by Sandra Quevedo

Created on: April 15, 2009

How to deal with the IRS. The # 1 rule is: always, always, always, file your taxes no matter what your excuse is. Even if you miss the yearly April 15th tax deadline, or if you owe back taxes, there are many viable options, such as extensions, payment arrangements, etc.

Ignoring the IRS is not an option, in actuality, this is the worst thing anyone can do.

Dealing with the

IRS can be really intimidating. These three little letters [I.R.S] can cause havoc in peoples' lives. Knowing what I now, [after my own personal experience and stupidity, and I am not boasting about it, merely sharing the knowledge I have acquired through my own ordeal] I can say the earlier you get help, the better off you will be. I will go as far as suggesting that your first stop, with any tax related problem should be the IRS Tax Advocate Office. After all, they wrote the book so they can advise you on what needs to be done. Another choice is, hire professional help, I did.

My own personal experience has been terrifying. Yes, yes, yes, I know IRS agents are people too, but for the most part I would say that 70% of my dealings have been with some pretty intimidating agents.

My nightmare began when after having a minor stroke in 2002; I quit my job of 9 years and withdrew monies from my 401K to be able to survive. It is now 2008 and I continue to deal with the consequences of my ignorant actions. I have since, hired two tax firms to represent me in this ordeal. Neither one has been cheap, but this I see as an investment and a necessary evil for my "well-being."

The first one was a Tax Resolution Firm (ran by retired IRS agents) so lackadaisical about following up and meeting the IRS deadlines, that after nearly having a nervous breakdown, I (freaked out) ended up firing them, getting a refund (for fees I paid them for their services) and having to deal with the IRS myself. I cut a deal with the IRS [not a very good one] and once you do that, if you default on any IRS deals (even once,) you are just digging a bigger grave for yourself. They will tag on many, many other fees and double your payments.

The second is a Tax Attorney Firm in another state (I live in Miami, Florida but it was rated at the top of their game (you get help from actual attorneys and paralegals.) My dealings with this last firm [lately] have been somewhat stressful (only) because the IRS ultimately levied all of my bank accounts (including those I jointly have with my significant other) to the tune of $6K (back in February

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