What actually happens in a tax consultation?
It is a conversation, not a sales pitch. You tell us what happened: the years you missed, the balance on the last notice, whether anything has been taken from a paycheck or a bank account. We read the notices with you and put them in order, because balance-due notices follow a set sequence, and where you are in it decides how much time you have.
The aim is that you leave knowing three things: roughly what you owe once penalties and interest are counted, what the IRS can legally do next, and which options are worth a closer look. If you hire us after that, we take it from there. If you decide to handle it yourself, you still leave with a plan.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
The more paper you bring, the more specific the answer. A rough list:
- Every IRS or state notice, including envelopes you have not opened. The notice number sits in the top or bottom right corner (CP14, CP504, LT11 and so on).
- The last tax return you filed, and a list of any years you have not filed.
- Recent pay stubs, or a rough monthly income figure if you are self-employed.
- A rough idea of monthly rent or mortgage, car payment, utilities and insurance.
- Any payment plan, levy notice or letter from your employer about a wage levy.
No letters at all? You can still see your balance and payment history in your IRS Online Account, and you can order account transcripts through Get Transcript.
Will talking to you alert the IRS?
No. A consultation is private and nothing goes to the IRS. We only contact the IRS for you after you sign Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, which lets an eligible representative act for you and see your tax records.