How to Call the Irs Without Fear

I will help you to be able to call the IRS without fearIRS. The problem lies not in the fact that the IRS will
that they will take action against you. Do you wantuse it against them, it's the fact that taxpayers are
to be able to respond to the IRS letter that youunprepared to face the problem, and do what is
received? Do you want to call to resolve an ongoingnecessary to resolve their IRS issues. The more
issue you have with the IRS? Read further.prepared you are, the less exposure you have to
1. You must have a good general disposition- Neverbeing victimized. Let's look at a few situations...
complain to an IRS employee. They do not want toYou are concerned about paying the taxes you owe.
hear how sick you are, how poor you are, how badIt may be a good idea to fill out their form 433a
the government is, how your ex-partner orbefore calling the IRS 433b if necessary. Use their
ex-spouse ripped you off, how good you were toallowable expense tables. Using these forms and
pay most of the original portion of the taxes, or thetables will allow you to arrive at the information
recent flood in your house. When you call the IRS,needed to negotiate an installment agreement. You
stick with 'just the facts'. Think about why you aremay need your accountant to help you.b) You
calling, write it down, and be prepared for theirdisagree with the amount owed and want advice.
questions.You shouldn't be calling the IRS for advice in the first
2. Maintain good rapport at all times- You should tryplace. The IRS website contains a lot of helpful
to make the IRS employee feel good to work withinformation at .or by doing internet searches for your
you, regardless of their attitude. You must havetopic.c) You're calling to schedule or get an extension
unlimited patience at all times. What if you wereof appointment. Make sure you have a good excise
asked to recite your full address, and then twofor the extension, and don't discuss the arguments
minutes later you were asked 'what is your completeyou have. If they insist, then say you are not
address?'. Would you blurt out - you just asked meprepared right now and will be happy call back after
that!' with an angry tone? Or would you calmly say 'Iyou have your information prepared. Don't be
gave that to you, here it is again'? How willing wouldintimidated into giving unprepared responses.
you be to give the address the third time? Working4. Use your bag of tricks- If you need to resolve
for the IRS can be a very confusing and difficult job.something and have trouble ask for the manager. If
You will get a lot further by accepting their behavior,that doesn't work, you can call the taxpayer
and not arguing or getting upset with them. If at anyadvocate service. Before calling, familiarize your self
time you feel uncomfortable in the conversation, youwith the taxpayer advocate at . This is your
can always say that you can't talk right now, andstrongest weapon. If you feel the IRS is about to
hang up.take collection action against you before you have
3. Be prepared to answer personal questions- You willtime to resolve the situation, and you can't get an
be asked to give them personal information such as,extension, you could file a collection appeal. Familiarize
where you live, bank, work, telephone numbers, bankyourself with
account numbers, and addresses. If you are notSo let's recap.... First you have a good general
calling to settle an outstanding balance, you can givedisposition, then you make sure you maintain a good
them the information so that they can verify whoreport. You feel comfortable and secure knowing
you are, and proceed with the conversation. If youthat if you are not happy you can hang up, and you
do have an outstanding balance, even if you think it'sdon't have to feel intimidated to answer questions
an IRS error, be very careful here. The informationyou don't want to. You have done your research into
can be used against you to collect the tax liability. Sohow you will pay the liability, or otherwise resolve to
what do you do? Give it to them! "What!" you say?matter at hand. You are prepared to have the
'You don't need me to tell you that!' Actually, perhapsmanager help, or if not, use appeals and/or the
you do. After many years and thousands of taxtaxpayer advocate service as needed.
representation cases, I've concluded that this is theI realize that all this may be easier said than done.
biggest fear my clients have had about calling the