Tax Attorney Support in Rockville, MD

For most collection and audit cases, yes. Many people start out searching for a tax attorney rather than an Enrolled Agent, but for most IRS collection and audit matters an EA can represent you directly, and if your situation ever calls for legal counsel we will tell you so you can engage one separately. Enrolled Agents are licensed by the U.S. Treasury and hold unlimited practice rights before the IRS, which covers notices, audits, appeals, payment plans and offers.

Yes. After you sign Form 2848 (Power of Attorney), our founder can speak to the IRS for you, request your account transcripts, respond to letters, attend audits at the IRS office or your business, and negotiate collection alternatives. The license applies in all 50 states, so it doesn't matter which IRS campus or local office has your file.

Don't throw anything away, and don't wait. A bank levy holds your money for 21 days before it goes to the IRS. A wage levy keeps taking part of every paycheck. Gather your last few pay stubs, two or three months of bank statements, recent returns and the levy notice. We'll check where the case is in collection, contact the IRS and push for a release, often by setting up a payment plan or showing financial hardship.

Often. If you've had a clean record for the three prior years, First Time Abate relief can remove failure to file and failure to pay penalties for one year. Otherwise, reasonable cause relief may apply when something outside your control, like a hospitalization or a fire, kept you from complying. The request needs facts and documents, not just an apology letter.

The IRS may file a substitute return for you, based only on the W-2s and 1099s it has, with no deductions or credits. That usually inflates what you owe. Preparing real returns is typically step one, and the timing should fit the bigger plan, since the final balances drive which payment or relief options you'll qualify for.

Yes. Installment agreements are available to most people who can't pay in full. Smaller balances can often be set up with minimal paperwork, while larger ones need a financial statement listing income, expenses and assets. Keep in mind that a missed payment can default the agreement and restart collection, so we aim for a payment you can sustain.

Sometimes. An Offer in Compromise lets the IRS accept less than the full balance when it believes it can't collect more. It looks at your income, allowable living expenses, assets and future earning power, and you have to be current on filings and estimated payments. We work through the numbers before you apply so you don't pay a fee for an offer that has little chance.

It depends on how many years are involved, whether returns need to be prepared, where the case sits in collection, and whether there's an audit or appeal underway. We'll review the facts first and explain what the work involves before you commit to anything. There's no minimum engagement just to talk.