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Offers in Compromise

The Offer in Compromise (OIC) program is one of the best tax resolution tools available to taxpayers. It allows taxpayers to settle their taxes for less – or often much less – than owed, or than what the government claims is owed. We have extensive expertise in planning, preparing, negotiating, and even appealing rejections of Offers in Compromise. Since 1997, we have saved millions of dollars for our clients through the Offer in Compromise program.

Our edge comes from knowing and carefully navigating virtually every key regulation of the Offer in Compromise program. Additionally, we have established very good working relationships with the IRS when it comes to settling tax debts.

How Offer In Compromise Works

The Internal Revenue Code authorizes the IRS to accept less than the full amount of tax liability owed in any civil or criminal case arising under the tax laws before the case is referred to the Department of Justice. For an OIC to be accepted, the taxpayer must establish to the satisfaction of the IRS that either: they have no means of paying the tax, or they do not actually owe the tax.

The IRS will accept an OIC when it is unlikely that the tax liability can be collected in full, and the amount of the OIC reasonably reflects the collection potential. An OIC serves as a legitimate alternative to declaring a case as currently not collectible or agreeing to a protracted installment agreement. The goal is to achieve the collection of what is potentially collectible at the earliest possible time and at the least cost to the government.

An OIC can be a final solution to your tax debt problems.

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"You should never meet or deal with the IRS alone. Similar to being represented in court, the IRS has a complex set of laws and procedures that should always be handled by a competent and capable person who knows these laws"

Matt Browne, EA
Meet the Taxman Team

An Offer in Compromise Is Not an Amnesty Program

The IRS has the authority to settle or compromise federal tax liabilities by accepting less than the full amount under certain circumstances. To accept an Offer in Compromise and settle the liability, one of the following factors must be established:

  • The taxpayer cannot pay off the liability.
  • There is doubt that the taxpayer actually owes the liability.
  • The settlement would promote effective tax administration.

Incidentally, the IRS is not the only agency with an Offer in Compromise program. We have also helped our clients settle delinquent taxes owed to State taxing agencies.