Dallas IRS Tax Attorney

What Should You Do If You Receive an IRS Notice?

Receiving an IRS notice does not automatically mean that everything stated in the notice is correct. It does mean that the notice should be taken seriously.

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Start by identifying the tax period involved, the amount the IRS claims is owed, why the notice was issued, and the deadline for responding.

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Some notices request information or payment. Others warn that the IRS may take additional collection action.

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Ignoring IRS correspondence can allow a manageable problem to become more difficult to resolve. A Dallas IRS tax attorney can review the notice, explain what it means, and help determine an appropriate response based on the circumstances.

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Help With Back Taxes

Businesses can fall behind on federal taxes for many reasons. Cash-flow problems, accounting issues, unexpected expenses, unfiled returns, or financial setbacks can all contribute to unpaid tax obligations.

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Unfortunately, the balance may continue to grow as interest and penalties are added.

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When a business owes back taxes, the first step is understanding the extent of the problem. This can include identifying the tax periods involved, determining whether all required returns have been filed, reviewing the amount the IRS claims is due, and determining whether collection activity has begun.

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Addressing the issue early may provide more options than waiting until the IRS takes more aggressive collection action.

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IRS Payroll Tax Problems

Payroll tax problems can create particularly serious concerns for businesses and their owners.

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Employers have federal obligations involving the withholding and payment of employment taxes. When those obligations are not met, the IRS may pursue the business for the unpaid taxes and, under certain circumstances, may seek to impose personal liability on individuals it determines are responsible for certain unpaid trust fund taxes.

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If your business has received an IRS notice involving payroll taxes, it is important to understand the amount at issue and the potential consequences.

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Bruce Alford assists business owners facing federal payroll tax problems and related IRS collection matters.

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IRS Tax Liens

A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against a taxpayer's property when a federal tax debt remains unpaid after applicable requirements have been satisfied.

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A tax lien can potentially affect a business's property and complicate financing, transactions, or the sale of assets.

A lien is not the same thing as the IRS actually taking property. However, it is an important indication that the tax problem has progressed.

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If the IRS has filed or threatened a federal tax lien against your business, an attorney can help you understand what the lien means and evaluate the available options based on your circumstances.

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IRS Levies

An IRS levy involves the legal seizure of property to satisfy a tax debt.

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Depending on the circumstances, an IRS levy may potentially affect bank accounts and other property. For a business, that can interfere directly with cash flow and daily operations.

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There are procedures the IRS generally must follow before taking certain levy actions, which makes IRS notices and deadlines especially important.

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If your business has received a notice concerning a potential levy, do not wait until property has already been seized to seek legal guidance.

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IRS Penalty Abatement

IRS penalties can significantly increase an existing tax liability. Depending on the type of penalty, the taxpayer's compliance history, and the circumstances involved, there may be situations in which penalty relief can be requested.

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An IRS penalty abatement request may involve demonstrating eligibility for a particular type of relief or establishing that circumstances prevented the taxpayer from complying with a federal tax obligation.

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An IRS penalty abatement lawyer can review the penalties that have been assessed, evaluate the circumstances that led to them, and determine whether there may be grounds for requesting relief.

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Not every penalty qualifies for abatement, and relief is not guaranteed. The appropriate approach depends on the specific penalty and facts involved.

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Unfiled Federal Tax Returns

Unfiled tax returns can make an existing IRS problem more complicated.

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Before certain tax problems can be resolved, a taxpayer may need to address outstanding filing requirements. Multiple years of unfiled returns can also make it difficult for a business owner to understand the company's actual tax liability.

The process often begins by determining which returns are missing and what information is needed to bring the business into compliance.

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If your company has unfiled federal tax returns, addressing the filing issue before additional enforcement activity occurs may help prevent the problem from becoming more difficult.

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IRS Collection Actions

The IRS has significant collection authority when federal taxes remain unpaid.

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Depending on the circumstances and applicable procedures, collection activity may include notices, liens, levies, and other enforcement measures.

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For businesses, IRS collection activity can affect more than the outstanding tax balance. It can interfere with cash flow, property, financing, and normal business operations.

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Bruce Alford can help businesses evaluate IRS collection matters and determine how to respond based on the specific circumstances.

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Can an IRS Tax Problem Be Resolved Without Going to Court?

Many IRS matters are handled through administrative processes rather than traditional courtroom litigation.

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The available options depend heavily on the type of liability, the taxpayer's financial circumstances, filing compliance, and where the matter stands in the IRS collection process.

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An attorney can review the situation, communicate with the IRS when appropriate, and help the client evaluate available methods of addressing the tax problem.

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No particular outcome can be guaranteed, and not every resolution option is available to every taxpayer.

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Why Work With an Attorney for an IRS Business Tax Problem?

IRS problems involving a business can overlap with other legal and financial issues.

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A tax lien could affect a transaction. A levy could interfere with operating cash. Payroll tax liabilities could create concerns beyond the company itself. A substantial tax obligation could affect decisions involving business assets or the company's future.

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Our Dallas business attorney service includes business law, commercial transactions, litigation, real estate, and tax matters. This broader experience allows him to consider an IRS problem in the context of the business as a whole.

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More Than 35 Years of Legal Experience

Bruce Alford has practiced law in Texas since 1987 and is the founder of The Alford Law Firm, PLLC.

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He represents entrepreneurs, investors, and small to medium-sized businesses in Dallas in a variety of legal matters. Clients work directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate the immediate IRS problem as well as its potential implications for the business.

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Learn more about Bruce Alford.

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Dallas IRS Tax Attorney FAQs

When should I contact an IRS tax attorney?

Consider seeking legal guidance when your business owes substantial federal taxes, has unpaid payroll taxes, receives a lien or levy notice, faces IRS collection activity, has multiple unfiled returns, or disputes the amount the IRS says is owed.

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What is the difference between an IRS tax lien and an IRS levy?

A federal tax lien is a legal claim against property related to an unpaid tax debt. A levy involves the actual seizure of property to satisfy a tax debt. Because these represent different stages and types of collection activity, the potential responses may also differ.

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Can the IRS levy a business bank account?

The IRS can levy property, potentially including funds held in bank accounts, when applicable legal requirements are met. Businesses that receive a notice of intended levy action should pay close attention to the notice and its deadlines.

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Can IRS penalties be removed?

Certain IRS penalties may qualify for abatement under specific circumstances. Eligibility depends on factors such as the type of penalty, the taxpayer's history, and the reason the tax obligation was not satisfied. Penalty relief is not automatic.

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What happens if a business does not pay payroll taxes?

Unpaid employment taxes can result in penalties and IRS collection activity. In certain situations involving trust fund taxes, the IRS may also investigate whether particular individuals may be personally responsible for certain unpaid amounts.

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What should I do if I have several years of unfiled tax returns?

Determine which returns are outstanding and address the filing requirements as part of resolving the larger IRS problem. Because the appropriate approach depends on the circumstances, businesses with multiple unfiled returns may benefit from professional legal and tax guidance.

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Does The Alford Law Firm handle Texas state tax problems?

Yes. Click here to learn more about our Dallas tax attorney services.

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Get Help With an IRS Tax Problem

IRS problems generally become more difficult when notices and deadlines are ignored. If your business is dealing with back taxes, payroll taxes, an IRS lien or levy, penalties, unfiled returns, or another federal tax issue, The Alford Law Firm can help you understand your options.

 

Contact The Alford Law Firm, PLLC to schedule a consultation with Dallas IRS tax attorney Bruce Alford.