Stand Up to the IRS

Stand Up to the IRS reveals IRS tactics and how to deal with them.

If you run into problems with the IRS, your best strategy is to be prepared, not scared. Stand Up to the IRS explains your rights, what to expect, and how to prepare yourself for any dealings with the IRS. With this information you can also learn how to lower your audit risk. This book has practical advice and strategies for avoiding problems with the IRS. It also explains your rights as a taxpayer, how to handle collection efforts, and what to do if you are audited.

Unlike narrow guides focused on a single topic, this book provides comprehensive coverage of all IRS issues in one resource. It addresses audits, collections, appeals, Tax Court, bankruptcy, criminal investigations, penalties, interest, liens, levies, Offers in Compromise, payment plans, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, and more. This comprehensive approach means readers don't need multiple books to understand their various IRS problems.

Stand Up to the IRS also includes a chapter on owed state income taxes, collection procedures, and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights at the state level, recognizing that taxpayers often face both federal and state issues simultaneously. The book also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section addressing the 25 most common IRS questions in a quick-reference format, along with an updated IRS penalty chart that helps readers understand what penalties they might face. The book also provides practical negotiation strategies that readers can use when dealing with revenue officers, appeals officers, and IRS collectors, including what to say, what not to say, and how to protect rights during these interactions.

With real-world examples and sample forms, the practical tools in Stand Up to the IRS enable readers to immediately apply the strategies to their own situations. The book provides insights into how divisions work, what auditors look for, how collection decisions are made, and strategies that tax professionals use. Additionally, this book addresses both civil IRS problems and criminal tax investigations, including what to do if approached by an IRS special agent--a critical distinction that could protect taxpayers' rights in serious situations.