With the stakes so high, it’s surprising how little thought many people give to their taxes. All too often, people simply walk into a neighborhood storefront, hand over their most personal information and trust that the person on the other side of the desk will do the right thing. And that can mean trouble.
If you’re in hot water with the IRS because you chose the wrong tax preparer, you need a qualified tax resolution firm — and fast. Here are four tips to help you find the right one.
#1 Read their reviews online.
Online reviews can give you a good sense of a firm’s reputability, responsiveness and how they treat their clients overall. If you owe back taxes, for example, waiting weeks for a callback can cost you a significant amount of money. Even the most well-known firms that invest in huge marketing campaigns can have the worst customer reviews.
#2 Get to know their track record.
Negotiating with the IRS to settle your tax debt is a specialized skill, and not all tax professionals have it. Ask about their recent case settlements and success stories. A true tax resolution professional will have proof they’ve done this before.
#3 Ask about their communication process.
The IRS moves slowly, and there will likely be big gaps between their updates. But that doesn’t mean the tax firm you’re working with should go silent. The right firm will have systems in place to ensure you’re updated regularly. Find out their expected timeline and how you’ll be informed along the way.
#4 Avoid big firms that don’t deliver on personal attention.
You’ve seen their ads on TV and all over the internet. But if you call a big-name, national firm, you’ll likely get a salesperson who knows very little about taxes or how to settle your tax debt. They may promise you the moon on your initial call, but will fail to deliver because they didn’t take the time to understand your specific situation. They may not even be licensed tax resolution professionals. Find out who will be responsible for your case and try to speak with them directly before signing up.
Need tax relief? You’ve come to the right place
If you’re looking for a tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate tax resolution challenges, reach out to the professionals at Magone & Company. Call us today at (973) 301-2300, and we’ll schedule a confidential consultation to explain your options.