IRS Appeals

If you’re prone to associate the word appeal with intimidating courtroom proceedings, including a judge and a gavel, get acquainted with the IRS Office of Appeals.  According to the IRS, “The Appeals mission is to resolve tax controversies, without litigation, on a basis which is fair and impartial to both the Government and the taxpayer in a manner that will enhance voluntary compliance and public confidence in the integrity and efficiency of the Service.”

In other words, Uncle Sam prefers that you willingly tender assessed taxes to the government.  But Uncle Sam also wants to appear to play fair during the process of tax assessment and collections – thus, the Office of Appeals.  Its intent reflects the basic “checks and balances” against excessive power that’s the building block of the United States’ governmental structure.

The Office of Appeals is dedicated to resolving tax disputes between Uncle Sam and the taxpayer. You can appeal such things the following:

  • If the IRS assesses additional taxes to you, including principal, penalties, and interest, after the IRS audits your return.
  • If the IRS pursues collection actions, liens, levies, and seizures of assets.
  • If the IR rejects an offer in compromise to settle tax liabilities.
  • Of if the IRS denies relief through procedures such as the application for innocent spouse relief, installment agreement, or non-collectible status.

The steps involved in Appeals vary from circumstance to circumstance.  Compared to the official proceedings of a courtroom, the IRS appeals process appears very informal and is conducted sometimes in person, sometimes through the mail or by telephone.

But beware – despite the seemingly casual nature of the process, mounting a successful appeal generally requires awareness of basic IRS procedures and in-depth knowledge of your rights as a taxpayer.

For an appeal, you’re required to submit special forms and various types of supporting documentation within a specific timeframe.  Your appeal can be turned down for a number of reasons – for instance, incorrect calculations, failure to prove that the tax assessments were unfair, or failure to meet deadlines.

Turning over any type of financial documentation to the IRS does not go without at least a little risk, and if you are unfamiliar with your rights, you may inadvertently disclose unnecessary, but potentially damaging information.

So if you’re thinking about appealing an IRS decision concerning your tax liability, consult with a tax attorney at Law Offices of Christy Lee, P.C.  Our tax boutique will work hard to protect your rights while we negotiate with the IRS on your behalf:

  • We will review with you IRS correspondence concerning your tax situation, then discuss the options you have for moving forward.
  • If an appeal is warranted, we will direct you in the collection of the required documentation, then review the paperwork for potentially harmful information.
  • We will complete the necessary appeal forms and correspondence on schedule, ensuring that the necessary documentation proves the validity of your stance concerning the tax issue.
  • We will handle all communications with the IRS concerning your tax case, relieving you of the stress accompanying the tax liability.
  • And we will counsel you concerning the best techniques to use in order to avoid similar situations with tax liability in the future.

Call Law Offices of Christy Lee, P.C., today to see how we can help you resolve your tax issue while simultaneously protecting your rights as a taxpayer.