What to Expect with Tax Resolution
At John Sterbick and Associates, many of our clients are eager to understand two key things when they come to us for tax relief: 1) Can we settle their debt for less than they owe? and 2) How long will it take to resolve their issues?
When you retain our firm to handle your tax matters, some aspects of relief will be immediate, while others will take time to fully unfold. Keep in mind that your IRS issues didn’t develop overnight, so the resolution process will also take time. However, the good news is that, generally, you won’t need to deal directly with the IRS while we represent you. On average, an Offer in Compromise (OIC) case can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months (or longer), depending on the amount of tax owed, the complexity of your case, and your specific circumstances.
Road Map to Resolution
1. Free Consultation
If you’re new to our firm, the first step is to schedule a consultation with us. During this initial meeting, one of our experienced tax resolution professionals—whether a CPA, attorney, or enrolled agent—will evaluate your situation and discuss all available options to resolve your tax issues. Typically, this consultation lasts about 30-45 minutes, but in some cases, additional information may be needed to determine the best course of action. It’s helpful to have all recent IRS notices and correspondence available during this first meeting so we can gather the necessary details. Our first step will be to obtain your IRS transcripts and Record of Account to assess all your settlement options.
2. Retaining Our Firm
After your consultation, if we determine that we’re a good fit to help resolve your case, you’ll have the opportunity to retain John Sterbick and Associates as your tax representative. You will need to sign an engagement letter and make financial arrangements to pay for our services. Once retained, we will file a power of attorney (POA) with the IRS on your behalf. This gives you immediate relief because, moving forward, the IRS will be required to communicate with us instead of you. If an IRS representative happens to contact you directly, simply provide our contact information and politely ask them to reach out to John Sterbick and Associates instead.
3. Beginning the Tax Resolution Process
Once retained, you will be assigned a case manager who will oversee your case. All of our case managers are licensed professionals, including attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents. They will work with you to develop a phased strategy for resolving your tax issue, advising you on the best course of action for a successful resolution. Your case manager is accessible by phone, email, or in person, and is supported by a team of experienced technical specialists who will be in regular contact with you throughout the process.
4. IRS Compliance
Before any settlement or negotiation can take place, you must be in full compliance with the IRS. This means that all past-due income tax returns need to be prepared and filed, and if applicable, you need to be up-to-date on quarterly estimated tax payments or withholding taxes at the correct rate if you’re a wage earner. Your case manager will guide you through this process, ensuring that you meet the necessary compliance requirements. If you’re missing the records needed to prepare your taxes, John Sterbick and Associates has developed methods, in accordance with IRS regulations, to quickly and efficiently complete and file your returns.
5. Your Responsibilities as a Client
Clients who successfully resolve their tax issues share a few key characteristics: they see the relationship with us as a collaborative partnership, view it as a “project” requiring cooperation, and follow through promptly with requests for information and documentation. Successful clients are communicative, returning calls and emails in a timely manner and staying in regular contact with our team throughout the resolution process.
6. Tax Settlement Negotiation
Once we have all the necessary documentation and are in compliance, we will propose a settlement plan to the IRS that’s both realistic and favorable for you. Our goal is to obtain the best possible settlement for you under the law. It’s important to understand that these proposals are rarely accepted immediately, but with diligence, persistence, and follow-up, our experienced team will monitor and negotiate your settlement, providing any additional information requested by the IRS until a resolution is achieved.
7. Reaching Tax Resolution
Once the IRS has accepted a settlement, we will carefully review the final resolution to ensure it aligns with what was agreed upon. If there are any discrepancies, we will insist that the IRS revise it accordingly. If the IRS is unwilling to make changes, we’ll explain your options and guide you through the next steps. Finally, we will provide you with a clear plan for maintaining your resolution and avoiding future tax problems.
At John Sterbick and Associates, we are committed to helping you resolve your tax issues with professionalism and expertise. If you’re facing tax debt or IRS problems, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your tax concerns.
