Email From Customer

Jay,

I want to thank you for the work you did for me.  I called you with only three hours to spare before my payroll was run and a garnishment would have been in effect, leaving me with about $180 per week income.  You stopped whatever you were working on and made me a priority and you had the garnishment released with an hour to spare.  At the same time, you took the time to get my facts and succinctly size up the situation for me.  While I was in a panic state of mind and stressed over the worst possible scenario, you managed a balance between calm and urgent, and put first things first.  You took care of the immediate crisis of being in collections; the garnishment and then moved on to the bank levy before it was enforced in the next few days.  Then when that immediate heat was off, you clearly explained the options for getting out of debt with the IRS.  I really appreciate your ability to clearly and patiently make me understand the processes, possibilities and probabilities to end this nightmare.

You wouldn't believe if you were able to review my file at the IRS.  Over many years, I have paid two different 'Tax Resolvers", and tried multiple times to work directly with the IRS myself.  All with no real results. You were able to make getting out of debt with the IRS seem like a real possibility.

Your fee has been reasonable and I would strongly recommend you to anyone that I know with IRS challenges. I look forward to continue working with you to finally end this.

Best Regards,
Camille., Phoenix, AZ 

Chicago Tribune Article

Here's an article I was interviewed for in the Chicago Tribune. Unfortunately, they quoted me as from "Nationwide Tax Relief!" I have no affiliation with that company! They aren't a very good company either.

Here it is:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/may/24/business/chi-ym-taxes-0524may24

Tax Resolution Companies - Dead Ones and Bad Ones

One of my hobbies is monitoring fly-by-night Tax Resolution Companies (particularly those based in California).

Here is a list of the recently deceased:

1. Strategic Tax - San Diego - out of business in the fall/winter of 2008.
2. Traveler's Tax - Los Angeles - I think out of business a long time ago.
3. Capitol Tax Relief - Los Angeles - " "
4. Innovative Tax Relief - Los Angeles, founded 6/04, 83 complaints - 3 years. (I think these guys are dead - web site is down).

Bad ones - still alive:

1. Associated Tax Relief - Los Angeles, founded 11/05, 129 complaints - 3 years. - changing their name to Authorized Tax Relief (due to BBB complaints).
2. American Tax Relief - Los Angeles, founded 4/99, 148 complaints - 3 years.
3. Progressive Tax Group - Bay Area, founded 1/07, 39 complaints - 2 years.
4. Power Tax Relief - Los Angeles, founded 11/05, 67 complaints - 3 years.
5. Instant Tax Resolution - run out of some guy's bedroom.

Interesting observation - The contact for Innovative - James Phan, Attorney is the same as Progressive Tax Group - which has me suspect - is that Phan closed Innovative and moved to the Bay Area and started Progressive Tax Group.

** complaints from bbb.com

Letter from Prospective Client - Re: Other Tax Relief Companies

Hi Jay,

We actually spoke a couple of days ago. My name is Ms. C. You advised me that based on what I shared with you, I should agree with the $409 installment plan the IRS offered and contact you in February to see if we can abate the penalties and interest on the back taxes for 2008 and to check to see if I owe for 2009.

I had called other Tax Relief programs and they all seemed to want me to sign up for their services right away paying a few thousands dollars for their services with no guarantee of the IRS accepting an Offer of Compromise.

I really appreciate your honesty and agree with your advice. I will contact you in February 2010.

Thanks -

Ms. C.

Issues for Non-Filers of Many Years

We see it everyday here at Washington Tax Services: customers who don't file because 1. They lost their info. 2. Their ex-wife ran away with the documents. 3. They owed money and so didn't file because of fear of the repercussions. 4. Their accountant died - and the docs were shredded. 4. They were alcoholics or drug addicts and tax compliance was at the bottom of their priority list.

There are numerous reasons for not filing your tax returns. It is safe to say that the longer you avoid the issue the harder it is to break out of it.

People in this situation contact us thru two motivations:

1. Their conscience and/or will breaks their procrastination.
2. The IRS breaks their delay tactics for them - by filing the returns for them and in some cases appointing a Revenue Officer to pursue the debt and the returns.

If you lost your records, there are two things to know:

1. All docs, W2s, 1099's, etc. can be recovered from the IRS up to the year 2000 (may change soon to 2001).
2. If you can't locate your bank statements, etc. for your business expenses, you may use your best year of bookkeeping as a template for other years.

Call me at 1-866-525-7302 for details. Jay Freeborne, Enrolled Agent, Washington Tax Services.

Levy Release - Art or Science?

One thing I've learned in my negotiating of levy releases....Make sure all of your ducks are in a row - before asking for the magic bank levy release -

the ducks -

1. Tax Returns filed and/or faxed to IRS Collections.
2. Plausible Explanation for need for levy release - a. funeral costs for deceased b. rent payment.
3. A promise of full payment or an installment agreement to resolve the case.

Here's what Happens to Bad Tax Professionals...

Copy this link in your browser:

http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=206227,00.html

They get disbarred! I am glad the IRS is more aggressively monitoring rip-off tax resolution companies.