Understand the Tax Problem Before Choosing a Path
Start with the issue, then review notices, risks, options, and when professional help makes sense.
Back Taxes
Unfiled or unpaid tax balances from prior years can lead to notices, penalties, liens, levies, and enforced collection.
IRS Tax Debt
IRS debt can involve individual income taxes, business taxes, penalties, and collection action after assessed balances remain unpaid.
Wage Garnishment
A wage garnishment can require an employer to send part of your paycheck to the IRS or a state tax agency.
Bank Levy
A bank levy can freeze account funds and may lead to seizure after required notices and collection steps.
Tax Lien
A tax lien is the government's legal claim against property when a tax debt is not paid.
Penalties and Interest
Tax penalties and interest can grow quickly when returns are late, payments are missed, or payroll taxes are unpaid.
Late Tax Returns
Late or missing tax returns can trigger substitute returns, inflated balances, and enforcement.
Payroll Tax Debt
Unpaid payroll taxes are treated seriously because they include withheld employee funds and can create business and personal exposure.
Offer in Compromise
An offer in compromise may allow eligible taxpayers to settle for less than the full balance when the IRS determines the offer reflects ability to pay.
Installment Agreement
An installment agreement allows a tax balance to be paid over time when immediate full payment is not realistic.
State Tax Debt
State tax agencies can use payment demands, liens, levies, refund offsets, and business enforcement when balances remain unpaid.
Unfiled Tax Returns
Missing returns can block IRS resolution options and may lead to substitute returns or inflated balances.
Tax Liens
A tax lien can affect property, financing, and public records when a federal or state tax debt is not resolved.
Tax Levies
A tax levy is enforced collection against wages, bank accounts, receivables, or other property.
IRS Audit
An audit asks the taxpayer to prove items reported on a return. Deadlines and records matter.
Trust Fund Recovery Penalty
The trust fund recovery penalty can create personal exposure for responsible people connected to unpaid payroll taxes.
Business Tax Debt
Business tax debt can involve income tax, payroll tax, sales tax, withholding tax, and urgent cash-flow decisions.
Expat Tax Problems
U.S. citizens abroad may need to address late returns, foreign reporting, FBAR issues, IRS notices, and filing compliance.