| I will help you to be able to call the IRS | | | | in the fact that the IRS will use it against |
| without fear that they will take action | | | | them, it's the fact that taxpayers are |
| against you. Do you want to be able to | | | | unprepared to face the problem, and do what |
| respond to the IRS letter that you received? | | | | is necessary to resolve their IRS issues. The |
| Do you want to call to resolve an ongoing | | | | more prepared you are, the less exposure you |
| issue you have with the IRS? Read further. | | | | have to being victimized. Let's look at a few |
| | | | situations... |
| 1. You must have a good general disposition- | | | | |
| Never complain to an IRS employee. They do | | | | You are concerned about paying the taxes you |
| not want to hear how sick you are, how poor | | | | owe. It may be a good idea to fill out their |
| you are, how bad the government is, how your | | | | form 433a before calling the IRS 433b if |
| ex-partner or ex-spouse ripped you off, how | | | | necessary. Use their allowable expense |
| good you were to pay most of the original | | | | tables. Using these forms and tables will |
| portion of the taxes, or the recent flood in | | | | allow you to arrive at the information needed |
| your house. When you call the IRS, stick | | | | to negotiate an installment agreement. You |
| with 'just the facts'. Think about why you | | | | may need your accountant to help you.b) You |
| are calling, write it down, and be prepared | | | | disagree with the amount owed and want |
| for their questions. | | | | advice. You shouldn't be calling the IRS for |
| | | | advice in the first place. The IRS website |
| 2. Maintain good rapport at all times- You | | | | contains a lot of helpful information at |
| should try to make the IRS employee feel good | | | | .or by doing internet searches for your |
| to work with you, regardless of their | | | | topic.c) You're calling to schedule or get an |
| attitude. You must have unlimited patience at | | | | extension of appointment. Make sure you have |
| all times. What if you were asked to recite | | | | a good excise for the extension, and don't |
| your full address, and then two minutes later | | | | discuss the arguments you have. If they |
| you were asked 'what is your complete | | | | insist, then say you are not prepared right |
| address?'. Would you blurt out - you just | | | | now and will be happy call back after you |
| asked me that!' with an angry tone? Or would | | | | have your information prepared. Don't be |
| you calmly say 'I gave that to you, here it | | | | intimidated into giving unprepared responses. |
| is again'? How willing would you be to give | | | | |
| the address the third time? Working for the | | | | 4. Use your bag of tricks- If you need to |
| IRS can be a very confusing and difficult | | | | resolve something and have trouble ask for |
| job. You will get a lot further by accepting | | | | the manager. If that doesn't work, you can |
| their behavior, and not arguing or getting | | | | call the taxpayer advocate service. Before |
| upset with them. If at any time you feel | | | | calling, familiarize your self with the |
| uncomfortable in the conversation, you can | | | | taxpayer advocate at . This is your |
| always say that you can't talk right now, and | | | | strongest weapon. If you feel the IRS is |
| hang up. | | | | about to take collection action against you |
| | | | before you have time to resolve the |
| 3. Be prepared to answer personal questions- | | | | situation, and you can't get an extension, |
| You will be asked to give them personal | | | | you could file a collection appeal. |
| information such as, where you live, bank, | | | | Familiarize yourself with |
| work, telephone numbers, bank account | | | | |
| numbers, and addresses. If you are not | | | | So let's recap.... First you have a good |
| calling to settle an outstanding balance, you | | | | general disposition, then you make sure you |
| can give them the information so that they | | | | maintain a good report. You feel comfortable |
| can verify who you are, and proceed with the | | | | and secure knowing that if you are not happy |
| conversation. If you do have an outstanding | | | | you can hang up, and you don't have to feel |
| balance, even if you think it's an IRS error, | | | | intimidated to answer questions you don't |
| be very careful here. The information can be | | | | want to. You have done your research into how |
| used against you to collect the tax | | | | you will pay the liability, or otherwise |
| liability. So what do you do? Give it to | | | | resolve to matter at hand. You are prepared |
| them! "What!" you say? 'You don't need me to | | | | to have the manager help, or if not, use |
| tell you that!' Actually, perhaps you do. | | | | appeals and/or the taxpayer advocate service |
| After many years and thousands of tax | | | | as needed. |
| representation cases, I've concluded that | | | | |
| this is the biggest fear my clients have had | | | | I realize that all this may be easier said |
| about calling the IRS. The problem lies not | | | | than done. |