In July 2019, the IRS released a roadmap of the Taxpayer Journey through the IRS.

Here’s what it looks like:

Simple, right?

The IRS admits that the map “shows the complexity of the tax administration, with its connections and overlaps and repetitions between stages.” Then they explain, “As you can see, the road to compliance isn’t always easy to navigate.” AKA, getting IRS tax relief is also complicated. What they don’t say is that a single ignored notice, one form box left empty, or a missed deadline could derail the ENTIRE settlement process, putting you back at the starting point — and causing delays, as your tax debt continues to grow. Not to mention that taking the wrong turn in any part of the maze could also result in enforcement action, such as tax liens, levies and paying more to the IRS than you need to. At Landmark Tax Group, we handle everything for you, so you can rest easy knowing that seasoned IRS tax debt experts AND former IRS Agents are managing every detail of your IRS Collections case and guiding you through the maze. With us as your licensed Tax Representative, we’re the driver and you’re the passenger. All you have to do is take three simple steps. Here’s what OUR roadmap to IRS tax relief looks like:

…That’s it! If this sounds like a better option to you, then read on to learn about our effective approach to IRS tax relief.

ROAD MAP TO IRS TAX RELIEF

Many of our clients come to us with two key questions:

1. Can you settle my IRS problem for less than I owe?
2. How long will it take?

Upon retaining Landmark Tax Group to resolve your tax issue, some forms of IRS tax relief will be immediate and some will be over time. It is important to keep in mind that IRS problems didn’t come about overnight and will similarly take time to resolve. The good news is that generally you won’t have to meet or speak with the IRS while we are representing you. An average IRS case can take anywhere from 3 – 12 months (or longer) depending on the amount of tax liability owed, the complexity of the case, IRS backlogs, and your individual case facts and circumstances.

FREE ANSWERS 

If you have never been a client of ours, the first step is to review our vast FREE HELP MENU where you will find helpful answers to your most important IRS questions.

CONSULTATION

When you’re ready to resolve your IRS matter with 1-on-1 help, we recommend starting at the bottom with an IRS Strategy Session, before committing to Full IRS Representation. Many times an IRS Strategy Session is all a taxpayer needs to determine exactly “what to do” and “how to do it” on their own, saving them thousands of dollars in professional fees. Our experienced tax resolution Enrolled Agents and former IRS Agents will evaluate your situation and discuss all available options for resolving your tax matter – you will be speaking directly with an IRS-licensed tax professional. The Session lasts up to 60 minutes to ensure we’ll have as much time as needed to answer all of your questions and provide you with our detailed feedback and customized plan-of-action. We conduct IRS Strategy Sessions for taxpayers all over the country (and even overseas!) – click to see how an IRS Strategy Session works.

 What Happens Next …

1. RETAINING LANDMARK TAX GROUP: At the end of your IRS Strategy Session you will be given the opportunity to bring us on board as your Tax Representative. We will immediately prepare and email you an Engagement Letter along with a Power-of-Attorney (POA) form, which establishes us as your Tax Representative (this Form is required by the IRS). We will then quickly file the POA form with the IRS. This will provide you with immediate IRS Tax relief, because from this point on the IRS will be required to contact us instead of you. If they should happen to contact you, all you need to do is politely request that they contact Landmark Tax Group directly and provide them with our contact information, including phone number. A separate POA will be required for any State problem you have retained us for as well. Once we receive the signed Engagement Letter and POA form from you, we get started on your case right away – usually the exact same day.

2. BEGINNING THE TAX RESOLUTION PROCESS: Your case will be personally worked by an Enrolled Agent , fully licensed Tax Representative, and former IRS Agent who will work diligently on your case from start to finish. All of our IRS tax relief experts are licensed tax professionals and are extremely qualified and specialize 100% in IRS Collection cases. We will develop a phased strategy for resolving your case and advise you on what steps to take to achieve the most effective resolution. As your IRS tax relief professional, we will always be available to you by direct dial phone, direct e-mail, in person, and via video call. At Landmark Tax Group, we keep you apprised of your case status every step of the way, and we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Most of our clients never need to initiate contact with us because we provide regular case updates as the case progresses towards a resolution. (Learn about our Firm Values and Commitment to Clients)

TAX REPRESENTATION INCLUDES:

3. IRS COMPLIANCE: Generally, before any case resolution will be accepted by the IRS, you must become a compliant taxpayer. Compliance means that all past due unfiled tax returns must be prepared and filed, even if you can’t pay. Compliance also means you have to be “current” on your quarterly estimated tax payments and you must be withholding at the correct rate if you are a wage earner. We are experienced in what must be done to achieve “current compliance” and will advise you accordingly. For those clients who can’t furnish records necessary to prepare your taxes, we have developed methods, in accordance with IRS regulations, for completing the preparation of tax returns in order to get them filed as soon as possible. Again, the focus here is on filing compliance, even if you cannot pay the tax due.

4. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: Clients who achieve successful resolution of their matters have the following traits in common: They view the relationship with us as a collaborative one. They view this as a “project” that requires cooperation. They follow through, on a TIMELY basis, with our requests for information and documentation. Clients that achieve stated resolution goals return our phone calls and emails, and stay in contact with us throughout the duration of their case. We know how to resolve your case, but we need your assistance to meet strict IRS deadlines and turnaround times – this helps prevent IRS enforcement actions, such as tax liens and levies. We can anticipate most of the IRS’ demands for information (after all, we used to work there) and in a majority of cases would have already started to collect these items from you.

5. TAX SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of a thorough case analysis and financial analysis, we will propose a resolution plan to the IRS that is in your best interest and see it through to acceptance. We have an excellent IRS settlement track record and pride ourselves in obtaining the best (lowest) settlement for you under the Law (aka Tax Code). Again, the objective is to determine the best, most favorable resolution available to you based on the specific facts and circumstances of your particular case, under the Law. However, because of IRS procedures, it is rare that a proposal is accepted right away. Through diligence, persistence and follow up, we will monitor IRS actions, provide additional information to the IRS as needed, and negotiate your proposed resolution until a resolution is achieved. We will also represent you in front of the IRS Appeals Office as part of the engagement, whenever necessary.

6. TAX RESOLUTION IS REACHED: We will review the final resolution of your case by the IRS to make sure it is as agreed upon. If not, we will insist that it be changed to reflect what was agreed to. If the IRS is unwilling to do this, we will advise you as to what your options are for the next step. If necessary, we will prepare and file a timely appeal on your behalf, and represent you in front of the IRS Appeals Unit. Finally, you will be advised on what you must do in order to succeed with your resolution and to avoid future tax problems – we call this IRS Prevention Guidance. Following our advice will help keep you off the IRS radar going forward.