Understanding the IRS Collection Process Most IRS collection cases don’t begin with a bank levy. They begin with a letter. In fact, the IRS typically sends multiple notices before taking serious collection action. Each notice represents another opportunity to resolve the problem before penalties increase, collection options become more limited, or enforcement begins. Unfortunately, many…

Your Taxes Change, Too. The wedding is over. The gifts are opened. The photos are posted. Life starts settling into a new routine. But there are a few tax changes after marriage that should not wait until filing season. Getting married can change your filing status, tax withholding, address records, and even how much tax…

A new savings option for children is officially here. Trump Accounts are a new type of individual retirement account created to give children an early start on long-term saving. Parents and guardians can now elect to establish an account for an eligible child, and contributions began July 4, 2026. The idea is simple. Start earlier….

Most people assume the IRS holds all the power. The truth is, you have rights too. In 2014, Congress directed the IRS to adopt a Taxpayer Bill of Rights—a straightforward list of ten fundamental rights designed to ensure every taxpayer is treated fairly. Whether you’ve received an IRS notice, owe back taxes, are facing an…

You May Have Paid Too Much. The Records Matter Now. The conversation around COVID-era IRS penalties has changed quickly. The Kwong case has raised an important question for taxpayers: were certain IRS penalties and interest properly assessed during the COVID disaster period? For many taxpayers, the answer is not simple. Refunds are not automatic. Eligibility…

Most people assume IRS debt lasts forever. That’s not always true. The IRS has several programs that may reduce, settle, or resolve tax debt for qualifying taxpayers. The problem is that many people hear the phrase “IRS debt forgiveness” and assume it means the government simply erases tax balances. That’s rarely how it works. Real…

A New Federal Tax Credit Is Coming. Most Taxpayers Haven’t Heard About It Yet. The IRS recently announced that Texas is among the states participating in the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill. Beginning in 2027, eligible taxpayers may be able to claim a federal tax credit…

For many taxpayers, the COVID years were filled with uncertainty. Businesses faced shutdowns, individuals experienced financial hardship, and tax deadlines shifted in ways few people had ever seen before. Now, a case known as Kwong v. United States is attracting attention because it may affect taxpayers who paid certain IRS penalties during that period. While…

Most taxpayers have never seen their IRS transcript. That’s a mistake. An IRS account transcript may be the single most important document in your tax file. It tells the story of your IRS account—when returns were filed, when taxes were assessed, when penalties were added, when payments were applied, and sometimes, when important deadlines begin….

You’ve probably seen headlines about the Kwong v. United States case and the possibility that some taxpayers could be entitled to refunds of IRS penalties and interest assessed during the COVID-era disaster relief period. The attention is understandable. It sounds simple. If the courts ultimately uphold the interpretation at the center of the case, millions…

You’ve heard the commercials. “Settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar!” It sounds simple. Call a company. Fill out a form. Watch the IRS forgive most of what you owe. If only it worked that way. The truth is that an Offer in Compromise (OIC) is one of the most powerful IRS programs…

When most people think about taxpayer rights, they often focus on audits, appeals, or payment options. However, one of the most important protections available to taxpayers is often overlooked: the Right to Be Informed. According to the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Bill of Rights, every taxpayer has the right to know what they need to…