Notices and proposed changes
Review correspondence, deadlines, tax calculations, and the records needed to support a response.
Taxpayer Representation
IRS Representation
Professional support for understanding IRS correspondence, protecting deadlines, and developing an organized response.
An IRS notice can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it rarely improves the situation. The first priorities are to identify the issue, preserve response rights, verify the IRS information, and determine what documentation or procedural step is required.
IRS Matters That May Require Representation
Examinations and audits
Organize information, communicate with the IRS, and present relevant facts and documentation.
Collection matters
Evaluate balances, notices, financial information, and potentially available collection alternatives.
Penalties and appeals
Assess whether penalty relief, reconsideration, or administrative appeal may be appropriate under the circumstances.
Why Work With an Enrolled Agent?
Enrolled Agents are federally authorized tax practitioners with unlimited practice rights before the IRS. That means they may represent taxpayers in matters involving examinations, collections, and appeals, subject to federal rules and the terms of the engagement.
What To Do When an IRS Letter Arrives
- Read the entire notice. Identify the tax year, issue, proposed change, payment amount, and response deadline.
- Do not assume the notice is correct. Compare it with the filed return and available records.
- Preserve the envelope and attachments. Dates and enclosures can matter.
- Respond through the appropriate channel. A phone call alone may not protect formal appeal or petition rights.
What Representation Does Not Mean
Representation does not guarantee that the IRS will remove tax, penalties, or interest. It provides an organized process for evaluating the facts, communicating professionally, and presenting available legal and procedural options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call the IRS immediately?
Not always. First review the notice and relevant return. Calling without understanding the issue can create confusion or result in incomplete information being provided.
Can an Enrolled Agent communicate with the IRS for me?
Generally, yes, after the appropriate authorization is completed and accepted for the matter involved.
What documents are usually needed?
The notice, the relevant tax return, IRS account information when available, and supporting records related to the disputed item or collection issue.
What happens if a deadline has already passed?
Options may still exist, but they may be more limited. Prompt review is important because different notices carry different administrative and court deadlines.
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