Many of those who file federal income tax with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) find that having itemized deductions can be a great way to pay less federal income tax.  Although the Internal Revenue Service offers a standard deduction on federal income tax that varies depending on if you are filing as an individual, Head of Household, or Married Filing Jointly or Separately, itemized deductions can typically exceed the standard deduction.

So what are considered itemized deductions?  Following is a list of the most common itemized deductions allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Business Expenses.  Business expenses that are not reimbursed are fully deductible.  Business expenses include travel and entertainment expenses, as well as those related to business use of your home or automobile.

Casualty Losses.  Losses as the result of a disaster, theft, or other casualty that are not reimbursed by insurance are fully deductible as an itemized deductions.

Charitable Contributions.  Amounts given to a charity are fully an itemized deduction.  For cash, property, or services that are given away to be considered a deductible charitable contribution, the cash, property, or service must be given to a qualified organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.

Educational Expenses.  Expenses related to your education in order to maintain or improve your job skills as required by your employer or law that are not reimbursed by your employer are fully deductible on your federal income tax.

Interest Expenses.  Interest paid on certain types of debt are fully deductible as an itemized deduction on your federal income tax.  For interest to be deductible, it must related to an investment or a qualified residence.

Medical Expenses.  For years up to and including December 31, 2012, medical expenses may be deducted to the amount that they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.  Beginning January 1, 2013, medical expenses can only be deducted in the amount they exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Taxes.  The following types of taxes are fully deductible as an itemized deduction: state, local, and foreign income and real estate taxes; state and local property taxes; state and local sales taxes; and motor vehicle taxes.

Miscellaneous Expenses.  Certain other expenses are deductible as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income.  These miscellaneous expenses include unreimbursed employee expenses and fees paid related to the preparation of your federal income tax.

As noted above, this is only a list of the most common itemized deductions allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.  You should seek the help of a tax attorney for a complete list of itemized deductions.

If you are unsure if you have sufficient itemized deductions in order to claim them on your federal income tax, you should seek the help of a tax attorney.  A tax attorney will know the current tax laws and how to review your specific income, expenses, and overall situation to determine what your itemized deductions are and if they are sufficient for you to claim them on your federal income tax.

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You are being audited.  Those are four words none of us ever want to hear.  After all, submitting your federal income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be a lot of work to begin with.  Depending on how complicated your taxes are, simply gathering all the appropriate documentation you need to complete your taxes can be a lot of effort.  And if you actually prepare your return yourself rather than paying a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), tax attorney, or other professional tax preparer to complete your return, then the process is that much more difficult and stressful.  So you certainly want to do everything you can to avoid having to revisit your tax return as a part of an IRS audit.

So is there anything you can do to avoid an IRS audit?  Thankfully, there is… or at least there is a way to minimize the chance of your return being selected for an IRS audit.  As some returns are selected for audit purely at random, there is no way to completely prevent your return from being selected (unless you choose not to file your taxes, which is not a course of action I recommend).  But following are five things that increase the odds of your tax return being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.

1. Calculation Errors.  Be sure that all of your math calculations are correct.  Simple errors in addition or subtraction can cause your taxes not to foot properly when entered  into the IRS’ computer systems.  Such errors can lead to the Internal Revenue Service reviewing your return in more detail and potentially trigger an audit.
2. Interest, dividend, and W-2 reporting errors.  Certain statements you receive for use in your tax return, such as those for interest and dividends (e.g., 1099 forms) or wages you earned during the year (e.g. W-2s), have very specific numbers that must be entered from the statements into your tax forms.  And copies of some of these statements are sent to the IRS as well.  Therefore, if you do not enter the numbers correctly, it will raise flags that may result in your return being audited.
3. Over-abundance of itemized deductions.  If you use itemized deductions rather that the standard deduction, and especially if your itemized deductions are exceedingly high for your income level, the IRS is more likely to select your return for an audit.  Therefore, be sure your itemized deductions are accurate and you have the documentation necessary to support them.
4. Incomplete return.  The Internal Revenue Service has specific forms they want a taxpayer to complete based on the type of return being filed.  If you do not include the correct forms with your return or you do not complete the forms fully, it can trigger an IRS audit of your tax return.
5. IRS knowledge about your inappropriate tax items.  Remember that the Internal Revenue Service pays bounties to people who turn in others who have not paid their appropriate amount of tax.  Therefore, if you brag to your friends on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or other social media sites about how you cheated the IRS, know that you may be turned in by your “friends.”

In summary, you should make every effort to submit an accurate and complete tax return, which will put you in the best possible position to minimize the chance of having your return audit while being able to defend your tax return should an IRS audit arise.

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If you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) related to unpaid federal income tax, you have likely experienced an escalating series of attempts by the IRS to collect that unpaid money.  The taxes we pay to the IRS are used in large part to fund the federal government of the United States.  If federal income tax is not paid or collected, the government simply will not have the funding needed to function.  Therefore, the IRS has been given powerful authority to seek and collect payment of unpaid federal income tax.

If you do not willingly pay the federal income tax you owe or work with the IRS to establish some form of payment plan, the IRS is able to enforce its authority to collect those unpaid taxes through the use of a levy.  A levy is a legal means by which the IRS is able to seize property from a taxpayer.  An IRS levy leaves you little in the way of asset protection, as the IRS can use a levy to seize your wages, checking and savings account balances, cars and trucks, retirement accounts, and real estate.

If you owe money to the IRS and believe they may obtain an IRS levy against your property, what you may be more interested in understanding is asset protection–that is, what assets are protected from an IRS levy?  Following is information about two ways you can establish asset protection against an IRS levy.

Obtain an IRS Exemption

The easiest means of asset protection is through an asset exemption offered by the Internal Revenue Service.  When the IRS exempts an assets from a levy, it means the IRS will not attempt to seize that asset.

The IRS generally exempts assets in two cases.  First, the IRS will not seize assets that are required in order for you to earn an income.  For example, if you are a handyman and you need your truck and tools to perform work, the IRS will likely allows you to keep those assets.

Second, the IRS will not seize assets that have no value.  This may include things that they simply cannot sell or assets that already have a liability attached to them.  For example, if you own a home but your mortgage is for an amount equal to the value of the home, then the IRS likely will not seize your home, because there would be no money left over after funds from the sale are used to pay off the mortgage.

Transfer Ownership

Assets that are transferred to ownership by someone else are not subject to seizure by the Internal Revenue Service, simply because they are no longer your asset.  However, such a transfer must occur well before the IRS levy goes into effect, as any asset transfer after the IRS levy is in place will be reversed by the IRS levy so the IRS can seize the asset.

Even if you transfer an asset to someone else before an IRS levy is enforced against you, if the transfer was purely to try to keep the IRS from seizing the asset, the IRS levy will still give the IRS power to seize the asset.

 

Some people may advise you that you can hide assets from the Internal Revenue Service by not telling the IRS about the assets and placing them in difficult-to-find locations such as offshore accounts.  However, hiding assets from the IRS is technically illegal and can result in serious repercussions if the IRS finds out you have lied to them or otherwise misled them about the assets you own.

Before you take any steps to shield your assets from an IRS levy, you should speak with a tax attorney.

How can I discuss my situation with a tax attorney?

By completing the short form found below, it will allow a tax attorney to contact you to discuss your situation.  The tax attorney will be knowledgeable about the statutes related to Internal Revenue Service tax levies and asset protection and will be able to evaluate your situation in light of these laws.

The conversation you have with the tax attorney will be free of charge, completely confidential, and will not obligate you to anything further.  Therefore, please take advantage of this opportunity to have an initial consultation with a tax attorney about your tax issues.

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Federal income tax returns are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year on or around April 15.  Once you have filed your tax return, it is generally the end of the matter for you.  Your federal income tax return is processed and you do not think about your taxes again until the following year.

But this year for some reason you received a notice from the IRS.  Specifically, the IRS notice indicates that they are charging you a penalty related to your federal income tax return.  Why?  Read on to find out the main reason the IRS may say you owe them money and what you need to do about it.

Once you file your federal income tax return, the IRS will review the return to determine if it appears to be complete and accurate.  If the IRS deems the return is complete and accurate, they will process it.  If the IRS detects some sort of issue, they will send you a notice describing what the issue is and what it means to you.  A list of many notices the IRS may send appears on the IRS’ web site at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96199,00.html.

If you receive a notice from the IRS indicating they are charging you a penalty, it is usually because you owe a tax liability to the IRS that you have failed to pay.  Many people do not realize that when you file your federal income tax return, if you owe a tax liability to the IRS, the IRS expects you to pay the tax liability at the time you file.  Even if you file an extension for your tax return, the extension only relates to allowing you more time to file your tax return.  The IRS still expects you to pay your tax liability due on or around April 15.

If you filed your tax return and did not owe a tax liability, yet you still received a notice from the IRS that you now owe them money related to a penalty, it is possible that you made an error on your taxes.  In the process of the IRS reviewing your tax return for completeness and accuracy, if they detect and correct an error, it could mean that you now owe money to them.  And since the IRS detected the issue after the time when you should have paid the balance due, you may not be assessed a penalty.

Whatever the reason for the penalty or money you owe to the IRS, your best option is to get help from a tax attorney.

Obtaining help from a tax attorney

If you need help with your federal income tax, you can the help you need from a tax attorney.  If you complete the short form found below, a tax attorney can review your case free of charge and start giving you direction on how to address the penalty you received from the IRS.  The tax attorney can help you with the completion of any forms or other steps necessary to address the issue.

Any conversations you have with a tax attorney are completely confidential, and the initial consultation does not obligate you to anything further.  Therefore, take advantage of this opportunity today to help minimize the money you owe to the IRS and put the matter behind you.

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If you owe money on a past tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), you have probably found that they are very persistent in hunting you down in an attempt to get their money.  The initial contact from the IRS may simply come in the form of letters and phone calls under the guise of being sure you are aware that you owe them back taxes related to your tax return.  However, as time passes and the IRS continues to either not hear from you at all or not receive the money you owe them, they will realize that the non-payment of the back taxes is not simply an oversight on your part.

As the IRS can in general seek to collect back taxes for up to 10 years from the date when you filed the tax return related to that money, it is very difficult to outlast the IRS.  Before the 10-year statute of limitations runs out, the IRS will generally file a levy against you to take your property, forcing collection of the back tax owed.

However, you do have options to keep the IRS from continuing to harass you.  Here are some solutions you should consider.

Pay the federal income tax you owe.  If you are looking for help with your tax return and back taxes you owe, then odds are that you simply cannot afford to pay the back tax that you owe on your tax return.  Regardless, this point is worth mentioning and evaluating fully to ensure this solution is not an option.

If you do not have the cash available to pay the tax you owe on your tax return, do you have any other assets or property—cars, boats, homes, jewelry, real estate—you could sell for enough money to cover the back tax?  If you do and you have not been willing to sell the property because it has sentimental or other important value to you, remember that selling other property you have may be a viable solution to get the IRS off your back.

Negotiate a settlement with the IRS.  The IRS has options available to help people pay back federal income tax they owe.  One of these options is a payment plan or settlement agreement, which means that you will pay all the tax you owe not as a single lump-sum payment but as a series of payments over time.  This means that you may be able to work out with the IRS a monthly payment you can afford to address the back taxes you owe.

A second option is an offer in compromise.  An offer in compromise is when the IRS agrees to accept less than the full amount of federal income tax you owe.  But before you assume this is the best option for you, simply because it means you will have to pay less money than you thought you would, keep in mind that the IRS does not enter into an offer in compromise with a taxpayer without a good reason.  For the IRS to accept an offer in compromise, they must believe that they are unlikely to ever receive the full payment, because you have no assets or income.  In addition, you must file every past due tax return you have not filed previously.

Declare bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy is an option for addressing money you owe on a past tax return in certain cases.  Specifically, if the back tax is related to the previous three tax years, an amount assessed by the Internal Revenue Service in the past 240 days, or an amount related to an income tax return you never filed, bankruptcy cannot be used to get rid of the back taxes.  This is true whether you use Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the two most common types of bankruptcies used by individuals.

Whatever your situation, before you decide one of the above options may be for you in addressing your federal income tax situation, it would be wise to speak with a tax attorney.

Can a tax attorney help me figure out what I should do?

Yes, a tax attorney will be able to help evaluate your back taxes and determine what options is best for your situation.  The tax attorney will have experience working with cases related to past due federal income tax–situations like yours–and will know what to do.

The initial conversation you have with a tax attorney will be free of charge, completely confidential, and not obligate you to anything further.  Therefore, please take this opportunity today to learn what options you have to address your back taxes and get the IRS off your back.

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If the Internal Revenue Service contacted you about a Federal Tax Lien, your Norfolk property could be in jeopardy. The Internal Revenue Service threatens overdue taxpayers with these powerful Liens. Whether you feel helpless, frustrated or irate, your next moves could change your and your family’s future. Continue reading to learn about the components and dangers of Federal Tax Liens and how a Norfolk Tax Law Attorney can help you.

After the Internal Revenue Service attaches a Federal Tax Lien to your property, you will receive written notice of:

• The property address against which the Federal Tax Lien is filed;
• The Lien amount;
• The county in which the Lien is recorded; and
• Contact information for the Internal Revenue Service.

What You Should Know

After filing your Federal Tax Lien, the Internal Revenue Service waits ever so patiently for you to sell your property. Whether it takes months or years, they will be poised to swoop in at closing and take the full Lien amount from your proceeds, before you (and your mortgage company, if any) can take anything. They also take from you your right to determine how you spend your sale proceeds.

Perils to Consider

The risks of Federal Tax Liens are a mystery to most Virginians. Consider your:

• Career Choices: If you seek a higher salary position to pay-down your Federal Tax Lien, beware of positions requiring you to relocate. Should you sell your home, before you can apply your profits to a down payment on your next home, the Internal Revenue Service will apply those profits toward your Lien. Even moving expenses or an apartment deposit could prove beyond your reach. Your Federal Tax Lien can limit your career choices.

• Golden Years: If you dream of a comfortable retirement, partially funded by downsizing your current home and living on your equity, remember the Internal Revenue Service does not share your dream. They have first rights to your equity at closing to clear your Lien. You may need to work longer or live less comfortably. Your Federal Tax Lien can change your golden years.

• Home’s Worth: If your home’s value has declined lately, selling it may not be enough to clear your Federal Tax Lien. Your may not yield enough profit to pay-off your Lien and your mortgage, if any. How then will you fund your down payment on your next home? Your Federal Tax Lien can turn your biggest asset—your home—into your biggest nightmare.
• Credit Worthiness: If you work diligently to improve your credit score, you may see it worsen when news of your Federal Tax Lien reaches Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Get ready for several possibilities: more expensive credit and possibly even the withdrawal of offers of credit, insurance and employment. Your Federal Tax Lien can impact every area of your life.

How Do I Clear This Federal Tax Lien?

Your best first step is to contact a Norfolk Tax Law Attorney. If you want to attempt clearing the Lien yourself, consider:

• Your Past Performance: Since you could not prevent the Lien from being filed, how can you expect to remove it yourself?

• Your Insider Knowledge: The Internal Revenue Service routinely credits partial payments as “payment in full” on Federal Tax Liens, if such an arrangement has been agreed to in advance. However, they frequently do not share information like this with taxpayers, as they want the highest collections possible. What else do you not know that may hurt you?

• Your Proficiency: How conversant are you in Internal Revenue Service regulations and procedures? How many Federal Tax Liens have you personally cleared?

The Internal Revenue Service looks after its own interests: collecting as much money as possible. Who will safeguard your interests?

Even past skirmishes with antagonistic creditors or belligerent litigants may not prepare you to contest a Federal Tax Lien. Taking on the Internal Revenue Service means taking on the United States Federal Government. Doing it alone is naïve at best, treacherous at worst.

Start today making better decisions. Contact a Norfolk Tax Law attorney. Find someone to help safeguard your interests.

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C.S. Lewis wrote, “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” Dr. Charles Adams who authored For Good and Evil, the impact of taxes on the course of civilization, wrote, “The tax system is the barometer of the liberty in any society.”

When you place these two quotes in the same paragraph or side by side, do they not remind you of the current tax system in the United States? I have been taught since childhood that it is a privilege to pay taxes and  have heard all the political arguments of how much good our government does for us with our taxes. I wonder if my conscience has become so seared that I no longer can recognize what the difference in liberty is and the oppression by those who claim to do good for me with the taxes I pay. It doesn’t take much step from my way of thinking in this case to ask if taxation in the United States has reached tyrannical proportions. Tyranny in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is simply defined as either “oppressive power, especially the oppressive power exerted by government; or a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force.”

I have been told there are over 100,000 taxing entities within the United States today including local, state, and federal. Each taxing entity has its own legislative statutes made for their rule and direction, each taxing entity has its own bureaucracy, and each taxing entity has its own compliance system for the collection of their taxes. So, when do these government taxing entities help to contribute to a rigorous condition whereby they have imposed their will as an acting agency? In other words, when does taxation in the United States reach tyrannical proportions?

Today, our system of taxation is so complicated it takes special skills to interpret the laws, provide the information required to satisfy the taxing entities, administer the taxes, and even collect the taxes. I know of not one parcel of society that has not been affected by taxation. Taxes are everywhere and effects everyone. Yet, we are constantly being told we are running out of tax money, and there is a great need to help us by producing more. So, a rigorous condition of pressure is imposed on the taxpayers for more taxes. When the taxpayers fall by the wayside because of any condition that may have oppressed them, the need for more tax dollars is even greater to fill the void. The need for more and more taxes seems like a never ending, vicious, and oppressive circle. Since they imply taxation is for our own good, the most oppressive.

If you feel like you are being oppressed by some taxing entity within the United States, the good news is that you still have the right to have a specialist represent you. It would be nice if it were possible to simplify our tax system, but until that time arrives, you will have to rely on the specialist of the day, a tax attorney. If you live in or around the area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and you have been faced with a taxing dilemma that may seem oppressive, contact us today. We will get you in touch with a tax lawyer in your area who will be able to help you answer all the questions you may have about tax law.

(more…)

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I have always been told since I was a kid that there are two absolute givens in this world we call the United States- that death and taxes are imminent.  Washington’s Department of Revenue (WDOR) evidently understands this imminent concept of death and taxes also. On their website, they not only talk about a taxpayer’s rights, but under the same category and breath, they talk about your responsibilities to pay your taxes. By doing so, Washington implicitly reminds us that death and taxes are imminent.

I do a lot of legal research, and I have been researching the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. This movement, led by taxpayer protests and the state of Colorado in 1992, has gained momentum in recent years and many states have joined the bandwagon. There are a lot different ways the states have approached the movement.  Not to be confused with the TABOR laws of Colorado which limits government growth  by tying the tax revenues to inflation and population increases, many state legislatures have taken the bull by the horn and passed Taxpayer Bill of Rights laws. These laws actually protect the taxpayer from unscrupulous collection activities of the state. Other states have allowed their Department of Revenue write their legal policies and procedures when it comes to dealing with the state’s taxpayers. Some of these Bills of Rights are good, and frankly, some of them are, in my opinion, a downright insult to taxpayers. States, when dealing with the issue of our taxpayer rights, should deal with the single issue alone in a professional and non-condescending manner.

Washington begins their taxpayer rights and responsibility section by stating, “Whether you are a business owner, homeowner, nonprofit organization, or individual consumer, you are also a Washington State taxpayer with specific rights and responsibilities. As a taxpayer, it is important to understand the laws regarding your rights and your responsibilities. By understanding your responsibilities, you can better comply with your tax obligations and avoid mistakes. By understanding your rights, you will be

able to ensure that they are upheld. This brochure will help you learn about both, and the many taxpayer services” To the WDOR’s credit, they do not try to pass their rights and responsibility brochure off as some kind of Taxpayer’s Bill or Rights. It is a whole lot more than just a legislative bill passed as your taxpayer rights. Nevertheless, here is a quick list of the taxpayer rights they do include in the brochure. You have the right to:

• a simple and prompt administrative process for tax refunds and credits.
• timely, fair and equitable treatment with dignity and respect.
• accurate written information on reporting instructions, appeal procedures, refund claims and reasons for assessment.
• public hearings on proposed rules.
• remedies when statutes and rules are found to be unconstitutional.
• Confidentiality of financial and business information.

The list of rights in the brochure is not conclusive by any stretch of the imagination, and yes, the WDOR made it plain to me with what they included about responsibilities that death and taxes are imminent. They told me it was my responsibility to imminently pay my taxes. What I am most disappointed about the WDOR brochure is that it did not cover one of the primary and most important rights you enjoy, the right to be represented before the taxing entities. When dealing with federal authorities, you have that right. As listed on the Internal Revenue Service Website, you, as a United States taxpayer have the right to:

• be treated professionally, fairly, promptly, and courteously by IRS employees and Private Collection Agencies contacting you on behalf of the IRS;
• disagree with your tax bill;
• meet with an IRS manager if you disagree with the IRS employee who handled your tax case;
• appeal most IRS collection actions;
• have your case transferred to a different IRS office if you have a valid reason;
• be represented by someone when dealing with IRS matters; and receive a receipt for any payments you make.

Not all things will go right for every taxpayer faced with being audited, so, it is a good idea that you have a tax attorney to represent you. If you live in or around the area of Tacoma, Washington, and you have been faced with a taxing dilemma, contact us today so that we can help you find a tax lawyer in your area who will be able to help you answer all the questions you may have about tax law.

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Your Columbus property may need protecting if the Internal Revenue Service plans a Federal Tax Lien for you.  The Internal Revenue Service pressures taxpayers into paying overdue taxes with these powerful Liens. Whether you agree with the Lien amount or not, choose your next steps carefully; much is at stake. Continue reading to learn how Liens work and how a Columbus Tax Law Attorney can help you.

You will receive written notice of the following, once the Internal Revenue Service attaches a Federal Tax Lien to your property:

• The property address against which the Federal Tax Lien is filed;
• The Lien amount;
• The county in which the Lien is recorded; and
• Contact information for the Internal Revenue Service.

Why a Lien?

After filing the Federal Tax Lien, the Internal Revenue Service becomes first in line—before you and even your mortgage company, if any—to collect from your property sale proceeds, whether you sell in one year or twenty. They legally will take as much as needed to pay-off your Lien. You lose your right to decide how to use your property sale proceeds because of the Lien.

Hidden Dangers

Liens present pitfalls many Columbus taxpayers never realize until it is too late. Consider your:

• Home’s Value: Like many Ohioans, your home’s value may be worth less today; selling it may not yield enough to pay-off your Lien and then your mortgage, if any. And you may not have enough for a down payment on your next home. Federal Tax Liens can rob you of your greatest financial asset: your home.

• Career Options: If you receive a better paying job offer, accepting it may cost you if it requires you to move. Remember that once you sell your home, the Internal Revenue Service controls your sale proceeds to pay-off your Lien. You could be left without enough to pay-off your current mortgage, afford your next home’s down payment or even pay basic moving expenses or an apartment deposit. Federal Tax Liens can rob you of a better paying job.

• Funding Your Retirement: As you consider retirement, you may think about downsizing to a smaller home and using your equity to help fund your retirement expenses. Except that with the Lien in force, the Internal Revenue Service will take your equity to clear your Lien. You may need to reconsider your retirement funding. Federal Tax Liens can rob you of your retirement plans.

• Credit Score: Your credit score can determine which credit offers you receive, the interest rates you pay, and whether you are offered certain jobs or insurance. Equifax, TransUnion and Experian may lower your score as they learn about your Lien. Federal Tax Liens can rob you of many financial opportunities, at great personal cost.

Lien Removal

Your best first step is to begin by contacting a Columbus Tax Law Attorney for advice and options. If you are entertaining ideas about attempting to remove the Lien yourself, consider these important issues:

• Your Insider Access: The Internal Revenue Service often accepts small payments as payment in full on Federal Tax Liens, if such an agreement has been reached in advance. Did they tell you about this? Probably not, because they want to collect as much as possible from you. What else do you not know?

• Your Track Record: Since you were unsuccessful on your own in preventing the Lien from being filed, how can you expect to be successful in removing it by yourself?

• Your Expertise: How vast is your knowledge of Internal Revenue Service rules and practices? How many Federal Tax Liens have you already removed?

Your goal of protecting your family’s financial security couldn’t be more different from the Internal Revenue Service’s goal of collecting as much money as possible.

Even prior experience fighting belligerent creditors or aggressive litigants may not equip you to fight a Federal Tax Lien. Remember, fighting the Internal Revenue Service equates to fighting the United States Federal Government, with all of its vast resources.

Make it a fairer fight. Contact a Columbus Tax Law attorney. Find someone who cares about your goals.

Need Help with your Unpaid Taxes?

Complete the Free Tax Case Evaluation form below and an experienced Tax Professional will contact you to discuss your situation. Don't Wait -- Get Help Today!

Are you facing a Federal Tax Lien on your Cincinnati property? Federal Tax Liens are serious legal instruments used by the Internal Revenue Service to collect delinquent taxes. Right now, you may be fearful, confused or even enraged. But your actions today will have a dramatic impact on your future. Continue reading to learn about the dangers these Liens pose and the advantages of contacting a Cincinnati Tax Law Attorney.

Once the Internal Revenue Service files a Federal Tax Lien against your property, you will receive written notice of:

• The property address against which the Federal Tax Lien is filed;
• The Lien amount;
• The county in which the Lien is recorded; and
• Contact information for the Internal Revenue Service.

How Do Federal Tax Work?

Despite their urgent calls and letters to you, the Internal Revenue Service is patient. Once they file the Federal Tax Lien, they wait as long as it takes for you to sell your property. The Lien stays in place until you or even your heirs finally sell. At that time, the Internal Revenue Service will be there to take as much profit from your home sale as needed to pay off your Lien. They take funds before you or even your mortgage company, if any, can take anything. Even as the property owner, your right to determine how to spend your own home sale profits is taken from you.

Taxpayers often do not understand the many ways Federal Tax Liens can harm them. Consider your:

• Relocation Options: Does a higher paying job appear to be your best option to pay down all your debts, including your Lien? If this dream job requires you to move, you might not be able to afford it. After selling, the Internal Revenue Service will take from your profits to clear your Lien; you could be left unable to afford a down payment on your next home, or even moving expenses and an apartment deposit. Federal Tax Liens can determine the next job you take.

• Retirement Plans: Would your home’s equity help with your retirement plans? When you someday sell to collect that equity, the Internal Revenue Service has first rights to it; after they take what they want to clear your Lien, you could be left broke. Federal Tax Liens can ruin your retirement plans.

• Home Value: If your home’s value has diminished lately, selling it may not completely remove your Federal Tax Lien. Imagine selling your home and not making enough to remove your Federal Tax Lien and pay-off your mortgage, if any. Worse still, you may have nothing left for a down payment on another home. Federal Tax Liens can erase all the financial progress you have made up until now.
• Credit Score: Your credit score may nosedive once Experian, Equifax and TransUnion learn about your Lien. Higher interest rates could await you, as well as the withdrawal of credit, insurance or employment offers. Federal Tax Liens can wreck the creditworthiness you built over a lifetime.

Help Me Clear This Federal Tax Lien

A Cincinnati Tax Law Attorney can help you. Plan to do this alone? Consider these questions:

• How much do you really know about Internal Revenue Service code and procedures? How many Federal Tax Liens have you personally cleared?

• If you did not stop the Lien from being filed yourself, can you really remove it yourself without endangering your financial future?

• Often the Internal Revenue Service credits small payments as payment in full on Federal Tax Liens, if such a settlement has been negotiated. They probably did not tell you that, did they?

• The Internal Revenue Service looks out for its own interests. Who looks out for your interests?

Prior run-ins with aggressive creditors or even ill-tempered litigants may not equip you to battle against a Federal Tax Lien. Battling the Internal Revenue Service means battling the United States Federal Government, in its vast reach and powers. Battling them alone is naïve and risky.

Take bold, wise actions today.  Contact a Cincinnati Tax Law attorney. Get someone who will look out for your interests.

Need Help with your Unpaid Taxes?

Complete the Free Tax Case Evaluation form below and an experienced Tax Professional will contact you to discuss your situation. Don't Wait -- Get Help Today!