Tax Problems >> Levies, Liens & Seizures >> IRS or State Seizure/Enforcement
Seizures
Unlike the wage or bank levy, which involve intangible assets such as your paycheck or bank account, a seizure is the taking of physical assets, such as your home or car. Seizures usually happen in aggravated cases when someone ignores many requests by the IRS over a long period of time to pay their outstanding taxes. A threat of seizure should not be taken lightly. The IRS and/or state taxing authorities may ultimately pursue your physical assets if the problem is not addressed. Many newspapers and television programs have reported citizens being forced out of their homes so they could be sold by the taxing authorities at auction. When the IRS or state taxing authorities seize your assets, they want to quickly sell them at auction so they can realize a collection against the balances due. When making a sale at auction, the taxing authorities often get less than the full value of your assets. The IRS or states could try to seize almost anything you own, including your home, cars, boats, jewelry, motorcycles, insurance polices, and even your retirement funds. Contact our office to find out how we may be able to assist you avoid this type of enforcement if it has been threatened against you.
Enforcement & Business Closure
One of the most serious stages of the IRS collection process is at the local Revenue Officer level. If the IRS has assigned your tax case to a Revenue Officer, then immediate representation may be needed in order to avoid continued or future enforcement. Generally, an IRS Revenue Officer will have the following objectives:
- To immediately establish payment compliance for current periods;
- To immediately establish full tax-filing compliance for any delinquent tax returns; and
- To acquire complete and accurate collection information statement(s) so a determination can be made about what can be paid toward the back tax debts owed.
If payment compliance for current periods and/or full tax-filing compliance is not immediately established, the IRS may use enforcement measures such as wage, bank account, receivables and/or property levies to try and inspire compliance. If the IRS makes a determination that future ongoing compliance is not possible, they may try to discontinue what they consider a failed business to eliminate the possibility of increased tax liabilities. Our firm regularly represents taxpayers and businesses before local Revenue Officers to satisfy the IRS's demands and to preserve the capability of businesses to continue well into the future. If you or your business is being pursued by an IRS Revenue Officer, please contact us to discuss the assistance that we can provide.
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