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Frequently Asked
Questions

When Things Feel Urgent - Quick Answers Matter

At Tax Fighters Inc., we’ve seen it all and know how quickly issues can spiral into stress and a constant sense of pressure. That’s why we believe clarity should come just as quickly.

This page is designed to give you clear answers to the most common tax resolution questions. 

And if your situation goes beyond that, we’re always just one call or email away. 

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General Questions

What is tax resolution?

Tax resolution is the process of working with the IRS or state tax authorities to resolve outstanding tax issues. This can include reducing or settling tax debt, removing penalties, stopping collection actions, or setting up manageable payment plans, as well as responding to IRS notices and negotiating directly with tax authorities on your behalf.

Yes – tax laws are complex, and the IRS and state tax authorities can be aggressive. Having a tax resolution expert ensures your rights are protected and that you get the best possible outcome, while helping you avoid costly mistakes that could increase your tax debt, penalties, or interest.

We work with individuals, small business owners, self-employed professionals, and corporations who are facing IRS or state tax issues – from back taxes and unfiled tax returns to audits, wage garnishments, tax liens, and bank levies. Click the link to view the full list of Our Services. 

No – we serve clients nationwide. Wherever you’re located, we can help resolve your IRS or state tax issues.

We help with a wide range of issues, including Unfiled Tax Returns, IRS Collections, Tax Liens, Wage Garnishments, IRS Audits, Bank Levies, IRS Notices, Payroll Tax Problems, Penalties and Interest, Tax Debt, Installment Agreement Defaults, and Innocent Spouse Relief. Click here to view our full list of Our Services.

No. Tax Fighters Inc. focuses exclusively on civil tax matters before the IRS and state tax authorities. If your situation involves a criminal tax investigation, criminal tax charges, or requires representation in court, you should work with a qualified tax attorney. If you’re unsure whether your case is civil or criminal, we’re happy to review your situation and point you in the right direction.

Yes – we work with tax agencies in all 50 states and understand the unique challenges each one presents, including state tax collections, payment plans, and tax debt resolution.

As a rule of thumb, you should have at least $20,000 in tax debt for it to make sense to hire a tax relief expert. Anything less is usually better handled by a tax accountant, since the fees for tax resolution work wouldn’t be cost-effective at a lower balance.

IRS Notices & Letters

I received an IRS notice. What should I do?

Don’t ignore it. Read the notice carefully and note any response deadline. Some IRS notices are informational, while others warn of collection actions such as wage garnishments, bank levies, or tax liens. We’ll review your notice, explain what it means, and determine the best course of action.

The IRS will usually send additional notices and continue moving your case through the collection process. Depending on the type of notice, they may eventually file a federal tax lien, garnish your wages, levy your bank account, or seize other assets. Meanwhile, penalties and interest continue to add to what you owe every single day. We’ll determine where you are in the process and what action is still available to stop it from escalating.

Every IRS notice deserves attention, but some require immediate action. LT11, CP90, and Letter 1058 are Final Notices of Intent to Levy and start a 30-day clock. You generally have 30 days to pay, make arrangements, or request a Collection Due Process hearing before the IRS can move forward with levy action. We’ll explain your notice in plain English and help you understand your options.

A CP504 is an Intent to Levy notice and means your tax problem is escalating, but broader collection action is generally not imminent yet. Before the IRS can levy most assets, it must send a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, such as LT11, CP90, or Letter 1058, which starts the 30-day period to respond. A CP504 is your warning that it’s time to act before the situation reaches that stage.

Every IRS notice has its own deadline. Missing it may reduce your options or allow the IRS to move forward with collection actions. We’ll review your notice, explain the timeline, and help you respond before the deadline.

Yes. We review IRS notices every day. We’ll explain what the notice means, obtain your IRS transcripts if needed, communicate directly with the IRS on your behalf, and work toward the best possible resolution.

We assist clients with virtually every type of IRS notice, including LT11, CP90, CP504, Letter 1058, CP14, CP501, CP503, CP2000, and many others (see glossary). If you’ve received an IRS notice that’s not listed here, contact us. We’ll explain what it means and what to do next.

High Stress Situations

Can you stop an IRS wage garnishment or frozen bank account?

Yes, but time is critical. If enforcement is already underway, we act quickly to request holds, negotiate status changes (such as Currently Not Collectible), or file for formal resolution options to stop the damage or file for formal resolution options to stop the damage.

You’re not alone, and it’s not too late. We’ve helped many clients who hadn’t filed in many years. We know how to rebuild compliance and negotiate a fresh start, even if you’ve received multiple IRS notices or years of unpaid tax bills.

Tax Liens can affect both. We work to remove or subordinate liens when needed, helping protect your financial future and giving you room to move forward with refinancing, selling, or purchasing property.

Don’t worry. We can get you back on track by reconstructing your financial history and preparing and filing your delinquent tax returns. In most cases, the IRS considers the last six years of filed returns sufficient to bring you back into filing compliance. We’ll also work to minimize additional penalties and interest whenever possible.

Results & Expectations

What is the IRS Fresh Start Program?

The IRS Fresh Start Program isn’t one single tax relief program. It’s a collection of IRS tax debt relief options designed to make it easier for qualifying taxpayers to resolve tax debt and get back into compliance. Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for an Installment Agreement, Partial Payment Installment Agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status. We’ll evaluate your situation to determine whether you qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program, which options are available to you, and which one offers the best path toward resolving your tax debt.

In some cases, yes –  through a program such as an  Offer in Compromise (OIC), Partial Pay Installment Agreements (PPIA), and Currently Not Collectible (CNC), which may result in you paying a lower amount than owed. We’ll evaluate your eligibility and recommend the best approach.

The IRS doesn’t report directly to credit bureaus, but Liens and other public records might impact your credit. Resolving your tax debt often helps improve your financial standing over time.

Yes – in many cases, we can negotiate with the IRS to pause or release Wage Garnishments and Bank Levies while we work toward a resolution.

We’ll work with you not only to resolve your current tax issues but also to help you stay compliant going forward by understanding your ongoing tax filing and payment responsibilities.

While no one can guarantee specific IRS outcomes, we can promise to fight for the best solution allowed under the law and be transparent about what to expect through the tax resolution process.

The IRS does not simply forgive tax debt because you can’t afford to pay it. However, depending on your financial situation, there are IRS programs that may allow you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed, temporarily delay collection efforts, or establish an affordable monthly payment plan. We’ll evaluate your eligibility for programs such as an Offer in Compromise (OIC), Partial Pay Installment Agreement (PPIA), or Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, and recommend the solution that offers the best possible outcome for your situation.

Does IRS tax debt expire after 10 years?

In general, the IRS has 10 years from the date a tax liability is assessed to collect the debt. This deadline is known as the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). Once the CSED expires, the IRS can generally no longer collect the remaining balance. However, certain events can pause or extend the 10-year collection period, so determining your actual CSED is an important part of evaluating your tax resolution options.

Our Process

What happens after you submit a form?

The next step is to schedule an appointment for a confidential, no-obligation consultation where you can share your story and we can learn about your situation. From there, we’ll walk you through the options that may be available to you, explain the tax resolution process, and give you a clear idea of the fees involved.

We begin with a $1,500 non-refundable flat fee, which covers pulling your IRS and state transcripts and conducting an in-depth evaluation of your situation. To get started, you’ll sign a Power of Attorney (IRS Form 2848 or similar for the state), and an engagement letter that allows us to access the information we need and evaluate your case.

 

Once we’ve completed our review, we’ll explain what we found, what your options are, and which path we believe makes the most sense for you. If your situation is fairly simple and something you can handle on your own, we’ll tell you.

 

If we believe professional tax resolution is the right next step, you’ll receive a contract clearly outlining the resolution services we’ll provide on your behalf, along with the associated fees. We won’t take on your case or charge you for tax resolution services unless we’re confident we can make a meaningful difference.

Yes, once you’ve signed the tax resolution contract, we’ll communicate and negotiate directly with the IRS on your behalf, respond to notices, and handle the process so you don’t have to deal with the IRS on your own.

It depends on your situation, but most cases take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Complex cases or those involving audits or appeals may take longer, but we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

No. While we’re happy to meet face-to-face if you’re local, we work with clients nationwide and can handle everything via phone, email, and secure document portals.

Yes. All your information is kept secure and confidential, with sensitive documents exchanged through our secure client portal. We understand how personal tax matters can be, and we treat every client with respect and discretion throughout the entire tax resolution process.

To evaluate your situation, we’ll typically ask for any IRS or state tax notices you’ve received, copies of your most recent tax returns (if available), financial information such as your income, assets, and expenses, and any previous correspondence or agreements with the IRS or your state tax authority. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. As part of our evaluation, we can obtain your IRS transcripts and other tax records to build a complete picture of your case. 

Payment & Fees

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. Our first conversation  –  your initial consultation  –  is completely free and confidential, with no pressure and no obligation to move forward if it’s not the right fit. We’ll also be upfront with you about whether we can help.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case. We start with a $1,500 flat fee to pull transcripts and conduct an in-depth evaluation of your situation. From there, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps, explain what the tax resolution will cost, and, if you’re comfortable moving forward, you’ll sign a contract for those services. There are no hidden fees, and we’ll explain all costs before any additional work begins.

You can pay by check, credit card, ACH, Venmo, or Zelle.

Yes. We’re happy to work with you on an affordable payment plan that fits your situation. To make it easy, we’ll simply keep your ACH or credit card information on file and charge you on the agreed-upon dates. Our goal is to make professional tax resolution as accessible and affordable as possible.

Whether tax resolution fees are tax-deductible depends on your individual circumstances and whether your tax matter is personal or business-related. In general, fees related to personal tax resolution are not tax-deductible, while certain business-related tax services may qualify as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Because every situation is different, we recommend discussing your specific circumstances with your tax advisor before claiming a deduction.

Tax Resolution Myths

Myth: The IRS will put you in jail if you owe back taxes.

Can the IRS put me in jail for owing back taxes? No. Simply owing taxes is not a crime. Criminal charges generally involve tax fraud or tax evasion, not an inability to pay taxes owed.

What happens if I ignore an IRS notice? The IRS will continue the collection process, sending additional notices and potentially taking actions such as filing a tax lien, garnishing wages, or levying your bank account. Meanwhile, penalties and interest continue to add to what you owe every single day.

Should I file my tax return if I can’t afford to pay? Yes. Filing your return on time can help reduce penalties and give you more tax resolution options than failing to file altogether.

Does a tax extension give me more time to pay? No. An extension gives you more time to file your tax return, not more time to pay the taxes you owe. Penalties and interest may still apply to unpaid balances.

Can an IRS wage garnishment be stopped? In many cases, yes. Depending on your situation, there may be options to stop or reduce wage garnishments through IRS tax resolution programs.

Can I settle my tax debt for less than I owe? Sometimes. The IRS offers programs for qualifying taxpayers, but not everyone is eligible. The right solution depends on your financial situation and the type of tax debt.

Is it too late to file years of unfiled tax returns? No. It’s rarely too late to get back into compliance. Filing overdue returns is often the first step toward resolving your tax debt and moving forward.

You Deserve Peace of Mind

We’re here to help you sleep again.