Question 1

How quickly can you stop the IRS from garnishing my wages in South Abington?

Accepted Answer

We can typically halt wage garnishments within 24-48 hours of being retained. The moment you hire us, we immediately contact the IRS and establish representation, which usually results in an automatic stay of collection activities.

However, timing matters. If you've already received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, you have 30 days to respond before the garnishment begins. The sooner you call us, the more options we have to protect your income.

Once we stop the garnishment, we work on a permanent solution. This might be a payment plan, an Offer in Compromise, or proving that the garnishment would cause economic hardship. The key is acting quickly before the IRS starts taking money from your paycheck.

Question 2

What's the difference between an Offer in Compromise and a payment plan?

Accepted Answer

An Offer in Compromise lets you settle your tax debt for less than you owe – sometimes significantly less. If you qualify, you might pay $5,000 to settle a $30,000 debt. But the IRS only accepts about 25% of offers, and you must prove you can't pay the full amount.

A payment plan spreads your full tax debt over time, typically 3-6 years. You'll pay the entire amount you owe, plus interest, but in manageable monthly payments. Payment plans are much easier to qualify for than offers.

Which option is better depends on your financial situation. If you're truly unable to pay the full debt without causing significant hardship, an Offer in Compromise might work. If you can afford monthly payments but just need time, an installment agreement is usually the faster, more reliable solution.

Question 3

Can you help with Pennsylvania state tax problems or just federal IRS issues?

Accepted Answer

We handle both federal IRS problems and Pennsylvania state tax issues. This is important for South Abington residents because you're dealing with multiple tax authorities – the IRS, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and local tax collectors like Berkheimer.

Many national tax resolution companies only handle federal tax problems, leaving you to figure out state issues on your own. Since we're based in Pennsylvania, we understand the state's tax system and have relationships with Pennsylvania tax authorities.

We can resolve Pennsylvania income tax debts, help with state audit issues, and negotiate payment plans with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. We also understand how federal and state tax resolutions interact, which is crucial for getting the best overall outcome.

Question 4

How much do tax resolution services cost and is it worth it?

Accepted Answer

Our fees vary based on the complexity of your case, but we're transparent about costs upfront. Simple cases like basic payment plans typically cost less than complex Offers in Compromise or business payroll tax resolutions.

Here's how to think about value: If you owe $50,000 and we negotiate it down to $10,000, our fee is a fraction of what we saved you. Even for payment plans, we often negotiate away penalties and interest that far exceed our fees.

More importantly, consider the cost of doing nothing. IRS penalties and interest compound daily. Wage garnishments can take 25% of your income. Bank levies can wipe out your accounts. The stress alone affects your health, relationships, and ability to work. Professional representation often pays for itself many times over.

Question 5

What happens if the IRS has already filed a tax lien against my property?

Accepted Answer

A federal tax lien is serious, but it's not permanent. Once we resolve your tax debt, we can get the lien released or withdrawn. The key is addressing the underlying tax problem that caused the lien in the first place.

While the lien exists, it affects your credit score and makes it difficult to sell property or get loans. But liens don't mean the IRS will immediately seize your assets. That requires a separate legal process called a levy, which we can usually prevent.

Our strategy depends on your situation. We might negotiate a payment plan that satisfies the IRS and gets the lien released. Or we might pursue an Offer in Compromise to settle the debt and remove the lien entirely. In some cases, we can get liens withdrawn, which removes them from your credit report as if they never existed.

Question 6

Do I really need professional help or can I resolve this myself?

Accepted Answer

You can try to resolve tax problems yourself, but it's risky. The IRS has specific procedures, deadlines, and requirements. One mistake can cost you thousands of dollars or eliminate options that could have saved you money.

For example, if you file an Offer in Compromise incorrectly, the IRS keeps your application fee and you've wasted months while penalties and interest continued growing. If you miss deadlines for appeals or collections due process hearings, you lose important rights.

IRS agents are trained negotiators who do this every day. They're not trying to help you – they're trying to collect as much money as possible. Having professional representation levels the playing field and often results in better outcomes than you'd get on your own. Most clients tell us they wish they'd called sooner instead of trying to handle it themselves first.

Tax Resolution South Abington, PA