How To Handle a Tax Bill You Can’t Pay
How To Handle a Tax Bill You Can’t Pay
What could be more chilling than receiving a notice from the IRS that you owe a huge tax bill? The answer: the realization that you don’t have the money to pay off said tax bill. So what should you do if you find yourself in this situation? There is hope.
First off, never ignore such a situation and just hope that it will go away. That won’t work. Instead, face it head on. A good place to start is to contact a tax professional. The IRS does offer several options for people in this situation, but you might not know which is the best option for you. Therefore, meeting with a tax pro is usually a good idea.
The IRS actually offers several payment options for taxpayers in the hole, if they qualify. You can go ahead and pay it off directly from your bank account via IRS Direct Pay. You can also petition the IRS for an installment agreement wherein you agree to pay off the debt monthly. You can request an offer in compromise, as well, which if accepted could lower the amount you have to pay back.
However, as mentioned you must qualify for this option and part of that includes having debt and penalties of $50,000 or less, combined. No matter which payment method you choose you should do everything you can to pay off your debt in full as quickly as possible. The longer you delay payment the stiffer the penalties and the interest will get
Want to learn more? Contact us
Follow GROCO on Facebook
Have a Tax Issue With the IRS? You Could Always Take Them to Court
What would you do if the IRS makes a decision you don’t agree with? For example, let’s say you file a tax return and send it in expecting to receive a refund of $1,500. However, a few weeks later, instead of receiving your refund, you get a letter in the mail informing you that you…
Will Fewer Audits Lead to More Cheating?
There’s an old saying that cheaters never prosper. Of course, there are probably many people who have gotten away with cheating that would beg to differ. When it comes to taxes, however, it’s always best to avoid cheating. Surely, some people do get away with it, but if you ever get caught it could cost…
Could a Trust Be a Good Way for the Wealthy to Save on Taxes?
When you think of trusts, what comes to mind? While many people think of a financial account that is set up as part of an estate plan, there are a couple of little-known trusts that taxpayers, especially the wealthy, can use to help them save on their tax bill. These trusts are perfectly legal and…
How to Avoid Tax Preparation Scams
With so much to do and so many other important things to worry about, many people will be looking for help over the coming weeks and months with their income tax returns. While some people might just choose the first name they see to file their taxes, whom you choose can actually make a big…