There are many rules and regulations by the IRS.
It is not necessary to know everything.
As a matter of fact, many IRS Agents do not know everything.
Most IRS Agents don't know much at all and either mislead or misrepresent the facts to the taxpayer.
The IRS is so short-staffed that only 61 percent of the more than 100 million customer service phone calls made to the Internal Revenue Service last year were answered according to the nation's Taxpayer Advocate in their report to Congress.
They also estimate that of the nearly 40 percent of phone calls they do answer, they actually provide over 8 million Americans with the wrong answers to even the most basic inquiries about the tax laws.
Money to train IRS customer representatives also was cut, from $172 million in fiscal 2010 to $22 million in fiscal 2013, which increased that taxpayers are receiving incorrect information or no information.
And listen to this, The IRS has announced it plans to stop answering tax law questions to the public after this year's tax filing season ends.
That means come Aril 16th if you call the IRS, you can expect little to no help.
Nina Olsen, the head of the Tax Payer Advocate Service said "At the risk of vast understatement, it is a sad state of affairs when the government writes tax laws as complex as ours, and then is unable to answer any questions beyond 'basic' ones from baffled citizens who are doing their best to comply," Olson said.
"In addition, the IRS will discontinue its longstanding practice of preparing tax returns for low-income, elderly, and disabled taxpayers who seek help," Olson's report says.
Here are some additional facts: Fact: It is not illegal to owe taxes, but it is illegal not to file.
Fact: The IRS charges over 140 different penalties based on taxpayers situation.
Many are for businesses.
Fact: The IRS is the world's largest debt collector and will do whatever it takes to gettheir money.
Fact: If the IRS imposes a wage garnishment, they can take up to 70% of thetaxpayers check.
They provide the employer with a garnishment rate sheet.
Fact: We can get the wage garnishment, levy or lien either stopped BEFORE ithappens or, lifted if already in place.
Fact: Penalties to taxpayers are implemented by the filing date if the taxpayer has notpaid their tax due in full.
The IRS will impose a 'Failure To File' penalty of 25%and/or/or both a 'Failure To Pay' penalty of 25%.
Fact: If a taxpayer has not filed their taxes for past years and the IRS has their wage and income information, the IRS can file on behalf of the taxpayer.
This is called a 'Substitute For Return' (SFR).
It is the worst type of filing for the taxpayer because the IRS files as single, no dependents, no deductions and no benefits.
It generates the highest amount of taxes to be paid by the taxpayer.
Fact: There is a 10 year 'Statute of Limitations' to collect back taxes.
However, that 10 year time period can be adjusted based on circumstances.
Fact: Interest is charged on unpaid back taxes and penalties assessed from the timethe payment was due.
Interest rates are set by Congress quarterly and they baseit on inflation and present interest rates.
The current rate is 3% annually,However, that rate is COMPOUNDED DAILY so it means that every day(365 days a year) the amount of tax owed goes up.
Fact: The IRS charges additional fees in addition to penalties and interest.
The mostcommon fees are to set up an Installment Agreement (I/A) or an Offer inCompromise (OIC).
These fees vary based on circumstances.
Fact: The IRS is NOT a part of the Federal Government (More on that later).
Fact: The IRS reviews every tax return by computer.
If the computer sees adiscrepancy between the filed tax return and what they have on file fromemployers and other income sources it will automatically raise a red flag and aninternal audit will happen.
It will take 3 to 4 months before the IRS computermatches filings.
The taxpayer will not be notified for at least 3 to 4 months afterthat.
Fact: When the IRS issues an "Intent to Levy" letter to the taxpayer, it gives thetaxpayer 30 days to respond.
If taxpayer does not respond the Levy/Lien isimposed.
Some people do not respond out of fear.
Some people call us.
Somepeople call the IRS.
These are just some facts for taxpayers to understand.
You can be further educated by visiting our website.
In addition, you can request a free copy of our eBook "The 7 Biggest Mistakes When dealing With The IRS.
"
It is not necessary to know everything.
As a matter of fact, many IRS Agents do not know everything.
Most IRS Agents don't know much at all and either mislead or misrepresent the facts to the taxpayer.
The IRS is so short-staffed that only 61 percent of the more than 100 million customer service phone calls made to the Internal Revenue Service last year were answered according to the nation's Taxpayer Advocate in their report to Congress.
They also estimate that of the nearly 40 percent of phone calls they do answer, they actually provide over 8 million Americans with the wrong answers to even the most basic inquiries about the tax laws.
Money to train IRS customer representatives also was cut, from $172 million in fiscal 2010 to $22 million in fiscal 2013, which increased that taxpayers are receiving incorrect information or no information.
And listen to this, The IRS has announced it plans to stop answering tax law questions to the public after this year's tax filing season ends.
That means come Aril 16th if you call the IRS, you can expect little to no help.
Nina Olsen, the head of the Tax Payer Advocate Service said "At the risk of vast understatement, it is a sad state of affairs when the government writes tax laws as complex as ours, and then is unable to answer any questions beyond 'basic' ones from baffled citizens who are doing their best to comply," Olson said.
"In addition, the IRS will discontinue its longstanding practice of preparing tax returns for low-income, elderly, and disabled taxpayers who seek help," Olson's report says.
Here are some additional facts: Fact: It is not illegal to owe taxes, but it is illegal not to file.
Fact: The IRS charges over 140 different penalties based on taxpayers situation.
Many are for businesses.
Fact: The IRS is the world's largest debt collector and will do whatever it takes to gettheir money.
Fact: If the IRS imposes a wage garnishment, they can take up to 70% of thetaxpayers check.
They provide the employer with a garnishment rate sheet.
Fact: We can get the wage garnishment, levy or lien either stopped BEFORE ithappens or, lifted if already in place.
Fact: Penalties to taxpayers are implemented by the filing date if the taxpayer has notpaid their tax due in full.
The IRS will impose a 'Failure To File' penalty of 25%and/or/or both a 'Failure To Pay' penalty of 25%.
Fact: If a taxpayer has not filed their taxes for past years and the IRS has their wage and income information, the IRS can file on behalf of the taxpayer.
This is called a 'Substitute For Return' (SFR).
It is the worst type of filing for the taxpayer because the IRS files as single, no dependents, no deductions and no benefits.
It generates the highest amount of taxes to be paid by the taxpayer.
Fact: There is a 10 year 'Statute of Limitations' to collect back taxes.
However, that 10 year time period can be adjusted based on circumstances.
Fact: Interest is charged on unpaid back taxes and penalties assessed from the timethe payment was due.
Interest rates are set by Congress quarterly and they baseit on inflation and present interest rates.
The current rate is 3% annually,However, that rate is COMPOUNDED DAILY so it means that every day(365 days a year) the amount of tax owed goes up.
Fact: The IRS charges additional fees in addition to penalties and interest.
The mostcommon fees are to set up an Installment Agreement (I/A) or an Offer inCompromise (OIC).
These fees vary based on circumstances.
Fact: The IRS is NOT a part of the Federal Government (More on that later).
Fact: The IRS reviews every tax return by computer.
If the computer sees adiscrepancy between the filed tax return and what they have on file fromemployers and other income sources it will automatically raise a red flag and aninternal audit will happen.
It will take 3 to 4 months before the IRS computermatches filings.
The taxpayer will not be notified for at least 3 to 4 months afterthat.
Fact: When the IRS issues an "Intent to Levy" letter to the taxpayer, it gives thetaxpayer 30 days to respond.
If taxpayer does not respond the Levy/Lien isimposed.
Some people do not respond out of fear.
Some people call us.
Somepeople call the IRS.
These are just some facts for taxpayers to understand.
You can be further educated by visiting our website.
In addition, you can request a free copy of our eBook "The 7 Biggest Mistakes When dealing With The IRS.
"