Jan 08, 2024
We’ve all seen the commercials on TV or heard the ads on the radio: “I owed $500,000 to the IRS, I hired (fill in the blank) Tax Debt Resolution Company, and I ended up only having to pay back $2,000!” They sell the pipe dream. They sell the anomaly of the less than 0.005% of taxpayers who would qualify for that type of extreme resolution. They use high-pressure salespeople to call on every tax lien filed, threatening the potential actions the IRS or state can take because of the tax debt. As we break into a new year and taxpayers who owe the IRS or state are looking for help, I want to take the opportunity to share with you why we are different from the run-of-the-mill tax resolution firms out there.
Having a tax debt is scary, whether the taxpayer is an individual or a business, the debt is owed to the IRS or state, and the debt is from income taxes, payroll taxes, sales tax, or a mixture of them all. Every taxpayer with a past-due bill is afraid to open their mailbox for fear of the next notice awaiting them. They are worried about checking their bank account balances for fear of seeing them at $0.00 because of a bank account levy. They are afraid that a wage garnishment order has been sent to their employer or, in the case of a business with a tax debt, levy orders have been issued to their customers. To put it bluntly, it sucks to have this type of debt hanging over their head; the unknown of what is going to happen next can be paralyzing. And we know that… it’s what inspires us to do everything we possibly can to help our clients every step of the way.
We start our relationship with our clients the same way every time: we ask about them. We ask about their line of work, their income and expenses, how the tax debt began, what their biggest fears/concerns are, and if they could waive a magic wand (save for the debt disappearing altogether), what would be the best outcome for them. If your tax representative doesn’t understand who you are, what your fears are, and what would be your ideal outcome to the tax debt problem, how in the world can they pretend to be your advocate?
Upon contacting the tax agency once we have a Power of Attorney on record, our first mission is to gain an understanding of every aspect of the client’s tax account: how many years the debts have been accruing for, what the collection statutes are, and we request copies of every report and transcript applicable to the resolution scope. Once this information has been secured, and probably the most important proactive step we immediately take for our clients, we ask to halt any enforced collection actions for thirty days. By doing so, we are able to secure breathing room to allow us to develop a map towards the resolution, and we protect our clients from levies and seizures.
As we are putting together the puzzle pieces with the client, we think outside the box. We consider every resolution option available, not just the one we initially thought could help. If filing a Freedom of Information Act Request will allow us to secure missing documentation we feel is important to our resolution plan, we educate the client about why, and then we submit it as quickly as possible. If we find an error on the client’s last tax return because of a position taken regarding an incorrectly filed 1099 we found in their Wage & Income Transcripts, we talk to the client and their accountant about it and come up with a gameplan to get it fixed to prevent an audit flag. If a client needs help determining how much they should make in estimated tax payments for self-employed income, we work with them not only to determine how much should be paid but also to help them understand that paying those taxes quarterly isn’t the only option. If we start heading down one resolution path and something in our client’s life changes that a shift in resolution option would suit better, we talk about it immediately and establish a plan to pivot. You can only do these things if you are fully engaged with your clients. THAT is what makes us different.
We know it isn’t easy for a taxpayer to close their eyes and trust someone on the other end of a phone line. We know it isn’t easy for a tax professional whose client has a tax debt to say, “I have a reliable and honest firm that I think could help.” Given the terrible customer service we have all had to deal with from every corner of our personal and professional lives, I understand and fully respect any hesitation one may have.
However, I would direct you to read through the testimonials we have on our website. Most of our testimonials have been secured not from clients but from other tax professionals, as they are some of the harshest critics whose sole concern is the services we provide their clients. If they can attest to the scope of excellent services we provide, you know you will make a solid choice by engaging Golden Lion Tax Solutions to address any tax debt concerns you or your client may have.
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Trust. Protection. Wisdom.
Your future and your family deserve the right protection. Golden Lion Tax Solutions will be your advisor and confidant throughout the entire journey. We guarantee to offer you or your business best-case solutions for your tax debt. We are by your side every step of the way. Start now and get your life back.
For help with your tax debts, email contactus@goldenliontaxsolutions.com or call 833-LION-TAX (833-546-6829)
Disclaimer: There are requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for some of the tax solutions we discuss on our website. Not all of our services will be suitable for every client. Golden Lion Tax Solutions is here to help you find the most appropriate solution to fit your situation.
