What Makes a Good Client Referral
A “good client referral” is more than someone who owes money to the IRS or the state tax authorities.
A good referral is someone who is ready to take action.
That one factor determines whether a tax debt case moves forward smoothly—or stalls out while notices, penalties, and stress keep piling up.
Referral Rule #1: The Client Must Be Ready to Take Action
In tax resolution, timing matters. A qualified referral is a client who’s prepared to do the next right thing—now.
Here are the most reliable signs your client is “referral-ready”:
They’ve opened their IRS/state notices (and will share them)
They’re willing to schedule a call and show up for it
They understand resolution is a process, not a quick fix
They’re prepared to take the recommended steps (file missing returns, provide financials, set up payment terms, etc.)
If the client is motivated, honest, and responsive, the referral is already strong.
What to Include in a Strong Tax Debt Referral
You don’t need a perfect packet. You just need enough clarity to start in the right direction.
When you send a tax resolution referral (or any tax debt referral), include:
Best contact info + preferred method (call/text/email)
Whether this is IRS tax debt, state tax debt, or both
Any urgency: levies, garnishments, liens, passport issues, deadlines
A one-sentence “why now” (what made them ready to deal with it)
Progress beats perfection. A clear starting point beats a slow, overbuilt referral every time.
How to Make the Referral Easy for the Client
A good referral isn’t a handoff—it’s a bridge. Here’s how to build it in minutes:
Set expectations in one minute
“Tax resolution takes steps. They’ll need your notices, some financial info, and follow-through. If you’re ready, this is absolutely workable.”Send a warm introduction
A quick email that connects your client to our team makes the client far more likely to engage.Confirm the client will respond
Before you hit send, ask: “If they reach out today, will you call them back today?”
When It’s Not a Good Referral (Yet)
It may be better to wait if the client:
Wants “quick advice” but won’t commit to next steps
Is still avoiding filing entirely with no plan to change that
Isn’t willing to communicate or participate
In those cases, the best first move is helping them get ready—because readiness is what creates results.
At Golden Lion Tax Solutions, we’re built for tax debt resolution—IRS and state—and we care deeply about making the process clear, steady, and sustainable.
If you want your referrals handled with Trust • Protection • Wisdom, send clients who are ready to take action—and we’ll take it from there.