Protection of our clients is job #1

The IRS is the world's largest and most powerful collection agency. Therefore it's no surprise that receiving an IRS levy or wage garnishment can be a very frightening time. Our team of tax professionals work fast to protect you. We immediately declare representation by filing a Power of Attorney for each new client. After our Power of Attorney is filed the IRS cannot deal with you directly. Tax Lifeboat is seen as the face of the taxpayer and stands in between you and the IRS.

For those clients who have waited a bit long to hire Tax Lifeboat, our team works with the appropriate tax offices to negotiate the release of any bank levies or wage garnishments as quickly as possible. The most common collection tactics of the IRS are:

1. Wage Garnishments
2. Bank Levies
3. Property Seizures
4. Tax Liens

We know how emotional and damaging it is when the IRS drains a bank account or garnishes a paycheck. We work hard to protect each client which also gives our resolution team the time needed to negotiate the most attractive tax debt resolution possible. We act as your IRS shield from the day you hire Tax Lifeboat until the day we resolve your tax problem.

"Our protection keeps you in a "safe harbor," reducing your stress and protecting your assets."

The IRS "Offer in Compromise" (OIC) program allows a taxpayer who qualifies an opportunity to settle delinquent taxes for LESS than the total amount owed.

Personal, business and even payroll taxes can be included in the OIC program, but is not an instant giveaway. Our tax experts must prove (in some cases several times over several months) that it is within the IRS' best interest to settle a tax debt for less than the taxpayer owes.

The OIC process requires:

* Formal written procedures.
* Repeated submission of intricate financial questionnaires.
* Several rounds of negotiations.

Our team of tax professionals are versed in all the latest OIC administrative procedures and the regularly changing OIC guidelines. Although the OIC program is not for everyone, some taxpayers see their IRS debts reduced by 50% to 90% through this program. Restrictions apply and individual results vary. Call Tax Lifeboat today to see if you are a good candidate for the OIC program.

"Beware companies that make OIC's sound easy and promise the moon."

The IRS assesses penalties automatically when one fails to file or pay their taxes on time. IRS penalties and interest compound quickly and often make up the bulk of an unmanageable tax problem. In fact many who owe back taxes have penalties and interest that exceed the actual tax due.

However, if it can be proven that you had "reasonable cause" for not filing or paying your taxes on time, the IRS can be petitioned to waive some or all of your penalties. The IRS allows ONE opportunity to abate penalties per qualifying circumstance and all cases must be supported with appropriate arguments and full supporting documentation. Therefore, it's fair to say that your first shot is often your ONLY shot at a successful penalty abatement.

Some situations where penalties can be waived or eradicated:

Serious Illness or Death - Unable to Obtain Records - Fire, Flood or Natural Disaster

If you owe a large amount of penalties to the IRS and have good reasons why you fell behind, you won't find a better team to fight for your rights to legally have your penalties removed than Tax Lifeboat.

"Hiring the right team the first time to is key to securing the best possible Penalty Abatement."

An IRS Installment Agreement is a payment arrangement whereby the government allows a taxpayer to pay liabilities over time. The IRS uses a complicated formula to set their terms and these guidelines favor the government's agenda to collect the total amount owed as quickly as possible. The IRS feels they are being very generous to allow back taxes to be paid over time and underestimating this fact can be dangerous.

Many try to set up their own installment agreement but due to inexperience or intimidation they fail to negotiate a payment plan that's livable. These payment plans are then doomed for default and those who fail to make a payment are dropped quickly into collections. Many complain that volunteering to pay down a tax debt only resulted in drained bank accounts and garnished paychecks.

Tax Life Boat's team of tax professionals are experts in setting up attractive installment agreements. We know the codes used by the IRS and how to position our clients for the best outcome. If you cannot pay your tax debt in full, the skilled negotiators at Tax Lifeboat will protect you from collection activity and secure the most attractive installment agreement possible.

"We won't let the IRS bully you into a payment plan you cannot afford."

Unfiled tax returns are one of the most common causes of a tax problem. Tax Lifeboat's master tax preparers are experts at preparing all types of Federal and State returns (Personal, Business, Corporate, Partnership, LLC, etc). As many of our clients have not filed their tax returns in 5 or even 10 years, we have particular expertise in preparing multiple delinquent returns. These intricate returns require more time and experience because they are reviewed with more scrutiny by the IRS and carry a higher risk of audit.

Most do not know that failing to file a tax return for three or more years is a federal offense. Owing the IRS back taxes is technically not against the law, but not filing your tax returns is illegal and the IRS will not begin negotiating to reduce or settle a tax debt until the taxpayer is fully in compliance by having any and all missing returns prepared and filed.

The constant updates in form requirements and changes in the tax laws makes staying on top of one's taxes an increasingly complex endeavor. At Tax Lifeboat we are experts in the prudent and assertive tax return preparation which also dovetails into the tax debt negotiation process. This synergy often makes the largest impact in successful settlements with the IRS.

"In many cases expert tax return preparation plays the largest single role in the forthcoming acceptance of an IRS settlement."

Few things in life can be as intimidating as an IRS audit.

The government can be stubborn if the suspect information on a personal or business tax return is incorrect, exaggerated or just pain false. Once the IRS authorizes an audit and invests their resources, they have all the motivation they need to collect the maximum amount.

We stand in between our clients and the IRS. Our audit team brings confidence and calm expertise to the situation. This is key as stress from an audit throws many taxpayers into making desperate and poor decisions. In addition, many local IRS auditors take matters personally, which creates an overzealousness to collect.

If you are facing an audit, without experts on your side you are simply outmatched. We take the issue off your plate and negotiate on your behalf. We represent and defend your rights, point by point throughout the entire examination. We assure the best possible outcome will be achieved.

"Stress from an IRS audit can create poor judgement and damage one's chances for an attractive settlement."