Find the Best Tax Relief in Cleveland, OH

How to Get Tax Debt Relief in Cleveland

If you owe back taxes to the IRS, you should take prompt action to avoid wage garnishments and other adverse actions. Tax relief companies use their experience with tax laws to represent your interests to the IRS and work to establish an installment agreement or negotiate a settlement on your behalf.

What types of tax relief are available in Cleveland?

One of the most popular tools for resolving tax debt in Cleveland is an offer in compromise (OIC). Under the IRS’s Fresh Start program, taxpayers may be eligible to settle their debt for a lesser amount than they owe. There are some basic requirements to qualify, and you must show that you are unable to pay the full amount of tax liability or that doing so would create a financial hardship.

The five requirements for filing an offer in compromise are:

• You must have filed all tax returns
• You must have received a bill for a tax debt
• If making estimated tax payments, they must be current
• Businesses with employees must be current on all federal deposits
• You must not have a pending bankruptcy

Other options for tax relief in Cleveland

If an OIC isn’t the right option for you, there are several other types of tax relief available. Some of the most popular options include:

• Installment agreements let you pay off your tax debt in monthly installments. You must owe less than $50,000 to qualify for an installment agreement, and the interest and penalties can add up to 8 to 10 percent a month.
• Tax penalty abatements waive a penalty the IRS has issued for missing a tax payment or failing to file returns on time.
• IRS appeals can be filed with the Office of Appeals, an organization within the IRS, if you disagree with the amount of taxes the agency states you owe. This process can take up to a year but is less expensive and faster than going to court.
• Under a release of wage garnishment , the IRS agrees to stop withholding part or all of your paycheck and applying it to your tax debt. To qualify for a release of wage garnishment, you must prove it is creating a financial hardship.

Most Cleveland tax relief companies require a minimum tax debt of $10,000, and the tax relief process lasts from several months to a year. Those entering an installment payment agreement may make monthly payments for several years until the debt is paid. Keep in mind that penalties and interest may continue to accrue over time.

If you owe state taxes, the Ohio Department of Taxation also has an OIC option. The agency may approve a compromise to settle the debt for a reduced amount based on:

• Financial hardship
• The likelihood that the debt can be collected
• Any “substantial probability” that a collected claim would result in a refund

How much does tax relief cost in Cleveland?

Tax resolution companies in Cleveland use various fee structures. The average cost for tax relief services is between $1,500 and $4,500 but varies with the complexity of the case and the amount owed to the IRS. A tax penalty abatement may cost less than $500, while an offer in compromise for a large debt may cost $8,000 or more.

Be sure to gain a clear understanding of your financial obligations. Typically, companies charge an initial fee and bill additional work at an hourly rate. Some companies may charge flat fees or base the cost on a percentage of the amount of debt you owe. Fees reflect the complexity of your situation; for example, the IRS usually requires more detailed documentation for large debts.

How to choose a tax relief company in Cleveland

Because of the cost and the potential consequences of owing back taxes to the IRS, it’s crucial to work with a reliable company that provides results. Customer reviews are an excellent source to check whether a company is known for diligent work and strong customer service.

Only enrolled agents, certified public accounts, or attorneys qualify to negotiate with the IRS as a third-party. Reputable companies are also likely to be members of professional organizations such as the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), American Academy of Attorney-CPAs (AAA-CPA) or National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP).

Be sure to verify the tax relief organization is legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission reports many consumers are victimized by unscrupulous schemes. Beware of any company that promises complete relief of all IRS debt or guarantees specific results — when it comes to tax relief, remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.