Feb 07 2010
How to Negotiate with IRS Representatives
Even if you don’t know someone who has had to sit down face to face with an IRS representative, the mere idea seems absolutely terrifying. No one wants to get audited, yet every year, millions of people lie on their taxes and end up having to go face to face with the big, bad Internal return Service. While there is no sure fire way to negotiate with IRS representatives, there are a few main things that you will want to keep in mind to assist make the complete process as painless as probable.
Don’t past the time
Even if the IRS is absolutely positive that you have cheated on your taxes, they are going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that it was all a big mistake. This benefit of the doubt will only last so long. If repeated mailings and phone calls go unanswered, you can’t imagine your meeting to go off smoothly. Yes, it is ddoable that you could be the perfect gentleman or lady and still get railroaded, but the chances of that happening are slim. Treat the IRS with respect and you have a much superior chance of receiving the same treatment in revisit.
Be sincere
Let’s face it, you’ve been caught with a major issue on your taxes. You have two choices at this point: keep up the lie that got you into this mess or come clean and chalk up the faulty return to a late night tax session. What some people forget is that when you sit down to negotiate with IRS representatives, you are doing so with someone who studies tax returns for a living. They have seen every cheat in the book and they have heard every line. You aren’t going to convince them that an obvious mistake is correct, no matter how savvy you think you are. Honesty really is the best policy.
Be respectful
While it is ddoable to get an IRS representative that is vindictive and enjoys putting the screws to people, chances are you are going to get someone like yourself, someone who considers this their job and who doesn’t want a confrontation. Be respectful and hospitable as promising to your guest and they will have one less reason to throw the book at you. Don’t be patronizing, yet, that will only make things worse, and whatever you do, don’t try to bribe them, either.
Don’t look forward to A Miracle
One mistake that many people make when they sit down to negotiate with IRS representatives is that they anticipate a miracle. Even an IRS agent has limited powers when it comes to what you owe and are lawfully obligated to pay. They can’t make thousands of dollars in debt simply evaporatwane, no matter what, so don’t be expecting some kind of phenomenal result. The paramount you can wish for is that they verify that your original structure is correct and any further fees and taxes are unwarranted. If you go into your meeting with your IRS representatives with open eyes, you will come out of it much happier.
Darrin T. Mish is a veteran, nationally recognized tax attorney who has focused on providing IRS help to taxpayers for over a decade. He regularly travels the country training other attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents on how to handle their toughest cases with the IRS. He is highly ranked among the top attorneys in the country, with an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a perfect 10 on Avvo.com. Martindale-Hubbell has also honored him with a listing in their Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He is a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and the Tax Freedom Institute. With clients on every continent but Antarctica, he has what it takes to solve your IRS problems no matter where you live in the world. If you would like more information about his practice and how he can help you, please call his office at (813) 229-7100 or toll free at 1-888-GET-MISH.
