Question 1

How much will it cost to resolve my tax debt in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

The cost depends entirely on the complexity of your case and the resolution strategy we pursue. Our fees are always transparent and discussed upfront—no surprises or hidden charges. For simple cases like setting up an installment agreement, costs are typically lower. More complex situations requiring an Offer in Compromise or extensive negotiations will involve higher fees, but these cases also tend to save you the most money in the long run. Here's what's important: if you engage our services, we credit 100% of your consultation fee toward your resolution work. And we never take on cases we don't believe we can successfully resolve, so you can be confident your investment will pay off.

Question 2

Can you really settle my tax debt for less than I owe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through the IRS Offer in Compromise program, but only if you qualify. The IRS will accept less than the full amount owed if they determine you can't pay the full debt or if doing so would create financial hardship. We'll analyze your income, expenses, assets, and future earning potential to determine if you're a good candidate. If you qualify, we'll prepare and submit your offer, negotiate with the IRS, and handle all the paperwork and deadlines. The key is presenting your case correctly the first time. The IRS rejects most offers that are submitted without professional help, but when prepared properly by experienced professionals, success rates are much higher.

Question 3

What happens if the IRS has already started garnishing my wages?

Accepted Answer

We can often stop wage garnishments quickly, sometimes within days of taking your case. The IRS is required to release a levy if it's causing economic hardship or if you enter into a payment agreement. First, we'll contact the IRS immediately to request a levy release based on your financial situation. Then we'll work on a permanent solution—whether that's an installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status—to prevent future collection actions. Time is critical with wage garnishments because they continue until resolved. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can stop the garnishment and protect your paycheck.

Question 4

Do I need to file my back tax returns before you can help me?

Accepted Answer

We can help you whether your returns are filed or not, but unfiled returns do need to be addressed as part of the resolution process. The IRS won't negotiate any settlement until you're "in compliance," which means all required returns are filed. If you have unfiled returns, we'll prepare and file them as part of our service. We'll work with whatever records you have available, and if necessary, we can obtain wage and income information directly from the IRS to reconstruct your tax situation. Filing those back returns often isn't as scary as you think. Sometimes you'll owe less than expected, and occasionally you might even be due refunds. But even if you do owe more, having everything filed puts you in a position to negotiate a real solution.

Question 5

How long does the tax resolution process typically take?

Accepted Answer

Simple cases like installment agreements can often be resolved in 30-60 days. More complex situations involving Offers in Compromise typically take 6-12 months, sometimes longer if the IRS requests additional documentation or if we need to appeal their initial decision. The timeline depends on several factors: the complexity of your case, how quickly you provide requested documentation, the current IRS backlog, and which resolution strategy we pursue. We'll give you realistic expectations upfront and keep you updated throughout the process. What's important is that once we take your case, collection activities typically stop or slow down significantly. You'll have protection while we work toward a permanent resolution, so you can get back to living your life instead of constantly worrying about the IRS.

Question 6

Will resolving my tax debt affect my credit score?

Accepted Answer

Tax liens can appear on your credit report and damage your score, but the resolution process itself typically helps rather than hurts your credit. When we successfully resolve your tax debt, any liens are released, which improves your credit over time. If there's already a lien on your credit report, we can often get it withdrawn (completely removed) rather than just released, which is even better for your credit score. This is especially true if we negotiate an Offer in Compromise or if the lien was filed in error. The key is addressing the problem before it gets worse. Ignoring tax debt leads to liens, levies, and other collection actions that definitely hurt your credit. Resolving it proactively protects your credit and your financial future.

Tax Resolution Birchwood Lakes, PA