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