💰

Cost & Pricing

Yes, 100% free with zero obligation.

During your free 30-45 minute consultation, you'll get:

  • A thorough review of your IRS situation
  • Explanation of your available options
  • Clear assessment of what resolution is possible
  • Transparent pricing if you decide to move forward
  • Answers to all your questions
🔒 No Pressure Guarantee:

There's absolutely no pressure to hire us. Many people use the consultation just to understand their options and make informed decisions.

We understand financial hardship. Here's how we can help:

  1. Payment plans - Extended payment terms to make it affordable
  2. Priority services - We can handle the most urgent issues first, then address other matters later
  3. DIY guidance - For very simple cases, we may provide guidance so you can handle it yourself
  4. Cost-benefit analysis - We'll be honest if hiring us makes financial sense for your specific situation

Remember: The cost of doing nothing is almost always higher. IRS penalties and interest compound daily, and collection actions can devastate your finances.

⏱️

Process & Timeline

Timeline varies by resolution type:

⏰ Typical Timelines:
  • Emergency Levy Release: 3-7 days
  • Installment Agreement: 30-90 days
  • Penalty Abatement: 30-60 days
  • Currently Not Collectible Status: 45-90 days
  • Offer in Compromise: 6-12 months
  • Unfiled Returns + Resolution: 2-6 months
  • Audit Representation: 3-12 months

Important: We can often stop active collection actions (garnishments, levies) within 48-72 hours of engagement, even while the full resolution is being worked on.

⚠️ IRS Processing Delays:

The IRS currently has significant processing delays. While we work efficiently, some delays are outside our control. We stay on top of your case and follow up persistently with the IRS.

We follow a proven 3-phase process:

📋 Phase 1: DIAGNOSE (Days 1-7)
  • Free consultation to understand your situation
  • Request and review IRS transcripts
  • Analyze your financial situation
  • Identify the best resolution strategy
  • Stop immediate collection actions if needed
🎯 Phase 2: DESIGN (Weeks 2-4)
  • Prepare all necessary documentation
  • File any unfiled returns
  • Develop negotiation strategy
  • Submit resolution requests to IRS
  • Regular updates on progress
✅ Phase 3: DELIVER (Ongoing)
  • Negotiate directly with IRS on your behalf
  • Respond to all IRS correspondence
  • Handle any objections or issues
  • Secure final resolution agreement
  • Ensure compliance and close your case

You're involved as much or as little as you want. Many clients prefer to let us handle everything while they focus on their business and life.

We can start immediately - often within 24 hours of your consultation.

Our typical engagement timeline:

  1. Day 1: Free consultation (30-45 minutes)
  2. Day 1-2: You decide to move forward and sign engagement letter
  3. Day 2-3: We file Power of Attorney with IRS (allows us to represent you)
  4. Day 3-5: IRS processes POA and we gain access to your case
  5. Day 5+: Full resolution work begins
🚨 Emergency Cases:

For wage garnishments, bank levies, or imminent asset seizures, we can act even faster - often contacting the IRS the same day to request immediate relief.

No. Once you hire us, we handle all IRS communications.

After we file a Power of Attorney (Form 2848) on your behalf:

  • All IRS correspondence comes to us, not you
  • All phone calls are handled by our team
  • We negotiate directly with IRS agents
  • You never have to speak to the IRS unless you want to
✅ Your Role:

You only need to:

  • Provide us with requested documents
  • Respond to our questions
  • Approve final agreements

We handle all the stressful IRS interactions.

🛠️

Services & Solutions

Yes, you can negotiate with the IRS yourself. However, most taxpayers find it overwhelming and get worse outcomes.

Why professional representation usually wins:

  • IRS agents are trained negotiators - They know the rules better than you and are not on your side
  • Complex regulations - Tax code is 75,000+ pages; one missed opportunity costs thousands
  • Emotional stress - Fear and anxiety lead to poor decisions and accepting bad deals
  • Time commitment - Expect 40-100+ hours of work for a complex case
  • Penalty & interest keep adding up - DIY delays = more money owed
⚠️ Common DIY Mistakes We See:
  • Accepting payment plans that are too high
  • Missing out on penalty abatement opportunities
  • Submitting poorly prepared Offers in Compromise (rejected)
  • Providing too much information that hurts their case
  • Missing critical deadlines

When DIY might work: Very simple payment plan request on a small balance with straightforward finances. For anything complex, professional help typically saves 5-10x its cost.

An Offer in Compromise (OIC) allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed - sometimes pennies on the dollar.

📊 OIC Statistics:
  • The IRS accepts about 40% of properly prepared OICs
  • Average settlement: 15-20 cents per dollar owed
  • Process takes: 6-12 months

You may qualify if:

  • You cannot pay the full debt within the collection statute
  • Your assets and income are limited
  • You have reasonable necessary expenses
  • You're current with filing and estimated tax payments
  • You're not in an open bankruptcy proceeding

You likely WON'T qualify if:

  • You have significant equity in assets
  • Your income is high relative to necessary expenses
  • You can afford a reasonable payment plan
  • You're not current on filing requirements
✅ Our Approach:

During your free consultation, we'll run the IRS's calculation to see if you qualify. We only recommend OIC if you have a strong chance of acceptance. If not, we'll suggest better alternatives.

Yes, in many cases we can eliminate or reduce IRS penalties.

Common penalties we remove:

  • Failure to File Penalty (5% per month, up to 25%)
  • Failure to Pay Penalty (0.5% per month)
  • Accuracy-Related Penalties (20% of underpayment)
  • Late Deposit Penalties (payroll taxes)
  • Estimated Tax Penalties

How we get penalties removed:

  1. First-Time Abatement (FTA): If you have a clean compliance history (3+ years), the IRS will often remove penalties automatically
  2. Reasonable Cause: We show that failure to comply was due to circumstances beyond your control (illness, disaster, death, etc.)
  3. Statutory Exception: Prove you relied on incorrect IRS advice or had proper documentation
  4. Administrative Waiver: For certain automatic penalties that were applied incorrectly
💰 Typical Savings:

Penalty removal often saves 25-50% of the total amount owed. For a $50,000 tax debt, that's $12,500-$25,000 in savings - far more than our fee.

We help hundreds of clients catch up on unfiled returns every year. You're not alone, and it's fixable.

⚠️ Why This is Urgent:
  • The IRS can file returns for you (Substitute for Return) with ZERO deductions - you'll owe far more than you should
  • You cannot negotiate resolution until you're current on filing
  • Criminal prosecution risk increases after 6+ years unfiled
  • You may be owed refunds that you're forfeiting (3-year claim deadline)

Our unfiled returns process:

  1. Determine which years are required (typically 6 years for resolution)
  2. Gather your records (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, etc.)
  3. Reconstruct income and expenses (we can get IRS transcripts showing reported income)
  4. Prepare and file all returns
  5. Negotiate the resulting tax debt (payment plan, OIC, etc.)
✅ Relief Timeline:

Most clients feel immediate relief just from making the decision to fix this. The actual filing process takes 4-8 weeks, and then we move into resolution mode. You'll finally be able to sleep at night.

Yes! We handle both federal (IRS) and state tax issues.

State tax problems we resolve:

  • State income tax debt
  • State wage garnishments and levies
  • State tax liens
  • Unfiled state returns
  • State payment plans and settlements
  • State sales tax problems (for businesses)
  • State withholding tax issues

Important note: State tax authorities can be even more aggressive than the IRS. Many states have:

  • Shorter collection statute of limitations
  • Faster levy and garnishment processes
  • License suspension powers (driver's, professional, business)
  • Less flexible settlement options
🗺️ Multi-State Cases:

We frequently handle cases involving multiple states - common for people who've moved, worked remotely, or have businesses in multiple jurisdictions. We coordinate resolution across all jurisdictions simultaneously.

🎓

Our Qualifications

Our team is led by Frank Alcini (CPA) and Lori Alcini (EA), both licensed tax professionals with advanced certifications in tax resolution.

👨‍💼 Frank Alcini's Credentials:
  • CPA - Certified Public Accountant
  • CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner
  • CGMA - Chartered Global Management Accountant
  • CITP - Certified Information Technology Professional
  • CTRC - Certified Tax Representation Consultant
  • CTRS - Certified Tax Resolution Specialist
👩‍💼 Lori Alcini's Credentials:
  • EA - Enrolled Agent (highest credential awarded by the IRS)
  • CTRC - Certified Tax Representation Consultant
  • CTRS - Certified Tax Resolution Specialist

What this means for you:

  • We have unlimited practice rights before the IRS
  • We can represent you in all 50 states
  • We're bound by professional ethics and continuing education requirements
  • We have specialized training in IRS negotiation and resolution

CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys all have IRS representation authority, but there are key differences:

⚖️ When You Need Each Professional:

CPA or EA (like us):

  • Tax debt resolution and payment plans
  • Unfiled tax returns
  • Penalty abatement
  • IRS negotiations and settlements
  • Audit representation
  • Ongoing tax planning and compliance
  • Cost: Generally 30-50% less expensive than attorneys

Tax Attorney:

  • Criminal tax matters or fraud investigations
  • Tax court litigation
  • Complex legal issues beyond IRS matters
  • Attorney-client privilege protection
  • Cost: Typically $400-$600/hour vs. $150-$250/hour for CPA/EA

Our approach: We handle 95% of tax resolution cases effectively as CPA/EA. For the rare case requiring an attorney (criminal matters, tax court), we'll tell you upfront and can refer you to trusted legal partners.

💡 Best Value:

For standard IRS resolution work, CPAs and EAs provide the same representation authority as attorneys at a fraction of the cost. We also bring deep tax accounting expertise that many attorneys lack.

We've successfully resolved over 1,000 IRS cases for individuals and businesses nationwide.

Our experience includes:

  • Taxpayers owing $5,000 to $5+ million
  • All types of IRS problems (wage garnishments, liens, unfiled returns, audits, etc.)
  • Simple W-2 employees to complex business owners
  • Single tax year issues to 10+ years of problems
  • Real estate investors, contractors, self-employed professionals, and small businesses
🏆 Results We're Proud Of:
  • Settled a $850,000 debt for $12,000 (OIC)
  • Removed $185,000 in penalties through first-time abatement
  • Stopped wage garnishments in under 48 hours (countless times)
  • Filed 15+ years of unfiled returns and negotiated affordable payment terms
  • Successfully represented clients in complex audits with zero change to tax liability

Every case is unique, but our track record speaks to our expertise and dedication to getting the best possible outcome for each client.

Yes! We provide tax resolution services nationwide.

Federal (IRS) Representation:

  • CPAs and Enrolled Agents have unlimited practice rights before the IRS
  • We can represent you in all 50 states for federal tax matters
  • Physical location doesn't matter - all IRS work is done remotely anyway

State Tax Representation:

  • Most states accept CPA and EA representation
  • We're experienced with state authorities across the country
  • For states with unique licensing requirements, we work with local partners if needed
🗺️ Remote Service Advantage:

The IRS operates primarily by mail, fax, and phone. Location doesn't limit our ability to represent you effectively. In fact, we've found that specialized tax resolution firms often deliver better results than local generalist accountants, regardless of location.

🚨

Emergency Situations

Yes - in most cases we can get wage garnishments released within 3-7 business days.

⚠️ How Wage Garnishments Work:

The IRS can take up to 70-80% of your paycheck once a levy is in place, leaving you with only a small allowable amount based on your filing status and dependents. This can devastate your finances immediately.

Our emergency garnishment release process:

  1. Day 1: Free consultation - we assess your situation
  2. Day 1-2: You sign engagement letter and Power of Attorney
  3. Day 2-3: We contact IRS and file POA (they now deal with us, not you)
  4. Day 3-7: We negotiate levy release by:
    • Setting up an installment agreement
    • Proving economic hardship (Currently Not Collectible)
    • Showing the levy is causing undue hardship
    • Demonstrating good faith effort to resolve
  5. Ongoing: Work toward long-term resolution
✅ Success Rate:

We have a 95%+ success rate stopping wage garnishments. The key is acting immediately - every day you wait is another paycheck garnished.

Don't wait: If your wages are being garnished or you've received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, contact us TODAY. Time is critical.

You have 21 days to act before the bank sends the money to the IRS.

⚠️ URGENT - 21-Day Timeline:
  1. Day 1: IRS sends Notice of Levy to your bank
  2. Day 1-21: Your account is frozen (you can't access the funds)
  3. Day 22: Bank sends the money to the IRS if no action is taken

Once the money is sent (after day 21), it's extremely difficult to get back.

How we get bank levies released:

  • Economic hardship claim: Show that the levy is preventing you from meeting basic living expenses
  • Immediate installment agreement: Set up payment plan to release the levy
  • Currently Not Collectible status: Prove you genuinely cannot pay
  • Levy appeal: File Form 9423 (Collection Appeal Request) if appropriate
⏰ Timeline for Relief:

If you contact us within the first 10 days of the levy, we have a very high success rate getting the levy released before day 21. The sooner you act, the better your chances.

CRITICAL: If you've received a bank levy notice, call us immediately at (248) 985-8100. Every day counts.

Asset seizures are rare but serious. If you've received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing (Letter 1058 or LT11), you need to act within 30 days.

⚠️ What the IRS Can Seize:
  • Your home or real estate
  • Your vehicles
  • Business equipment and inventory
  • Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
  • Investment accounts
  • Future income and commissions

Your options to prevent seizure:

  1. Collection Due Process Hearing (30 days):
    • File Form 12153 within 30 days of the Final Notice
    • This STOPS all collection activity during the hearing process
    • You get an independent hearing before an Appeals Officer
    • Opportunity to propose alternative resolution
  2. Immediate Payment Arrangement:
    • Set up installment agreement or partial payment plan
    • Generally stops seizure threats immediately
  3. Offer in Compromise:
    • Propose settlement for less than full amount
    • Freezes collection during review (6-12 months)
  4. Currently Not Collectible Status:
    • Prove you cannot pay without causing hardship
    • IRS suspends collection activity
✅ Critical Deadline:

You have 30 days from the Final Notice date to request a Collection Due Process hearing. This is your strongest protection. Don't miss this deadline!

Act immediately: Call us at (248) 985-8100 if you've received any "Final Notice" or "Notice of Intent to Levy." We'll explain your options and take immediate action to protect your assets.

It depends on the letter type. Some IRS notices are informational; others require immediate action.

🚨 URGENT - Act Immediately:
  • CP504 or LT11/1058: Final Notice before Levy (30 days to respond)
  • CP90 or CP297: Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Your Right to a Hearing (30 days)
  • LT1058 or Letter 1058: Final Notice before wage/bank levy (30 days)
  • Notice of Federal Tax Lien Filing: Lien has been filed (damages credit immediately)
  • Summons: You're required to appear or provide documents (don't ignore!)
  • Revenue Officer Assignment: A field agent is now assigned to your case
⚠️ IMPORTANT - Respond Within Deadline:
  • Audit notices (CP2000, CP2501): 30 days to respond
  • CP501, CP502, CP503: Balance due notices (not final, but getting close)
  • Notice of Intent to Terminate Installment Agreement: 30 days to cure default
✅ Informational - Review But Less Urgent:
  • CP14: First balance due notice
  • CP21/CP22: Changes to your return
  • CP49: Balance due from changes to your return

When in doubt, call us: Forward a copy of any IRS letter to our team. We'll tell you exactly how urgent it is and what action is needed. Our free consultation includes IRS letter review.

General Questions

Yes. Absolutely everything is 100% confidential.

Legal protections in place:

  • Accountant-Client Privilege: As CPAs and EAs, we're bound by strict confidentiality rules under federal law (IRC Section 7525)
  • Professional Ethics: Violating confidentiality would result in loss of our licenses
  • IRS Circular 230: Governs our professional conduct and confidentiality obligations
🔒 What This Means:
  • We cannot share your information with anyone without your written permission
  • Your spouse, family, friends, employer - no one will know unless you tell them
  • Even in our office, only team members working on your case have access to your information
  • All communications are protected

Be completely honest with us. We can't help you effectively if you hide information. We've heard it all - nothing shocks us. Our job is to get you the best outcome, not to judge you.

Sometimes we discover the actual amount owed is different (higher or lower) than what clients initially thought.

Why this happens:

  • You may be confusing the original tax with penalties and interest
  • The IRS filed substitute returns with no deductions (showing inflated amounts)
  • Penalties and interest have been adding up for years
  • Multiple tax years are combined
  • You haven't received recent IRS statements
✅ Good News:

Often, we actually reduce the amount owed because:

  • We file corrected returns claiming deductions you missed
  • We remove penalties (25-50% of total debt)
  • We identify credits you're entitled to
  • We correct IRS errors (surprisingly common)

Regardless of the final amount, we'll:

  • Give you the exact figure upfront (no surprises)
  • Explain how we calculated it
  • Show you the best resolution options
  • Never pressure you to move forward if you're not comfortable

Knowing the truth - even if it's uncomfortable - is better than living in fear and uncertainty.

Almost never. The IRS cannot put you in jail simply for owing taxes you cannot pay.

✅ Civil vs. Criminal Tax Matters:

Civil tax debt (99.9% of cases):

  • You owe taxes but made honest mistakes or fell on hard times
  • The IRS treats this as a civil matter
  • Worst case: wage garnishment, bank levy, property seizure
  • No jail time for civil tax debt
⚠️ Criminal Tax Matters (Very Rare):

Criminal prosecution may occur if you:

  • Tax evasion: Deliberately hide income or assets to avoid paying taxes
  • Tax fraud: File false returns, claim fake deductions, use fake SSNs
  • Failure to file (willful): Deliberately refuse to file for 6+ years despite repeated IRS contact and ability to pay
  • Employment tax theft: Withhold employee taxes but don't pay them to IRS (trust fund recovery penalty)

The vast majority of our clients have civil tax debt, not criminal issues. If you:

  • Filed returns (even if you couldn't pay the balance)
  • Didn't deliberately lie or hide income
  • Want to make things right now

...then you have nothing to worry about regarding criminal prosecution.

🛡️ If Criminal Investigation Is Suspected:

We'll be honest with you during consultation if we see any red flags that could trigger criminal investigation. In those rare cases, we'll refer you to a qualified tax attorney who specializes in criminal tax defense. But again, this is extremely rare.

The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect tax debt. This is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED).

⏰ How the 10-Year Clock Works:
  • Starts: When the IRS "assesses" the tax (usually April 15 of the year after you filed, or when the IRS files a Substitute for Return)
  • Ends: 10 years later (debt is legally uncollectible after this)
  • Example: You filed your 2020 return on April 15, 2021. The IRS has until April 15, 2031 to collect.

Actions that EXTEND the 10-year clock:

  • Offer in Compromise submission: Adds the review time + 30 days
  • Collection Due Process hearing: Adds the time the hearing is pending
  • Bankruptcy filing: Adds the time in bankruptcy + 6 months
  • Living outside the U.S.: Adds time lived abroad for 6+ months
  • Installment agreement: May extend the clock in some cases
  • Innocent spouse relief request: Adds the review time
⚠️ Common Misconception:

"I'll just wait out the 10 years." This rarely works because:

  • The IRS is aggressive in the final 2-3 years (levies, garnishments, seizures)
  • The clock pauses/extends for various actions (see above)
  • Your life is on hold for a decade (wage garnishments, liens destroying credit)
  • Penalties and interest continue adding up

Strategic use of CSED: In some cases, if you're close to the expiration date and can't afford payment, a "wait it out" strategy combined with Currently Not Collectible status may make sense. We'll evaluate this during your consultation.

✅ Our Recommendation:

Don't rely on the statute of limitations. The emotional toll, financial damage from collection actions, and uncertainty aren't worth it. Proactive resolution almost always results in better outcomes - and peace of mind years sooner.

Working with us doesn't affect your credit. However, IRS actions can damage your credit significantly.

⚠️ What DOES Hurt Your Credit:
  • Federal Tax Liens: Major negative impact (similar to bankruptcy)
  • Reported to all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
  • Can drop your credit score by 100+ points
  • Makes it nearly impossible to get loans, mortgages, or rent apartments
  • Lien stays on credit report for 7 years after it's released
✅ What DOESN'T Hurt Your Credit:
  • Simply owing the IRS (not reported to credit bureaus)
  • IRS installment agreements (not reported)
  • Wage garnishments (not directly reported, but employer knows)
  • Bank levies (not reported)
  • Hiring a tax resolution firm (not reported)

How we help protect your credit:

  • Prevent tax liens: By resolving your debt before the IRS files a lien
  • Get existing liens withdrawn: Possible through certain payment arrangements or Offer in Compromise
  • Negotiate lien subordination: Allows you to refinance or sell property despite the lien
  • Quick resolution: The faster we resolve your case, the less chance of a lien being filed
💡 Lien Withdrawal Programs:

If you enter into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement, the IRS may withdraw (remove) a filed tax lien. This can help your credit recover much faster. We'll evaluate your eligibility for lien withdrawal during resolution.

Bottom line: Getting your IRS issues resolved quickly actually protects your credit by preventing liens and other collection actions. Delaying action puts your credit at risk.

Life happens, and the IRS understands this (to some extent). If you miss a payment, don't panic - but do act quickly.

⚠️ Consequences of Default:
  • The IRS can terminate your installment agreement after 30 days of default
  • Once terminated, collection actions can resume (levies, garnishments)
  • You'll need to reinstate the agreement or set up a new one
  • Penalties and interest continue accumulating

What to do if you're going to miss a payment:

  1. Contact us immediately - The sooner we know, the more we can do
  2. Make a partial payment if possible - Shows good faith
  3. Request agreement modification - We can request lower payments if your financial situation changed
  4. Request short-term delay - The IRS may grant a brief postponement
  5. Switch to Currently Not Collectible - If you genuinely can't pay due to hardship
✅ Reinstatement:

If your agreement defaults, we can often reinstate it within 30 days by:

  • Paying the missed payment(s)
  • Filing Form 9465 or contacting the IRS
  • Explaining the circumstances

Reinstatement is much easier than setting up a new agreement from scratch.

Our ongoing support: Even after your agreement is set up, we remain available to help if you hit a rough patch. Many clients keep us on retainer for ongoing compliance and support. We're here for the long term.

💡 Pro Tip - Direct Debit:

Set up automatic payments (Direct Debit Installment Agreement) from your bank account. This:

  • Reduces your payment amount (lower user fee)
  • Prevents missed payments
  • May qualify for lien withdrawal
  • Gives you peace of mind

You can call the IRS yourself, but most people who try quickly realize why professional representation exists.

⚠️ Reality of Calling the IRS:
  • Wait times: Often 45 minutes to 2+ hours on hold
  • Wrong information: IRS employees give conflicting or incorrect advice (they're not liable for mistakes)
  • No continuity: You'll speak to different people each time who have no context
  • Limited authority: Phone representatives can't approve complex resolutions
  • Intimidation: IRS agents are trained to maximize collection, not help you
  • You might say too much: Information you share can hurt your case

When DIY might work:

  • Very simple payment plan on small balance (under $10K)
  • Straightforward payment setup
  • You owe only one tax year
  • No complicating factors (liens, levies, unfiled returns)
  • You have the time and patience to navigate the bureaucracy

When you definitely need professional help:

  • Active collection actions (garnishments, levies)
  • Offer in Compromise
  • Penalty abatement (first-time or reasonable cause)
  • Multiple tax years owed
  • Unfiled tax returns
  • Business tax problems
  • Audit or examination
  • Complex financial situation
  • Disputes about amount owed
✅ Value of Professional Representation:
  • We know the rules better than IRS agents - Many agents are seasonal employees with limited training
  • We get better outcomes - Because we know which arguments work
  • You save time - We handle all phone calls, paperwork, and follow-up
  • You reduce stress - You never talk to the IRS again
  • You avoid costly mistakes - One error can cost 10x our fee
  • We level the playing field - The IRS takes us more seriously than individual taxpayers

Our honest advice: Try calling the IRS yourself for simple matters. But if you're getting nowhere after 2-3 calls, or if your situation is complex, hire us. We'll resolve in weeks what might take you months (or never get resolved at all).

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