The IRS has loosened the rules for people who are struggling to pay their taxes. The goal is to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to pay back taxes and to avoid IRS tax liens. The IRS’ new rules are part of its “Fresh Start” program. If you qualify, the “Fresh Start” can […]

[Note: this post is available as a PDF in the Toolkit section of this website] As everyone knows, keeping accurate financial records is always a good idea. When it comes to preparing for filing taxes, having accurate and organized tax records will not only reduce the inevitable short-term stress but make you better prepared should […]

A taxpayer who receives a letter from the IRS gets stressed out even before they open the letter and read. Not every IRS letter is a threat. Over the course of the year, the IRS sends out tens of millions of notices and letters. Some letters may contain general information, others a request to update information. […]

A common first reaction to an Internal Revenue Service audit or collection letter is panic, followed closely by throwing the letter into a pile of unread mail. This is a big mistake. The IRS is trying to tell you something and will let you know the reason for the audit or collection notice in the […]

On January 11, 2012, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olsen released her annual report to Congress. According to Olsen, as a result of underfunding and increasing workload, the Internal Revenue Service continues to create problems for taxpayers that result in inadequate taxpayer service, erosion of taxpayer rights and reduced tax compliance, which means that compliant […]