If a revenue officer has shown up to your home or business to collect through an asset seizure, we can help!
After the IRS has sent notices demanding payment through the mail and intent to levy notices via certified mail, their next step is to take action. This can be in the form of a wage garnishment or bank levy, but sometimes, depending on the size of the debt, a revenue officer (RO) will be assigned to the case to collect via asset seizure.
An IRS Revenue Officer has the authority to:
- Inspect financial accounts
- Levy bank accounts and seize property
- Contact accounts payable and demand direct repayment
- Close businesses and sell the assets
Although the IRS Revenue Officer has many rights, you have the legal right to refuse to speak to one by assigning us a power of attorney! That means if an RO is at your door or has begun contacting you through phone calls demanding to see your financials or profit and loss statements, it is extremely important to get professional help immediately. Saying or revealing the wrong thing can be extremely damaging, not only potentially costing you thousands of dollars in overpaid taxes, but can jeopardize the assets you’ve worked hard to achieve.
Negotiating directly with a revenue officer can cost you!
We hear it all the time, an RO contacts a taxpayer or business and asks them for financial information, and the taxpayer hands it over. Once the RO determines how much is available for collection, they issue an immediate bank/asset levy or wage garnishment. When asked why they turned over their financials without hiring a professional to intercede, the answer is always the same. “The revenue officer seemed so nice!”
Let’s be clear. Just because someone works for the government does not make them a nasty person. In fact, they are now trained to be anything BUT nasty. Most will get much further with a taxpayer by being pleasant than otherwise. If you had a legal issue and had to go to court, would you simply not hire a lawyer because the prosecution seemed agreeable? Of course not. Negotiating with an RO is the same thing. They know your rights, and you don’t. This puts most immediately at a disadvantage.
If you have a tax debt, a revenue officer’s job is to collect it, by whatever means necessary. They will make you laugh and smile, but make no mistake. Once your guard is down, they will request revealing and personal financial information, whether it’s bank statements, a profit and loss, balance sheet, or various operating statements. And once they see what you can afford to pay and what your assets are worth, they will begin the process of seizure.
The process of asset seizure is avoidable!
A lot of taxpayers wonder if hiring representation will anger the RO and make matters worse. The answer is no. Revenue officers are given certain rights to collect the tax owed, and taxpayers are given certain rights to defend themselves. Much like in a court of law, it’s very important to present your case as favorably as possible. The same can be said with tax debt. It is a huge legal and financial obligation that has lasting consequences. Make sure you leverage your legal rights for a fair and just outcome by hiring a professional to negotiate on your behalf.
Getting Help with an IRS Revenue Officer
The first step towards successful resolution is to acknowledge that your tax debt and assigned revenue officer won’t go away on their own and to seek professional assistance. Our firm of tax relief attorneys and tax relief professionals has helped thousands of individuals and businesses just like you stop forced collections and finally resolve their tax debt.
Our tax relief professionals will take the time to discuss your issue free of charge, and help map out the best solution moving forward. Rest assured, all information is confidential, and nothing will be shared.
We understand that you have many options when it comes to choosing the right tax relief firm, and we welcome the opportunity to help you patiently through this process and bring closure to this important financial consideration.