statements enough to show the IRS how much I made?
January 22, 2009 by Tax Blog
Filed under Questions & Answers
I am self employed and deposit the money I make into my bank account as soon as it is received. Will my bank statements be suffient documentation to show the IRS how much I made last year? I was told I need to have a ledger or journal. What should I do?
How closely does the IRS monitor your bank accounts when you’re in Currently not collectible status?
January 22, 2009 by Tax Blog
Filed under Questions & Answers
My $50K back tax debt to the IRS has been classified as currently not collectible for the past two years. I recently won a Disability settlement from Social Security and received a check for 4 1/2 years of back SS Disability payments (FYI: I am no longer disabled and am now working part-time). What I wanna know is, can I open a new bank account (I don’t presently have one) and deposit the lump-sum SSA check without having some kind of alarm go off at IRS HQ which results in their hoovering that account dry the second it clears? I fully intend to use a big chunk of the money to work out some kind of payment or offer in comprimise plan with them, but I need to be able to use some of it for urgent medical, dental and other essential expenses (such as a good tax attorney) first. Any information and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Where possible, please cite references, regulations, IRS publications, etc. so I can make sure I have my facts straight.
FileYourTaxes.com
January 21, 2009 by Tax Blog
Filed under Federal Tax, Softwares, State Tax

FileYourTaxes.com is faster, convenient, contemporary and hassle-free alternative to filing your taxes the old-fashioned way.
- No installation of software is involved.
- Electronic filing (eFile) option - We eFile your taxes free if we construct them for a fee.
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- If you choose the Direct Deposit option, your refund will be deposited into your bank account with the speed of the electrons. Likewise, you may have your balance due amounts paid through Electronic Funds Withdrawal - Direct Debit .
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We eFile Federal Resident Individual Income Tax returns to all five Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Service Centers, as well as to the State of California Franchise Tax Board (FTB). The FTB filings are made to the Direct Filing Portal and the complete filing process is achieved in real time. Other filings are made in batch mode. Other Supported State income Tax Returns will be eFiled in a ‘piggy-back’ fashion, wrapped within the Federal package with or without the Federal filing. We also allow the “State Only” option for eFiling. We also provide hard-copy returns to you via U.S. Certified Mail (or other means) if you choose for us to do so, for an additional fee. We do not charge for the eFiling, customer service or your OnLine printing of returns that were constructed by us for a fee. There may also be other free services provided.
Supported Forms:
Federal Tax Forms Supported (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ…)
State Tax Forms Supported (So far only Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, MIssouri, New York, and Wisconsin are announced.)
Pricing:
Pricing Chart
Federal (base price) - $26.75
- Form W-2 and/or 1099Rs - First 3 are free, $1 for each after
- Additional Forms Subject To Fee
Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Schedule 3 Schedule A Schedule B Schedule C Schedule D Schedule E Schedule EIC Schedule F Schedule H Schedule R Schedule SE Form 982 Form 1116 Form 1310 Form 2106 Form 2120 Form 2441 Form 2555 Form 3903 Form 4136 Form 4137 Form 4562 Form 4684 Form 4797 Form 4952 Form 5074 Form 5329 Form 5695 Form 6251 Form 6252 Form 8283 Form 8296 Form 8582 Form 8606 Form 8812 Form 8824 Form 8829 Form 8862 Form 8863 Form 8880 Form 8888 Form 8889 Form 8901 Form 8903 Form 8917 Form 8919
State (base price) - $23.50
eFiling - FREE!
6 Months of OnLine Printing - FREE!
If you qualify for the California State Form 540-2EZ with our additional limitations (Total income less than $10,000 or $25,000 for those who have dependents and who are using the filing status Married Filing Joint, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower, as well as other limitations), as an industry partner to the California Franchise Tax Board, we will construct your return and eFile it for you at no charge!
Free federal tax preparation if your Adjusted Gross Income is $56,000 or less and you are aged 17 to 60 and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, TX, UT, VA, WA, or WI. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).
Reviews:
I would not recommend to anyone to use FileYourTaxes.com to prepare their tax return. There are many reasons not to use their service:
- Expensive price. The base price plus additional add-on costs just do not justify the quality of the product. Also beware of the additional costs if you need to use Schedule A, Schedule C, Schedule D, …
- Very poor software. Right off the bat I ran into a problem (see screenshot below) which forces me to abort and login again.

- Very confusing user interface. For example, once you click on the button to add a schedule or tax form, it’s been saved in your account. If you decide later on that you want to abort the tax form, you will need to follow this awkward message to remove it from your return.

Conclusion:
If if I were somehow to qualify for FREE E-File from FileYourTaxes.com, I would stay away from them.
Irs Tax Settlement: Could it Provide the Irs Tax Relief You Need?
The IRS is coming after you! You owe them money and can’t hope to ever pay the debt! The IRS has threatened to seize your bank account or garnish your paycheck! Everything seems hopeless and there doesn’t seem to be any doubt that the IRS is going to ruthlessly take everything of value that you have.
However, there are options to rolling over for the IRS. There are IRS tax relief solutions that can allow you to pay a single lesser amount as a settlement, or wipe out your IRS debt entirely. You should be cautioned that the IRS is loath to not collect your full debt. But if your situation is dire and you’re afraid that this debt will ruin you and your family, then you may be able to qualify for an IRS tax settlement.
How do you go about convincing the IRS that you shouldn’t or couldn’t pay the debt you owe them? How do you convince them they should give you and your debt special treatment? It isn’t easy, but the best option available to finding a solution to your tax debt may be to obtain the services of an IRS tax relief professional. If you are in over your head asking for help is probably your best bet. Tax relief professionals can provide the legal support and knowledge of the IRS bureaucracy you need to present your case to the IRS. They are positioned to be the most effective in obtaining an IRS tax settlement.
Before you embrace an IRS tax relief expert as your savior with the IRS you should take a deep breath and remember, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Getting professional tax assistance is important when negotiating with the IRS, but it is even more important to get professional tax relief assistance that will offer real solutions and not fantasies. Before you hand over your money to solve your debt make sure you’re not just getting into deeper debt. You should always check with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer information groups to make sure you’re hiring qualified assistance.
A tax professional may be quick to suggest that you can settle your IRS tax debt for pennies on the dollar with what is called an “Offer in Compromise”. If that tax professional doesn’t know your situation they may be trying to sell you an idea that is very seductive, but can leave you worse off than before you sought their help. An Offer in Compromise can solve your tax debt, but you should be armed with the knowledge of reality versus myth. Below are a few important facts:
· You have to prove to the IRS that you will never be able to pay back the entire tax debt, or prove that paying off your debt would create “undue hardship”. When you deal with the IRS you are guilty until proven innocent.
· A very low % of all Offers in Compromise are actually successful.
· If the Offer in Compromise is accepted you have to enter into a five year contract with the IRS. You have to file all returns on time and pay any tax debt you may incur during the five year period. Failure to live up to the terms of the contract will result in the entire debt being reinstated and you’ll have to owe the original amount plus any additional interest and penalties.
You can get an IRS tax settlement and save yourself from financial and emotional stress. Just remember the old sayings, “‘Let the buyer beware” and “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is” while you proceed with finding the right IRS tax relief professional to help!
Why Use Professional Tax Debt Help?
Good IRS tax relief is hard to find and for people with complicated tax issues, it is an absolute necessity. But how do you know which tax reduction firm is the best one to try? How can you be sure you’re going to get the tax debt help that you need? And why is it so vital to receive help from professionals?
Settling Your IRS Tax Debt For Less
When your IRS tax debt is spiraling out of control, you’re going to want experienced tax debt help. Without an IRS tax relief agency, your chances of settling your IRS debt for less are slim. In order to qualify for an IRS tax settlement, you have to submit an “Offer in Compromise.” When you submit the Offer in Compromise form you have to detail your complete financial information. You also have to include 20% of the offer you submitted. If this all sounds complicated, that’s because it is! Submitting the Offer in Compromise is only half of the battle. That’s because it’s hard to communicate with the IRS. The IRS is a busy hive of workers and they are trained to do only one thing; and that “one thing” is to collect the balance in full. The IRS is not trained in helping you negotiate a fair tax settlement. But the tax attorneys and CPAs available at IRS tax relief companies are trained in getting you the best offer and providing expert tax debt help.
IRS Tax Levy Help
IRS tax levies have a devastating affect on taxpayers. For those who owe back taxes, the IRS has the power to seize all the money from your bank account, garnish your paycheck, and even seize your property to satisfy the tax debt. And when your bank account is soon to be levied, watch out! You’ll need tax levy help, and you’ll need it fast. This is an urgent situation. The IRS first freezes your account. You then have only 21 days before they seize all of the funds in your bank account “for good”. So if you have already received a “Notice of Intent to Levy Your Bank Account”, the tax levy could strike at any time. It’s important to find an IRS tax relief expert that will provide the urgent tax levy help you need. This IRS expert will work directly with the IRS to have your tax levy quickly removed (released). Calling the IRS directly is a bad idea because they will simply tell you the only way to have your tax levy removed is to pay your tax debt in full. If you need tax levy help, look for qualified professional IRS help.
IRS Tax Penalty Abatement
Many taxpayers are not aware that it is possible to have all of the penalties abated from your IRS tax debt. This is known as Penalty Abatement, and it is available to people who qualify. This is not a “free for all” program and you are required to display “true need”. For example, if you were sick, if there was a natural disaster, or if there was some kind of circumstance that kept you from filing or paying on time you may be likely to qualify. But you have to watch your back. The IRS is not going to give you an easy time about this. You’ll need lots of paperwork and documentation to back up your claims. And if you don’t have it, you will be out of luck. If any of the situations listed apply to you, you should seek professional tax debt help so you can maximize your chances of having undeserved IRS tax penalties removed from your IRS debt.
About Professional Tax Debt Help
Finally, you need to consider how your chosen tax reduction firm is staffed. You want the IRS tax relief firm you’ve selected to be staffed with nothing but experienced IRS professionals. This means you’ll want a tax firm staffed with Tax Attorneys, Certified Tax Professionals, and maybe even former IRS employees who can bring “insider knowledge” to the team. The IRS is the largest collection agency in the world. There is no way that ordinary citizens can know every single tax code there is to insure their rights are protected while they attempt to secure some form of IRS tax relief! It is almost always a good idea to hire qualified professional tax help to address your important IRS tax debt matters.
How To Remove Federal IRS Tax Liens
The IRS has wide powers of collection of tax. One of the first things they do is to file a lien. Actually, by law, lien attaches to all the properties of the tax payer once a federal tax demand is raised. What this means is that the IRS has a right over these properties to the extent of the tax dues.
However, to make the lien effective, it needs to be filed in the public records which can be the local county office where you file tax returns. Normally this is done if the IRS considers that you are neglecting your tax dues.
The filing of lien has very adverse implication for the tax payer. It has the effect of serving a public notice particularly on the creditors that the properties of the tax payer are now encumbered with the tax debt. As a result, the credit rating of the tax payer takes a nosedive.
Normally, all credits are advanced against security of the assets owned by a person whether or not the person is actually required to mortgage a property in favor of the creditor. The filing of the tax lien has the effect of announcing to the world at large that the person is a tax defaulter.
No creditor will like to lend to a person knowing that the properties of the person are not free from debt and therefore his loan is not secure. Getting fresh loans will become very difficult for such a person.
What is the solution? Of course, the best thing to do is to clear the tax debt immediately and get the lien released. This can be done through payment or through adjustment of pending refunds. The IRS is obliged to release the lien within thirty days of the full tax dues including interest and penalty being paid.
If it is not possible to pay up the entire dues in one lump sum, the tax payer can make request for payment in installments. Once an installment agreement is reached, it may be possible to request for release of lien. However, this request may not be granted as the IRS likes to keep the lien as security of the tax debt.
Nevertheless, it may be possible to negotiate this relief if the installments are paid through payroll deduction from wages or electronic clearance from the bank account. This is because the consent given for such automatic deduction becomes a guarantee for future installment payments.
Another option is to give a bond to the satisfaction of the IRS guaranteeing the payment. This can be in the form of a bank guarantee or any third party guarantee. It should also be possible to offer a scheme of payment through sale of part of the property or one of the properties.
The IRS may release the lien if they are convinced that the sale will result in the collection of tax. It is also possible to get the lien on a property subordinated to another lien to access further credit.
The key lies in negotiating a bonafide scheme of tax payment with the IRS. For more information, see Publication 1450 of the IRS available on the IRS’s website. If the thought of trying to fight the government scares you, you should contact a professional IRS tax negotiator and have them remove the lien for you.
Irs Tax Relief – the Most Popular Irs Tax Relief Solutions
Tax law provides many solutions for resolving tax debt. But if you were to contact the IRS directly, they would only alert you to one solution, and that’s paying the tax debt in full. Here are five popular IRS tax relief solutions you should know about to be more informed.
IRS Tax Settlement
It is possible to settle your IRS tax debt. But there are some pitfalls you need to know. First, take a good look at your assets and finances. If you have assets that can be sold to satisfy your tax debt or enough money in your bank account to pay the tax debt in full, you will not be approved for an Offer in Compromise (IRS Tax Settlement). Do not waste the money or effort if either scenario applies to your financial situation.
After you’ve determined that you have a chance at settling your IRS debt, you will need to fill out Form 656 “Offer in Compromise.” Make sure you fill out every single space, leave nothing out. Make sure to sign the paperwork, as this is a common mistake people make when they submit their own forms. You do not want your tax settlement offer rejected due to simple mistakes because you will have to submit 20% of your offer along with the forms. If your offer is rejected, this money is non-refundable.
You must also keep some common IRS tax settlement roadblocks in mind before you submit your offer. First, are you up to date with filing your taxes? If you are not, your offer will be rejected. The second issue is bankruptcy. If the IRS finds out that you have filed for bankruptcy at or around the same time you submitted your Offer in Compromise, your tax settlement offer will be denied. Finally, you need to remember that an IRS tax lien will not be removed when you submit your offer. Tax liens, with few exceptions, are only released when the tax debt is completely satisfied. The tax lien will remain until after your tax debt is paid off.
Getting an IRS Tax Levy Released
The IRS Tax Levy is a fierce weapon the IRS uses to collect on tax debt. If you do not reply to the IRS’s correspondence requesting payment, chances are high the IRS will use a tax lien or a tax levy on you. However, there are a couple of IRS tax relief solutions to try to get your IRS wage or bank levy stopped.
IRS Bank Levy
The IRS will send you a notice stating they intend to levy your bank account. You bank account is now frozen. After the notice you have only 21 days before the IRS seizes your money for good. Working fast is imperative. If you set up an installment agreement or make any kind of good faith payment before the 21 days are up, you can save the money that is in your bank account, and avoid the impact of the IRS tax levy.
· IRS Wage Levy
If you ignore your tax debt long enough, the IRS can implement a wage levy against you. This means the IRS will remove a set amount from your paycheck until your tax debt is paid in full. It is not unusual for the IRS to take up to 75% of your paycheck, leaving you a minimal amount to meet your own monthly financial obligations. You are certainly in need of IRS tax relief if you are the victim of the IRS wage garnishment. The IRS wage levy can also be released or “lifted” but seeking expert IRS tax help may be prudent as each pay period that passes creates more financial damage.
Installment Agreement
You can make monthly payments on your IRS tax debt. The IRS will calculate your income and assets when you file Form 9456. After the IRS determines you qualify, they will set the amount you can pay each month to pay off your tax debt. When you are approved, you must make sure not to default on your monthly payments. Your plan will be canceled and you will not qualify for another installment agreement for six months to one year. The monthly installment agreement is the most common IRS tax relief solution for payment of back tax debts. As you can see, the IRS provides many solutions for taking care of common tax problems. You have to act fast and make sure you respond to any notices you receive from the IRS as soon as possible. The IRS will not and can not be ignored.
When Negotiations Fail
Most people who call the IRS directly have trouble communicating with the IRS. The IRS is trained to collect money no matter what, so having them release your IRS tax levy is nearly impossible for the ordinary taxpayer. When levies are being implemented, time is limited. It’s a good idea to hire a tax care professional that can negotiate with the IRS for you, on your behalf. That will improve your chances at an IRS tax relief solution that is workable for you!
The Difference Between a Tax Lien and a Tax Levy
An IRS tax lien is the federal government’s right to ensure payment of owed taxes by allowing them to place a secured debt on a negligent taxpayer’s property. Tax liens often result because of delinquent taxes and can be placed on real property or personal property. Typically, they act almost as a mortgage against the property and only come into play when the taxpayer is attempting to sell the real or personal property. At the time of sale, the IRS can then claim a right to the proceeds of the sale.
The IRS may file a federal tax lien if a taxpayer owes back taxes. According to the Internal Revenue Code, Section 6321, “[i]f any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same after demand, the amount including any interest, additional amount, addition to tax, or assessable penalty, together with any costs that may accrue in addition there to, shall be a lien in favor of the United States upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to such person.” The IRS files tax liens to assist in its efforts to collect the taxes owed. A lien gives the IRS a legal claim to your property as security or payment for the tax liability. A tax lien is different than a wage garnishment or bank levy.
In order to have a lien released a taxpayer must obtain a Release of the Notice of Federal Tax Lien. Generally, the IRS will not release a lien until the tax has either been paid in full or no longer has a legal interest in collecting the tax. The IRS has standardized procedures for lien releases, discharges and subordination. In situations that qualify for the removal of a lien, the IRS will generally remove the lien within 30 days and the taxpayer may receive a copy of the Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien.
An IRS levy is a technical term used to denote an administrative action by the IRS to actually seize property to satisfy a tax liability. A tax levy gives the government the ability to impose this collection without having to get permission from a court. Typically, the IRS uses a levy to seize two types of property – income and proceeds in a bank account.
The IRS must issue a Notice of Intent to Levy at least thirty days before the IRS can actually impose the levy. However, a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is generally issued after the tax lien arises. Also, while a federal tax lien applies to all of a taxpayer’s property and rights to property, an IRS levy is subject to more specific restrictions. Often times certain property covered by a tax lien may be exempt from an IRS levy. In those instances the IRS must obtain a court judgment in order to take that property.
Tax Relief Associate
ief associate is a specialist in every sense of the word. A tax associate specializes in resolving IRS problems that seem as if they can only get worse. But it’s important to make sure you choose an associate that’s experienced, reliable and has a proven track record of success.
Experience Does Count!
Experience really does count when it comes to negotiating with the IRS. It’s not a secret that the IRS can be difficult in every sense of the word. The IRS seems to thrive on instilling fear in people which is easy to do with a levy or lien notice.
A tax relief associate can work with the IRS on your behalf as a negotiator and mediator. But the real value of the services of a tax negotiator lies in the level of experience behind the services. An experienced tax relief associate will have thousands of successful negotiation cases under his or her belt which proves he or she truly understands and can defend taxpayer rights.
Anyone can claim to be able to negotiate with the IRS, but the success of those negotiations depends on being able to show the IRS the settlement is the best that can be expected. Even the IRS at some point must be reasonable and accept the fact they will only be able to collect a percentage of the tax bill due. A skillful negotiator not only can get a tax bill reduced, he or she leaves the IRS feeling as if the best deal possible has been made.
There have been a lot of books written about the art of negotiation, and that’s exactly what it is - an art form. But when it comes to the IRS, this art form must be backed by experience dealing with a variety of IRS tax debt situations. There are a number of ways you can find tax relief and a good negotiator knows them all.
So Does Honesty!
When you choose your tax relief associate, it’s important to feel comfortable that you’ve chosen a representative you can trust. When you have tax problems, the last thing you need is someone who hurts your case with the IRS. Instead, you need an associate that can be trusted to negotiate the very best compromise possible starting with a tax reduction.
An honest and reliable tax relief associate provides another service too. The associate takes the fear out of the whole process. Instead of being worried the IRS is going to snatch the money in your bank account or begin seizing your assets, you can relax knowing the associate is working towards a beneficial agreement.
A tax relief associate that’s experienced and reliable will walk the settlement process with you every step of the way.
IRS Presents: Top Ten Tax Time Tips
2. Find your forms. Whether you file a 1040 or 1040-EZ, you can download all IRS forms and publications on our Web site, IRS.gov.
3. Do a little research. Check out Publication 17 on IRS.gov. It’s a comprehensive collection of information for taxpayers highlighting everything you’ll need to know when filing your return. Review Pub 17 to ensure you’re taking all credits and deductions for which you’re eligible.
4. Think ahead to how you’ll file. Will you prepare your return yourself or go to a preparer? Do you qualify to file at no cost using Free File on IRS.gov? Are you eligible for free help at an IRS office or volunteer site? Will you purchase tax preparation software or file online? There are many things to consider. So, give yourself time to weigh them all and find the option that best suits your needs.
5. Take your time. Rushing to get your return filed increases the chance you will make a mistake and not catch it.
6. Double-check your return. Mistakes will slow down the processing of your return. In particular, make sure all the Social Security Numbers and math calculations are correct as these are the most common errors made by taxpayers.
7. Consider e-file. When you file electronically, the computer will handle the math calculations for you, and you will get your refund in about half the time it takes when you file a paper return.
8. Think about Direct Deposit. If you elect to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll receive it faster than waiting for a check by mail.
9. Visit IRS.gov often. The official IRS Web site is a great place to find everything you’ll need to file your tax return: forms, tips, FAQs and updates on tax law changes.
10. Relax. There’s no need to panic. If you run into a problem, remember the IRS is here to help.











