Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to file a tax return? If so, why have I not been caught?
- What do I do if I have un-filed returns and I have lost my tax records?
- How can you guarantee results?
- How much can I save by doing an offer in compromise?
- How do I know that I will get my settlement proposal accepted by the IRS?
- How long does it take to resolve the whole case from start to finish?
- I own a company and have not paid the payroll taxes for my employees. Do you handle this type of case?
- I am a business owner or officer of a company with employees and I may have a problem with the income and employment taxes (Form 941 taxes). What should I do?
- How much is all this going to cost?
- My wages have been levied by the IRS. Can Effectur get the levy released? How long will that take?
- Can I represent myself and settle my own case?
Do I have to file a tax return? If so, why have I not been caught?
Yes, everyone who has income above a minimum threshold must file a return every year. Non-filing of tax returns is a serious violation of federal law. Many people go for years without filing, hoping that they will not be caught, but invariably they eventually are caught. The longer they go without being caught, the more severe the financial and legal consequences are to them. Non-filing penalties, interest, and other penalties are assessed and accrue on the unpaid taxes. There is no relief available to any taxpayer until all tax returns are filed and the taxpayer is in full compliance with the law.
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What do I do if I have un-filed returns and I have lost my tax records?
Don't worry; we can help. We can recover your tax records from the IRS as part of our representation and help you file your returns, thereby making you eligible for the relief you deserve.
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How can you guarantee results?
Unlike other companies, we walk you through a step-by-step FREE tax consultation to determine your eligibility for the different programs available. If we cannot help you, we will not take on your case. We have helped thousands of taxpayers effectively resolve their tax debts and get back in compliance. Our success rates and resolution times are among the very best in our industry.
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How much can I save by doing an offer in compromise?
If you are eligible for an offer in compromise, the amount you save depends on your specific circumstances. In general we save our clients from 60% to 98% when we determine that they are eligible to submit an offer in compromise.
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Couldn't I just go through my CPA or a tax attorney to do the settlement?
Yes. You can file your own settlement, as could your CPA or lawyer. However, most CPAs and attorneys are not highly experienced in negotiating settlements with the Collection Branch of the IRS or in dealing with Revenue Officers. Our Enrolled Agents have over 100 years of combined experience in collections with the IRS and have handled thousands of cases just like yours. They have the inside knowledge of the IRS and its systems that many attorneys and CPAs lack. This knowledge is critical to achieving the best results possible for you.
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How do I know that I will get my settlement proposal accepted by the IRS?
We will take you through a confidential consultation to see if you qualify for any of the IRS programs that can reduce your liability or stop enforcement action. We can tell you with a high degree of certainty whether you may qualify or not. If you would not qualify, we will tell you so before you consider retaining us.
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I own a company and have not paid the payroll taxes for my employees. Do you handle this type of case?
Yes. We have a high degree of success with these types of cases and are able to save our clients significant amounts in settlement. We are also adept at limiting the consequences to the business owner personally.
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I am a business owner or officer of a company with employees and I may have a problem with the income and employment taxes (Form 941 taxes). What should I do?
Call us as soon as possible for a free consultation. You could become personally liable for what is called the Civil Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. The trust fund recovery penalty was enacted to encourage the prompt payment of withheld income and employment taxes, including Social Security and collected excise taxes. The penalty may be imposed personally against officers or employees of corporations, members or employees of partnerships, corporate directors and shareholders, and members of boards of trustees. If you suspect you may have a problem, call us immediately. Our advice is free, and it may save you a great deal of trouble and money.
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How much is all this going to cost?
We understand that our clients may often be in a difficult financial situation. That is why we give a free confidential initial consultation. Because we quote all of our fees up front, our clients usually pay less than if they paid an attorney or CPA that charges by the hour. We also allow flexibility in our payment terms and will work with you to set up a payment plan that fits your particular situation. You will always know up front what our fee is, and it will not increase for the services described in our quote no matter how much work your case requires.
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My wages have been levied by the IRS. Can Effectur get the levy released? How long will that take?
Effectur can get your IRS levy released. We do it for clients just like you every day. It normally takes 2-3 days from the time you have filed all tax returns and supplied us with the information we need. Compare this to the 2 months or more it takes many other companies!
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Can I represent myself and settle my own case?
Yes, any taxpayer may represent themselves before the IRS. It is possible for a taxpayer to settle his or her own problem without professional assistance, but it is difficult for an individual to represent himself or herself effectively. The difficulty in doing so is lack of experience in dealing with the IRS. IRS agents deal with taxpayers like you every day, but you may only have a problem to resolve with the IRS once in your life. This gives the IRS an unfair advantage in negotiating with you. The IRS will recommend that a taxpayer proceed in a way that is best for the IRS, not the way that is best for the taxpayer.
In addition to lack of expertise, the emotional involvement you have when it is YOUR tax problem can cause you to settle for less than what you may be entitled to or to endure unpleasant and unnecessary collection actions against you.
That is why, especially in high-liability cases (cases involving more than $10,000), we strongly advise that a taxpayer have good representation by a professional who is enrolled to practice before the IRS. Remember, it is the goal of the IRS to collect as much tax as they can. They may not always volunteer information to you about the tax law that would reduce the tax they collect from you or jeopardize their ability to collect it from you.
Our Ex-IRS Agents have 100 years of combined experience as former collections employees for the IRS and are now enrolled to practice before the IRS. No longer affiliated with the IRS in any way, our Enrolled Agents now put their knowledge of the tax laws and regulations as well as their insider knowledge of the IRS collection system to work for you.
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