What industries do you specialize in?

We specialize in real estate investors/developers, construction companies and contractors, and high-income professionals needing proactive tax planning and CFO advisory.

Do you work with clients outside Michigan?

Yes. We serve clients nationwide through secure virtual meetings and a digital client portal.

Do you provide IRS tax resolution services?

Yes. Our IRS resolution work is delivered through FixIRSTax™, the IRS Resolution Division of Strategic Planning Advisors, led by a CPA and an EA.

Do you offer a complimentary strategy call?

Yes. We start with a short discovery call to confirm fit and outline next steps for tax planning, CFO advisory, or IRS resolution.

What credentials does your team hold?

Our leadership holds CPA (Certified Public Accountant), EA (Enrolled Agent), CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant), CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional), and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) credentials.

How long does the IRS resolution process take?

It depends on the complexity of your case. Payment plans typically take 4-8 weeks, Offer in Compromise cases take 6-9 months, and audit representation takes 3-6 months. Most cases resolve within 2-4 months from start to finish.

Can the IRS take my home, car, or business?

The IRS can seize property, but they rarely do. However, they will levy bank accounts, garnish wages, and place liens on property if you ignore the problem. Once you engage professional representation, the IRS typically pauses aggressive collection activity. We've never had a client lose their home or business while working with us.

What if I can't afford to pay anything right now?

You have several options including Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, Offer in Compromise (OIC), or a Partial Payment Installment Agreement. The key is don't ignore the IRS - even if you can't pay, we can negotiate protection.

What's the difference between a CPA and an Enrolled Agent?

Both can represent you before the IRS. CPAs have broad accounting expertise and focus on tax strategy and financial planning. Enrolled Agents are federally licensed by the IRS specifically for tax representation. Our advantage: Frank (CPA) + Lori (EA) = dual expertise in one team.

How much does IRS resolution cost?

Typical ranges: Back tax returns $500-$1,500 per year, Payment plans $2,500-$5,000, Offer in Compromise $5,000-$10,000+, Audit representation $3,000-$8,000+. We quote flat fees upfront with no hidden charges or hourly billing.

Will I ever have to talk to the IRS?

No. Once you hire us, we file a Power of Attorney (Form 2848) with the IRS. All IRS communication goes through us, and you never have to speak to an IRS agent unless you choose to.

I haven't filed taxes in years. Can you help?

Yes. This is one of the most common situations we handle. We prepare and file all missing returns, calculate your actual tax liability, set up a resolution, and build systems to keep you current going forward.

Can I settle my tax debt for pennies on the dollar?

Maybe, but not as dramatically as ads suggest. The IRS accepts only 25-40% of Offer in Compromise applications. You must prove you can't pay the full amount based on income, expenses, and assets. We'll tell you honestly whether you qualify and find the best solution for your situation.

I'm being audited. Should I be worried?

Not if you have professional representation. We handle both correspondence and field audits by reviewing your return, gathering documentation, preparing responses, negotiating with IRS examiners, and appealing unfavorable determinations if necessary.

FixIRSTax.com | Tax Resolution Division

Free Consultation

248-985-8100

Haven't Filed Taxes in Years?
We'll Fix It.

Missing tax returns don't go away. They get worse — penalties pile up, the IRS estimates your liability (always too high), and collection enforcement begins. Here's how we help you get compliant and back in control.

Why Missing Tax Returns Are Dangerous

You didn't file because you couldn't pay. Or life got in the way. Or your records were a mess. Whatever the reason, not filing makes everything worse.

Here's what happens when you don't file:

The IRS Files For You (Substitute For Return - SFR)

If you don't file, the IRS will eventually file a "Substitute For Return" (SFR) on your behalf. They use information from W-2s, 1099s, and other third-party sources.

The problem? The IRS gives you zero deductions. No business expenses. No dependents. No itemized deductions. No credits.

Result: Your tax liability is drastically overstated — often 2-3x what you actually owe.

Penalties Compound Every Month

Failure to File Penalty: 5% per month (up to 25% of taxes owed)
Failure to Pay Penalty: 0.5% per month
Interest: Compounds daily (currently ~8% annually)

Bottom line: A $20,000 tax bill can balloon to $35,000+ in just 3 years.

The IRS Escalates Collection

Once the IRS determines you owe taxes (from their SFR or your actual filing), they move through enforcement stages:

Notices and letters (increasingly urgent)
Tax liens (public record, damages credit)
Bank levies (freeze and seize your accounts)
Wage garnishment (25-70% of your paycheck)
Property seizure (rare, but possible)

You Can't Negotiate Until You're Compliant

The IRS won't negotiate payment plans, Offer in Compromise, or penalty abatement until all required tax returns are filed. Non-filing keeps you trapped.

How We File Your Back Tax Returns

We've filed thousands of back tax returns. Here's our proven process:

Pull Your IRS Transcripts

We request your official IRS transcripts (you don't have to contact the IRS). This tells us exactly which years are missing, what income the IRS has on file, and what they're claiming you owe.

Reconstruct Your Records

Missing receipts? Lost QuickBooks files? No problem. We reconstruct your financial records using:

Bank statements
Credit card statements
IRS wage and income transcripts
Industry benchmarks (if necessary)
Any documentation you do have

Prepare Accurate Returns

We prepare complete, accurate tax returns for each missing year. This includes claiming all legitimate deductions, credits, and adjustments the IRS didn't give you in their substitute return.

File and Replace SFR (if applicable)

We file your actual returns with the IRS. If they already filed a substitute return, your accurate filing replaces it — and your liability is recalculated (almost always lower).

Negotiate Resolution

Once you're compliant, we negotiate the best resolution for your situation: payment plan, Offer in Compromise, penalty abatement, or Currently Not Collectible status.

💡 "Compliance isn't punishment — it's power."

Once your returns are filed, you're no longer hiding. You're negotiating from a position of strength. The IRS takes you seriously. And resolution becomes possible.

Real Result: 3 Years Unfiled, $140K Estimated Debt

The Problem:

Real estate investor with 12 rental properties
Failed to file 2020, 2021, 2022 returns
IRS estimated liability: $140,000
Received Notice of Intent to Levy
Previous CPA retired, left incomplete records

What We Did:

Pulled IRS transcripts and reconstructed 3 years of rental income/expenses
Determined client qualified for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS)
Prepared and filed accurate returns with proper loss treatment
Applied for penalty abatement (reasonable cause due to CPA transition)

The Result:

Tax liability reduced from $140K to $94K (cost segregation + REPS)
Penalties abated: $18,000
Final payment plan: $1,306/month for 72 months
Levy released within 10 days

Timeline: 9 weeks from discovery call to signed installment agreement

"I thought I was going to lose everything. Frank and Lori didn't just file my returns — they gave me a plan I could actually live with."

Back Tax Returns: Your Questions Answered

What happens if I haven't filed taxes in years?

The IRS will eventually file a Substitute For Return (SFR) on your behalf, using W-2s and 1099s without any deductions or credits. This almost always results in a massively inflated tax bill. They'll then assess penalties (5% per month for failure to file, up to 25%), add interest, and begin enforcement actions (liens, levies, wage garnishment). In extreme cases, criminal charges are possible. The solution: File all missing returns immediately with professional help to establish accurate liability and stop the bleeding.

How many years of back taxes can the IRS collect?

The IRS generally requires you to file the past 6 years of returns to be considered compliant for negotiation purposes. However, they can (and often do) ask for more if there are significant unfiled years. Once tax is assessed, the IRS has 10 years to collect it (called the Collection Statute Expiration Date, or CSED). This 10-year clock can be extended or suspended if you're in certain agreements (Offer in Compromise, Currently Not Collectible status) or if the statute is tolled for other reasons.

Can I go to jail for not filing taxes?

Criminal prosecution for non-filing is extremely rare and typically reserved for cases involving intentional tax evasion, fraud, or very high dollar amounts combined with willful defiance. The IRS's primary goal is to collect revenue, not incarcerate people. That said, willful failure to file is technically a misdemeanor. Bottom line: If you file voluntarily (even late) and work toward resolution, criminal prosecution is highly unlikely. The risk increases if you ignore the problem for a decade or engage in fraudulent behavior.

How much does it cost to file back tax returns?

Professional back tax return preparation typically costs $500–$1,500 per year depending on complexity (business vs. individual, number of income sources, condition of records, etc.). If we need to reconstruct records or prepare complex schedules (rental properties, cost segregation, multi-state filings), costs may be higher. The investment is worth it: We often save clients thousands by calculating accurate liability (vs. IRS estimates), claiming legitimate deductions, and qualifying for penalty abatement.

What if I don't have any records?

Not a problem. We reconstruct your financial history using bank statements, credit card statements, IRS wage and income transcripts, and any partial records you do have. If necessary, we use industry benchmarks and reasonable estimation methods (the IRS allows this in certain situations). You don't need perfect records to file. You need a professional who knows how to piece together what you have and create defensible returns.

Will filing back returns trigger an audit?

Rarely. The IRS is more concerned with getting you compliant than auditing old returns. In fact, filing voluntarily (called a "voluntary disclosure") often works in your favor — it shows good faith and reduces the likelihood of penalties or criminal referral. If your returns are prepared accurately and supported by reasonable documentation, the risk of audit is minimal. Not filing is far riskier than filing late.

How long does it take to file back tax returns?

Typically 2–6 weeks depending on how many years need to be filed and the condition of your records. If we need to reconstruct extensive financial data or coordinate with multiple third parties (banks, former employers, etc.), it may take longer. Once returns are filed, the IRS takes 4–8 weeks to process them and update your account. The key: Start now. Every day you wait adds penalties and interest.

Can I still get a refund for old tax returns?

Maybe — but there's a 3-year deadline. You generally have 3 years from the original due date of the return to claim a refund. After that, the refund is forfeited (even if you're owed money). However, if you owe taxes for other years, the IRS will apply any old refunds to those balances. Example: If you're owed a $2,000 refund for 2020 but owe $10,000 for 2021, the IRS will apply the $2K to your 2021 debt.

Ready to Get Compliant?

The longer you wait, the worse it gets. Let's file your back taxes and get you back in control.

Schedule Your Free Discovery Call

📞 Or call: 248-985-8100

FixIRSTax.com | Tax Resolution Division

Address:

Clinton Township, Michigan

(248) 985-8100

[email protected]

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Disclaimer:

FixIRSTax | A Division of Strategic Planning Advisors LLC provides IRS resolution services. Information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute formal tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult your advisor before making financial decisions.

Information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute formal tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult your advisor before making financial decisions.

Haven't Filed Taxes in Years?We'll Fix It.