IRS Collection Process

If you do not pay in full when you file, you will receive a bill from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This bill begins the collection process, which continues through alternative payment options and ends when your account is satisfied. As an international tax attorney, I try to provide not only good information on this website, but I also help my clients resolve tax problems that they may have with the IRS or Utah State Tax Commission.

The first bill you receive will explain the reason for your balance due and require payment in full. It will include the tax due plus penalties and interest that are added to your unpaid balance from the due date. You can pay this bill over the phone or by sending the IRS a check or money order payable to United States Treasury.

If you cannot pay the balance in full, you should pay as much as you can with the notice. The unpaid balance is subject to interest which is compounded daily and a monthly late payment penalty. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to pay your tax liability in full as soon as you can. You might also want to consider a cash advance on your credit card or a bank loan. The interest rate your credit card issuer or bank charges may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. It may also keep your tax debt from negatively affecting your credit rating.

If you’re unable to pay your balance in full, the IRS may be able to offer an individual payment plan with monthly installments. However, if all payment options have been considered and it’s determined that you don’t qualify for an installment agreement, you can also file an offer in compromise. This is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that resolves the taxpayer’s tax liability. The IRS has the authority to settle, or compromise, federal tax liabilities by accepting less than full payment under certain circumstances.

When you contact the IRS, you should be prepared to discuss your basic income and expense information. To prepare, gather together all of your information about your income, assets and necessary living expenses, such as your most recent pay stubs, rent or mortgage payment amounts, transportation expenses, etc. This will allow the IRS to assist you most effectively.

It’s important to contact IRS and make arrangements to pay the tax due voluntarily. If you do not take some action to pay your tax bill or contact the IRS to make arrangements to settle the account, the IRS may take collection actions to secure payment. They can file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien; they can serve a Notice of Levy (which means take your money or property without further notice); and they can offset a refund.

By filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, the government establishes its interest in your property as a creditor. The lien is a claim against your property, including property that you acquire after a lien is filed. The lien is required by law to establish priority as a creditor in competition with other creditors in certain situations, such as bankruptcy proceedings or sales of real estate. Once a lien is filed, it may appear on your credit report and harm your credit rating. Once a lien is filed, the IRS generally cannot issue a “Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien” until the taxes, penalties, interest, and recording fees are paid in full.

A Notice of Levy is another collection method in which the IRS can, by legal authority, confiscate (take) and sell property to satisfy a tax debt. This could include your wages, bank accounts, Social Security benefits, and retirement income. If your tax liability remains unpaid, the IRS can also levy assets such as your car, boat, or real estate.

In addition, when you have an outstanding tax liability, any future federal tax refunds that you are due will be offset by the amount you owe. Any state income tax refunds you are due may also be levied, and the proceeds applied to your liability.

IRS Collection Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help because the IRS is coming to collect from you, please call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael Anderson

People who want a lot of Bull go to a Butcher. People who want results navigating a complex legal field go to a Lawyer that they can trust. That’s where I come in. I am Michael Anderson, an Attorney in the Salt Lake area focusing on the needs of the Average Joe wanting a better life for him and his family. I’m the Lawyer you can trust. I grew up in Utah and love it here. I am a Father to three, a Husband to one, and an Entrepreneur. I understand the feelings of joy each of those roles bring, and I understand the feeling of disappointment, fear, and regret when things go wrong. I attended the University of Utah where I received a B.A. degree in 2010 and a J.D. in 2014. I have focused my practice in Wills, Trusts, Real Estate, and Business Law. I love the thrill of helping clients secure their future, leaving a real legacy to their children. Unfortunately when problems arise with families. I also practice Family Law, with a focus on keeping relationships between the soon to be Ex’s civil for the benefit of their children and allowing both to walk away quickly with their heads held high. Before you worry too much about losing everything that you have worked for, before you permit yourself to be bullied by your soon to be ex, before you shed one more tear in silence, call me. I’m the Lawyer you can trust.

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