The Sterling Hawthorne Group

Tax resolution includes numerous services and may also be called IRS representation. Generally, tax resolution is a service provided by a tax professional to help a client resolve debt issues in a way that minimizes the taxes and penalties owed as much as legally possible.

IRS Representation is a service provided by a tax or legal professional who stands in on behalf of an individual or legal entity when issues occur with the IRS or state. Only attorneys, certified public accountants, and enrolled agents are allowed to represent taxpayers before the IRS, with enrolled agents being the only group who are federally licensed in all 50 states. Here at Sterling Hawthorne we have tax professionals licensed to represent you before the IRS.

Dealing with the IRS can be scary and using a tax professional such as an enrolled agent from Sterling Hawthorne to represent you can help alleviate stress and usually results in better results. If you have any of the following issues you may need representation: -You have received notification from the IRS that a Revenue Officer has assigned to your case. -You owe the IRS a great deal of money. If you owe over $10,000 Sterling Hawthorne Tax Resolution can help negotiate and get you taken care of and reduce your stress. -If the IRS is threatening levies and seizure of assets. -If you have not filed tax returns for several years or the IRS has filed tax returns for you.

Currently not collectible (CNC) occurs when the IRS agrees you have no means to pay your tax debt to the government and pay reasonable living expenses. When you are currently not collectible the IRS generally will not try to collect from you and will not try to levy your assets and income. The IRS will still assess penalties and interest and will most likely keep any future refunds to apply against the debts.

You have three years to claim a refund from the time the tax return was due including extensions (if you filed an extension). The IRS in general has ten years to collect taxes due from the time the taxes were assessed. There are exceptions that can become complicated. In such cases you should consult a tax professional. We would be happy to assist you.

Innocent spouse relief can be claimed when your current or former spouse failed to report income, incorrectly reported income, or improperly claimed credits and deductions. To claim innocent spouse, you must meet all of the following requirements: Filed a joint return that had erroneous items solely attributed to your spouse. You establish that you did not know about the understatement of taxes at the time you signed the return. The IRS takes into account the facts and circumstances and believes it to be unfair to hold you liable. An innocent spouse is someone who is married to a person who deliberately lied to the IRS by hiding or misreporting income or claiming made up deductions to lower taxes. An injured spouse is one whose tax refund has been used to cover the tax debt of a current or former spouse. You become injured when your share of a refund is applied to your spouse’s legally enforceable past due debts. You must not be legally obligated to pay the debt of the spouse.