Tax Attorney or Tax Relief Service for help with Massive Delinquent Tax Bill for 2014-2017

[Dandy Don]

Generally speaking, you do not need to be overly concerned about working with any enrolled agent. Most are ethical, honest people who have the advantage of having inside knowledge about IRS procedures and thus can give you excellent guidance.

 

[LdiJ]

How do I find credible help? I googled for 'Enrolled Agents" and there are many claims. Is there a website that rates these places?

You really cannot easily google for enrolled agents. You can google for tax offices and you will find enrolled agents inside those tax offices. You particularly want to look for offices that are open year round, as those offices tend to have the most experienced people.

 

[FlyingRon]

As with most things, getting references (particularly from people you know) is usually the best bet.
Barring that, call around to those who profess tax knowledge and ask them if they handle these sorts of situations and if not, who they would recommend. Like I mentioned, a good place to start is anybody who prepares taxes who appears to be there 12 months a year, rather than crawling out of the woodwork in March.

 

[JohnSchmitz2020]

As with most things, getting references (particularly from people you know) is usually the best bet.
Barring that, call around to those who profess tax knowledge and ask them if they handle these sorts of situations and if not, who they would recommend. Like I mentioned, a good place to start is anybody who prepares taxes who appears to be there 12 months a year, rather than crawling out of the woodwork in March.

As with most things, getting references (particularly from people you know) is usually the best bet.
Barring that, call around to those who profess tax knowledge and ask them if they handle these sorts of situations and if not, who they would recommend. Like I mentioned, a good place to start is anybody who prepares taxes who appears to be there 12 months a year, rather than crawling out of the woodwork in March.

Should I call my local IRS office and ask them for the names of good Enrolled Agents?

 

[LdiJ]

Should I call my local IRS office and ask them for the names of good Enrolled Agents?

They don't know who is or isn't "good" most of the time. You might get a recommendation from a local IRS office. I know that a local person has recommended our office a time or two, just because we had direct contact with them on something.

 

[Taxing Matters]

They don't know who is or isn't "good" most of the time. You might get a recommendation from a local IRS office. I know that a local person has recommended our office a time or two, just because we had direct contact with them on something.

That IRS person violated IRS personnel rules in recommending your office or any other. IRS personnel are not supposed to express any opinion about any tax professional, good or bad.

 

[LdiJ]

That IRS person violated IRS personnel rules in recommending your office or any other. IRS personnel are not supposed to express any opinion about any tax professional, good or bad.

I did not know that. I am surprised that it happened then. I have had lots of clients say that the IRS told them that we made an error on their return, when we did not. I always put that down to an agent not wanting to deal with whatever the issue was. Maybe all/most of those clients were lying?

 

[davew9128]

Maybe all/most of those clients were lying?

But clients NEVER lie!

 

[LdiJ]

But clients NEVER lie!

Its amazing how many of them have their records taped to the ceiling of my office.

 

[Taxing Matters]

I did not know that. I am surprised that it happened then. I have had lots of clients say that the IRS told them that we made an error on their return, when we did not. I always put that down to an agent not wanting to deal with whatever the issue was. Maybe all/most of those clients were lying?

Telling the taxpayer that you, as the preparer, made a mistake on the return is a different matter. That is not recommending for or against using the services of any particular tax professional. In other words, if someone asks an IRS employee to recommend a tax service to use, the IRS employee cannot tell them "Go to XYZ firm, they are good." The IRS is not supposed to favor one firm over another nor does the IRS want to be in the position of endorsing firms. You can imagine the outrage of other firms if they perceive the IRS steering potential clients to one or a few select firms.

 

[JohnSchmitz2020]

I guess I'll start from here: https://www.naea.org/state-affiliates-1

 

[LdiJ]

I guess I'll start from here: https://www.naea.org/state-affiliates-1

That looks like a potentially good source. However, please make sure that you ask a lot of questions before you decide who to use. You want to make sure that they actually have experience in dealing with your sort of problem.

 

[JohnSchmitz2020]

That looks like a potentially good source. However, please make sure that you ask a lot of questions before you decide who to use. You want to make sure that they actually have experience in dealing with your sort of problem.

In the morning I'll try calling some of these people on (link removed)

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

In the morning I'll try calling some of these people on (link removed)

That is a MUCH more poor idea.

 

[LdiJ]

That is a MUCH more poor idea.

I agree. You aren't likely to find the best people on Craig's list.