an economic hardship or would be unjust.

For an Offer in Compromise to be considered, you must pay an application fee and make an initial or periodic payment for all Form 656 submissions. However, low income taxpayers may qualify for a waiver of the application fee and initial or periodic payment.

For more information, please see the Low-Income Certification form found in Form 656-B, Offer in Compromise Booklet.

Next week – Additional IRS Offer in Compromise information

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 09/17/19)

How to pay your taxes – if you can’t pay in full: Installment Agreement (Part III)

To be eligible for an Installment Agreement, you must file all required tax returns.

Prior to approving your Installment Agreement request, the IRS may ask you to complete a Collection Information Statement (Form 433F, 433-A and/or Form 433-B) and provide proof of your financial status. If you apply over the phone or at an IRS office, have your financial information available. Bring documentation to support your dollar amounts on the form. For more information, see Publication 1854, How to Complete a Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A).

If they approve your request, they will still charge applicable interest and penalties until you pay the balance due in full and may file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien.

If the IRS rejects your Installment Agreement request, you may request that the Office of Appeals review your case. For more information, see Publication 1660, Collection Appeal Rights.

If you’re unable to meet the terms of your approved Installment Agreement, contact the IRS immediately.

Next week – If you can’t pay in full – apply for an Offer in Compromise

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 09/10/19)

How to pay your taxes – if you can’t pay in full: Installment Agreement (Part II)

If you request a payment plan online you will receive immediate notification if your agreement is approved. If you request a payment plan by mail, you can reduce the accrual of penalties and interest by making voluntary payments until you’re notified whether they have accepted your payment plan request. The IRS acceptance of your interim payments doesn’t mean they have approved your request. The IRS will notify you in writing once they have made their decision.

With an Installment Agreement, you can pay by:

· direct debit,

· through payroll deductions,

· electronic funds transfer, or

· check.

The setup fee is reduced if you make your payments by direct debit. You can also pay a reduced user fee if you meet their low-income guidelines. The reduced fee can even be waived completely or reimbursed if you meet the IRS low-income guidelines. For more information, see Form 13844, Application for Reduced User Fee for Installment Agreements. You do not need to submit the user fee with your installment agreement application. The fee can be taken from the initial payments made once the installment agreement is accepted.

Next week – Additional information on eligibility for an IRS Installment Agreement

(IRS Publication 594 and IRS.gov) (TTT 09/03/19)