Question 1

How Long Does Tax Resolution Take In Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

The timeline for tax resolution in Pennsylvania varies significantly based on your specific situation and which resolution option works best for your financial circumstances. Simple installment agreements can often be set up within 30-60 days, while more complex cases like offers in compromise typically take 6-12 months to complete the entire process.

Pennsylvania's unlimited statute of limitations on tax collection means there's no rush from their perspective, but there's definitely urgency from yours. The sooner you start the resolution process, the sooner you can stop additional penalties and interest from accumulating on your debt. We've found that most of our Belian Village, PA clients see meaningful progress within the first 90 days of starting the process.

The key is getting started with professional representation rather than trying to handle it yourself, which often leads to delays and missed opportunities for better resolution terms that could save you thousands of dollars.

Question 2

Can I Settle My Pennsylvania Tax Debt For Less Than I Owe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Pennsylvania does accept offers in compromise, but they're much more restrictive than federal offers in compromise and require meeting specific criteria. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will only consider settlements when there's doubt about your liability or when it promotes effective tax administration.

Unlike the IRS, Pennsylvania doesn't have a standard formula for calculating settlement amounts. Each case is reviewed individually by the Board of Appeals, and they look at factors like your ability to pay, the likelihood of collection, and your overall financial situation. Most successful offers in compromise in Pennsylvania involve taxpayers who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship or doubt about the tax liability itself.

The application process requires extensive financial documentation and can take several months to complete. Having professional representation significantly improves your chances of approval because we know exactly how to present your case in the most favorable light to the Board of Appeals and avoid common mistakes that lead to automatic rejections.

Question 3

What Happens If The IRS Puts A Lien On My Property?

Accepted Answer

An IRS tax lien is a legal claim against your property that secures the government's interest in your tax debt. Once filed with Wayne County, it becomes public record and can seriously damage your credit rating for years. The lien attaches to all your property—real estate, vehicles, business assets, and even future property you might acquire.

The good news is that liens can be removed through several methods we specialize in. If you can pay the debt in full, the lien is released within 30 days. If you can't pay in full, we can often negotiate a lien withdrawal as part of an installment agreement or help you qualify for a lien subordination that allows you to sell or refinance property.

In some cases, we can get the lien discharged from specific property if it helps facilitate collection of the tax debt. The key is acting quickly because liens make it nearly impossible to sell property or get credit until they're resolved, and they continue to damage your credit score every month they remain active.

Question 4

How Much Do Tax Resolution Services Cost?

Accepted Answer

Our fee structure is transparent and based on the complexity of your case, not arbitrary pricing that changes based on how much you owe. For straightforward installment agreements, fees typically range from $1,500 to $3,000. More complex cases involving offers in compromise or multiple tax years generally range from $3,000 to $7,500.

What sets us apart is our consultation credit policy—if you engage our services, we credit 100% of your consultation fee toward your resolution work. This means you're not paying extra just to find out what options are available to you. We also don't require large upfront payments like many national tax resolution companies that demand $5,000 or more before they'll even start working on your case.

Most clients find that our fees are a fraction of what they save through professional representation. When you consider the penalties, interest, and additional taxes that continue to accrue while you're trying to handle things yourself, professional help usually pays for itself quickly and saves you money in the long run.

Question 5

Can The IRS Take Money Directly From My Bank Account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the IRS can issue a bank levy that freezes your account and allows them to take funds to satisfy your tax debt. Once a levy is in place, you typically have only 21 days to respond before the bank must turn over your money to the IRS, regardless of what you need that money for.

Bank levies are particularly devastating because they can happen without warning and can take all the money in your account, even if it's needed for essential expenses like rent, utilities, or groceries. The IRS doesn't consider your living expenses when they issue a levy—they just want their money and they'll take it from wherever they can find it.

The best protection against bank levies is to address your tax problems before they escalate to this point. If you've already received levy notices, we can often negotiate a release by setting up a payment plan or demonstrating that the levy is causing economic hardship. We can also help you get levied funds returned in certain situations, though this is much more difficult than preventing the levy in the first place.

Question 6

What's The Difference Between Federal And Pennsylvania Tax Problems?

Accepted Answer

The biggest difference is that Pennsylvania has no statute of limitations on tax collection, while the IRS generally has 10 years to collect after assessment. This means Pennsylvania can pursue your state tax debt indefinitely, making it even more important to resolve these issues quickly before they spiral out of control.

Pennsylvania also has different resolution options that are generally less favorable than federal options. Their Deferred Payment Plans are less flexible than IRS installment agreements, typically requiring 20% down and full payment within 6 months. Pennsylvania's offer in compromise program is much more restrictive than the federal program and requires approval from the Board of Appeals rather than standard IRS processing.

However, Pennsylvania tax debts are usually smaller than federal debts, so resolution is often more straightforward once you know how to navigate their system. We handle both federal and state tax problems simultaneously, which is important because resolving one without addressing the other can create new complications. Our experience with both systems allows us to coordinate your resolution strategy for the best overall outcome and maximum savings.

Tax Resolution Belian Village, PA