When You Have Questions, Our Northeast Ohio Tax Dispute Lawyer Has Answers
When April approaches, many of us in the Buckeye State find ourselves navigating through a maze of tax forms, rules, and deadlines. Whether you're a first-time filer or a seasoned taxpayer, questions abound. In this post, our Northeast Ohio tax dispute lawyer aims to address some of the most common queries that Ohioans face during tax season.
FAQ About Tax Debts Answered by an Experienced Tax Attorney
Question – I owe money to the IRS. Can I settle for less as I hear on TV?
Answer – The IRS has a program called an “Offer in Compromise” that if you qualify, you can settle your IRS debt for less without full payment. The key is to determine if you qualify for this program, as not everybody does.
Question – I owe money to the IRS but do not have money to pay in full, what should I do?
Answer – If you owe money to the IRS, you can set up a payment plan (installment plan) with the IRS. Most people can do this online via the IRS website, and depending on how much money you owe, the IRS determines what type of installment plan you qualify for.
Question – How long can the IRS collect on back taxes?
Answer – As a general rule of thumb, the IRS has ten years from when the taxes were assessed to collect on the delinquent taxes. There are several exceptions to this rule depending if a person filed bankruptcy or had an installment agreement and then defaulted on the agreement. Once the ten years has expired, then the IRS lien is no longer legally enforceable and you will have to take action for the IRS to release the tax lien.
Question – I received a Notice from the IRS that I owe more money, should I just pay?
Answer – The majority of notices that people receive from the IRS are computer-generated, and it is not that uncommon for the notices to be incorrect. Before you write a check to the IRS, carefully review the IRS notice along with your tax records to determine if it is correct or not. The one action you should never due is to just ignore the IRS Notice.
Question – I filed my taxes, but mistakes were made on the tax return. Can I refile my taxes to get a larger refund?
Answer – A person has three years from the due date of the tax return to amend their tax return in order to receive a refund. For example, your 2018 tax return was due on April 15, 2019. You would then have until April 15, 2021, to amend your 2018 tax return to get your refund.
Question – I am married, but do I have to file a married filing jointly with my spouse?
Answer – If a couple is married, then their filing options with the IRS are to file either as married filing joint or married filing separately. They can not file as single or head of household.