As the old saying goes: When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Taxpayers with outstanding tax bills might be tempted by businesses who advertise and offer to help them reduce their tax debt. These businesses, often called Offer in Compromise mills, make huge claims about reducing unpaid taxes for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, these companies sometimes don’t deliver and charge large fees.
An Offer in Compromise with the IRS can help some taxpayers who can’t pay their tax bill.
An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles a tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The offer program gives eligible taxpayers a path toward paying off their debt when they otherwise couldn’t or would face financial hardship.
The OIC mills that are dishonest take advantage of taxpayers’ lack of knowledge to make a quick buck.
These OIC mills urge people to hire their company to file an OIC application, even though the taxpayer won’t qualify. They often charge big fees to prepare applications that they know the IRS will deny. This unfair practice wastes taxpayers’ time and money.
Taxpayers who do qualify for an OIC can get the same deal working directly with the IRS, without the extra fees.
The OIC mills that are dishonest are a problem all year long, but they step up their advertising after the filing season ends, when taxpayers are trying to resolve their tax issues.
Here’s what taxpayers considering an OIC should know:
- Individual taxpayers can use the IRS’s Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool to see if they’re eligible.
- When a taxpayer is ready to apply, they can watch an OIC video playlist that will lead them through the steps and forms to calculate an appropriate offer based on their assets, income, expenses and future earning potential.
- Taxpayers must make an offer based on their true ability to pay.
- Applying does not guarantee that the IRS will accept the taxpayer’s offer.
Finding reputable tax help
People who want help from a reputable tax profession can review Choosing a Tax Professional page on IRS.gov to find information about tax preparer credentials and qualifications. They can then use IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications to find a preparer by type of credential or qualification.