To many people, the IRS is like the “boogeyman.” Part legend, part myth; but every bit as scary as one’s childhood fears. Part of this is because the federal government’s vast power to collect on past due taxes. The other is that there are so many stories of IRS agents seizing property and freezing assets. In fact, stories abound of celebrities and rich elites being brought down by the IRS. So when it comes to a person of average income, there are a number of things to know.
This post will highlight a few.
Don’t ignore notifications from the IRS – While some notices are sent via certified mail, there are a number of communications that are sent by regular U.S. Mail. Indeed, the IRS will not call you (like those robo-calls that people complain about), but mail should not be ignored, even if it potentially may be bad news.
The IRS must operate under due process – While there are legendary stories about the IRS seizing property and freezing assets, the simply cannot do these things on a whim. Instead, it cannot take action without a court order, which means that you can challenge the IRS in tax court.
Consult a tax expert – An experienced tax attorney can evaluate your situation and help you understand your rights and options under the law. Indeed, the IRS is not going to tell you how to protect yourself, so you need skilled legal counsel in order to do your best against Uncle Sam. It may be the best hour of time you ever spent.