WASHINGTON — The Nationwide Transportation Security Board came down challenging on the Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration right after the board located that a fatigued driver of a milk-hauling tank truck was abusing the hours-of-company agriculture exemption — with minimal oversight of the exemption from FMCSA — when he was included in a lethal crash.
The NTSB satisfied on Tuesday to discuss the results and employees tips of an investigation into the multivehicle crash on June 9, 2021, that killed 4 individuals and hurt 11.
“Unfortunately, the FMCSA lacks the information relating to how many agriculture-exempt carriers exist, and has no figures pertaining to their crash amount or severity of crashes,” Michael Fox, an NTSB team member, advised the board.
“The use of the exemption was by no means intended to be an unmonitored operation. Workers found that thanks to confined oversight and lack of checking of motor carriers’ operation under the ag exemption, the extent to which these motor carriers operate further than classic hours-of-company limits — which can improve the chance of fatigued operation by a driver — is unclear.”
Fox cited exploration demonstrating that motorists who function following 10 hrs of driving have a 3.5 occasions larger crash rate than those people running within the initial hour. “Surprisingly although, drivers working underneath the agriculture exemption could work unlimited hours” within the exemption’s 150-mile radius.
“That’s astounding,” responded NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “And we don’t even know seemingly who’s doing that, since we don’t track them so we have no idea who’s working with [the exemption]. Which is ridiculous to me.”
The accident concerned a 49-12 months-aged truck driver who was hauling a totally loaded 2015 Walker stainless devices tank trailer less than the exemption from a neighborhood dairy to the United Dairymen of Arizona cooperative plant in the vicinity of Phoenix. A hearth resulted just after the driver, traveling at in excess of 60 mph in a 2016 Freightliner, plowed into a queue of slowed visitors. A complete of eight automobiles had been involved in the collision.
Investigators discovered the driver experienced considerably less than a 6-hour chance for slumber the day of the crash and consistently labored 70-80 hrs for each week.
“Although exempted from hrs of provider, Arizona Milk Transport did not have a application to take care of driver tiredness,” in accordance to NTSB. “The investigation uncovered the firm experienced poor oversight above its motorists and did not implement its own guidelines relating to the highest hours workers could perform.”
As a outcome of the investigation, NTSB advisable that the U.S. Department of Transportation “develop and apply a program to ascertain the prevalence of for-seek the services of motor carriers operating below agricultural HOS exemptions and review their basic safety effectiveness, and to report the findings and any tips to make improvements to security to Congress.”
The agency further more advised that DOT have to have interstate motor carriers functioning below an agricultural HOS exemption to “implement a tiredness management program or, if necessary, seek out congressional authority to do so.”
Also cited as contributing to the crash was a closing rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission in 2021 that ordered states to terminate the use of a band of wireless frequency for these issues as collision avoidance technological know-how so that it could be deployed in its place for other commercial works by using.
“Had some of the motor vehicles in the crash been outfitted with the technological know-how, the units may well have been alerted early sufficient that the collision might have been mitigated or prevented entirely,” in accordance to NTSB staff members. “A well known position by the FCC and USDOT is wanted to assure an optimal ecosystem for related car or truck deployment with enough security spectrum obvious of interference.”
NTSB suggested that the National Freeway Traffic Security Administration develop standards for ahead collision avoidance units in business vehicles and mandate connected car or truck technological know-how on all new cars.
NTSB also voted to reclassify two suggestions to DOT and the FCC connected to connected car or truck or auto-to-anything implementation.
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A group of area lawmakers are proposing state laws intended to give the Metropolis of Pittsburgh the power to far better take care of property taxes in neighborhoods the place longtime inhabitants are at threat of currently being priced out.
The area has seasoned immediate economic growth and improved enhancement in latest many years, much of it concentrated in neighborhoods including Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Garfield. For some who have owned households in those people areas for many years, the increasing home values have come with higher house taxes they just can’t generally afford.
The proposed laws would amend a point out regulation to allow for second class towns like Pittsburgh to produce a extended-time owner occupant tax exemption application (also recognised as LOOP). The software would freeze home taxes for house owners who meet up with particular criteria, which includes possessing and living in their properties for a designated period of time of time — normally wherever from 5 to 15 decades. Philadelphia has a similar plan in location.
At a push convention in Bloomfield on Wednesday, Democratic point out Sen. Jay Costa mentioned the laws is just portion of a much larger discussion close to economical housing in the Pittsburgh area. He pointed out a lot of people at possibility of currently being pushed out by large house taxes are the extremely men and women that made neighborhoods like Bloomfield appealing in the very first area.
“The bottom line is, we are seeking to choose techniques to make certain that people are capable to keep in their houses, notably in the communities in the neighborhoods that they have resided in for so very long,” Costa claimed.
Costa attempted to move the laws two times in advance of, but claimed it obtained pushed aside in favor of other housing programs, like the Whole Properties Maintenance Act.
Present-day condition law permits next class counties to create their have programs that would defer or exempt tax boosts. Allegheny County has tried using to build such a application right before. In 1990, officials enacted an ordinance restricting annual property tax will increase for longtime residents to 5{c024931d10daf6b71b41321fa9ba9cd89123fb34a4039ac9f079a256e3c1e6e8}, but a county judge finally struck it down. He dominated that new property proprietors cannot be taxed at a increased price than their longtime neighbors.
Costa claimed he hopes to prevent a legal problem this time all around by mastering from the county’s earlier mistakes. The laws he launched would enable the metropolis to build its have longtime operator occupant program that hopefully avoids some of the pitfalls of the county legislation.
If the laws is passed at the point out degree, Pittsburgh Town Council would continue to have to have to go laws producing a LOOP in the town. Council would create the eligibility parameters for participation in the system.
“The a lot more applications that we have in our toolbox, the additional we can maintain our neighborhoods stabilized,” claimed Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. “We do not want to push out. We want to provide in. And in buy to do that, we know we have to be inexpensive. And part of staying reasonably priced is owning the right instruments to be capable to do it.”
Point out Rep. Sara Innamorato sponsored 1 of the earlier legislative attempts in the condition Property. Innamorato is also a Lawrenceville resident and reported she has viewed the effects of increasing assets taxes firsthand. She pressured that implementing LOOP is a make a difference of equity.
“Establishing LOOP would enable Pittsburgh to defend house owners — from youthful, functioning-course households to seniors on preset incomes — across the town from unaffordable property taxes. People today who have been listed here for a lengthy time deserve to continue to be in neighborhoods that they have invested in,” she reported. “So bottom line, this is about defending the men and women and people who have been right here through the rough times when also welcoming new neighbors and new expense.”
Innamorato, a Democrat, is also operating for Allegheny County Government. She claimed a LOOP could also assist remedy some of the county’s ongoing residence tax assessment issues if elected the next county government, she would revisit the thought of an Allegheny County LOOP.
Costa mentioned he and Innamorato hope to go the legislation ahead in each chambers when they reconvene in April.
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Massive tax debt can be a huge and stressful burden, especially when you’re already struggling. Fortunately, there’s professional help available for those who are thousands of dollars in debt to the IRS.
Tax relief companies employ a number of tax professionals who can help you negotiate payment options with the IRS and state tax agencies: from payment plans to pausing collections during times of financial hardship (called “currently not collectible” status).
Read on to find out more about the best tax relief companies, as determined by their availability, cost and consumer reviews.
Our Top Picks for Tax Relief Companies
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Best Tax Relief Companies Reviews
Why we chose this company: Anthem Tax Services’ full money-back guarantee — which promises all your money back if your tax debt isn’t reduced or eliminated — is among the best guarantees in the industry.
Money-back guarantee with no time limit
Some customers have reported cases resolved in as little as one week
Dedicated tax relief services for truck drivers
Customers have reported poor communication on cases that go on longer than a week
HIGHLIGHTS
Minimum Debt Required
$8,000
Certifications and memberships
NATP, NAEA, California Tax Education Council (CTEC)
Cost
Starts at $350
BBB Rating
A+
Anthem Tax Services offers both IRS tax debt relief and corporate tax preparation services. The company helps you apply for all IRS tax debt relief programs, including offers in compromise (OIC), innocent spouse relief, and “currently not collectible” status.
Notably, it also offers assistance with filing for wage garnishment and tax levy release — services not commonly offered by competitors.
Anthem’s money-back guarantee is also one of the best in the tax debt relief industry, offering all of your money back if it fails to secure any sort of resolution from the IRS — whether it’s a reduction in payment amounts or debt forgiveness. It’s important to note that said guarantee doesn’t include the initial investigation fee, which usually starts at $350, depending on the details of your case.
Anthem takes on customers that have as little as $8,000 in tax debt (lower than the typical $10,000) and offers free consultations. As a general rule, the company charges a flat rate fee upfront — which can vary greatly per individual customer but generally starts around $3,000 — though the price may change if additional services are required along the way.
Why we chose this company: Optima’s proprietary app, which allows users to file a free tax extension and also helps them understand what to do when they receive an IRS notice, makes it the company with the best mobile app in the industry.
Proprietary app provides free assessment of collection notices
Free consultations
Clearly outlined tax resolution process provides realistic expectations on the outcome of your case
Minimum $10,000 tax debt required
15-day money-back guarantee shorter than competitors
Optima Tax Relief works with every type of IRS and state tax debt relief option, from payment plans to “currently not collectible” filings The company’s staff is composed of several types of tax professionals, including enrolled agents, tax attorneys and CPAs.
Notably, Optima has a proprietary app that lets you access free assessments of any IRS collection notice you receive and also helps you file for an extension on your tax filing deadline.
Optima also offers individual and business tax preparation services as well as free consultations. During free consultations, the company outlines its two-step approach: 1) setting up a protection plan involving filing paperwork to pause any immediate IRS action against you — typically takes up to 4 weeks — and 2) providing you with a case summary.
Optima’s investigation fee is generally around $295, and you need to have a minimum tax debt of $10,000.
Why we chose this company: Larson Tax Relief’s wide range of business tax services — including payroll and federal tax issues, conflicts with your revenue officer and worker classification issues — make them an excellent choice for business and corporate tax debt relief.
15-day money-back guarantee for new customers
Can help resolve complex business tax situations such as tax liens or accounts receivable levies
Free consultations offered
15-day guarantee may be too short for serious tax debt issues
No bilingual service
Minimum $20,000 tax debt required
HIGHLIGHTS
Minimum Debt Required
$20,000
Certifications and memberships
NAEA
Cost
Starts at $2,500
BBB rating
A+
Larson Tax Relief works with all sorts of tax debt relief services, from personal IRS tax debt relief to corporate tax assistance and even assistance with delaying or preventing bank levies.
In addition to the large number of positive reviews the company receives on customer review sites, Larson stands out for its business tax services. The company can handle just about everything about business tax preparation, including paperwork for payroll taxes and corporate income taxes. This can be especially useful for small business owners or those with smaller accounting departments that need the support.
Larson offers free consultations, but does require you to have a minimum of $20,000 in tax debt to take on your case.
According to Larson, it charges a minimum fee of $200 to file tax returns, between $250 and $500 for research and discovery and a minimum fee of $1750 for representation or power of attorney services.
Larson has a 15-day money-back guarantee that applies to all new customers — this is definitely on the shorter side since other companies offer 30 days. It might not be all that useful if your case takes weeks to resolve.
Why we chose this company: Community Tax offers free consultations and affordable investigation fees that range between $295-$500.
Bilingual services offered
Affordable initial fees
Tax planning services help reduce the likelihood of future tax issues
No upfront pricing information
Limited state tax debt relief options
HIGHLIGHTS
Minimum Debt Required
$10,000
Certifications and memberships
IRS Continuing Education Provider
Cost
Starts at $295
BBB Rating
A+
Community Tax relief focuses on IRS tax debt relief, although it also offers limited state tax assistance. Like other similar companies, Community Tax handles applications for everything from installment agreements to offers in compromise, but not innocent spouse relief.
Community Tax is one of the few companies on our list to offer bilingual assistance both online and through their representatives. In addition to tax debt relief services, Community Tax also offers tax filing, bookkeeping and business accounting services. Consultations are free and their A+ BBB rating is supported by numerous positive reviews and quick response time to customer complaints.
The company services customers with tax debt as low as $10,000 and their money-back guarantee varies from state to state, ranging between three and 10 days, and offering a full refund if your issues aren’t resolved. Initial investigation fees are some of the more affordable ranging between $295-$500.
Why we chose this company: Tax Defense Networks’ availability online and on the phone to both Spanish and English speakers makes it the best tax relief company for bilingual services.
Wide range of tax debt relief and preparation services
Robust tax education resources
Fully bilingual services
3-day money-back guarantee
HIGHLIGHTS
Minimum Debt Required
$5,000
Certifications and memberships
National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), ASTPS, NATP, Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Cost
Starts at $250
BBB rating
A+
Tax Defense Network stands out for providing a fully bilingual (Spanish – English) customer service, both online and over the phone. representatives) The company also accepts tax debt as low as $5,000 in some cases, making it more accessible than many competitors.
Aside from the full range of IRS and state tax debt relief options that competitors also work with (payments plans, offers in compromise, innocent spouse relief, etc.) Tax Defense network also offers specialized business tax solutions such as close corporate filing services for when businesses need to shut down permanently. Its educational resources are also more robust than other companies’, including offer-in-compromise and tax withholding calculators.
Despite the company’s free consultations, its 3-day money-back guarantee is much shorter than competitors — most companies on this list, for instance, offer 15 days. Regardless, its extensive certifications and memberships in national tax professional organizations help to support the numerous positive reviews from its current and former customers.
Other Tax Relief Companies We Considered
Below are some companies that we thought were worth looking into, but ultimately didn’t make our top list. Though they may not be the best for every situation, they still offer services that some individuals may find useful, depending on their circumstances.
Precision Tax Relief
30-day money-back guarantee
No-interest payment plans for all clients
Free consultations
Precision Tax Relief primarily focuses on IRS tax debt relief, but can also handle state tax issues. It doesn’t offer audit representation for its clients.
Aside from tax debt relief, Precision offers assistance with securing wage garnishment and levy releases, which can provide a significant amount of financial relief, if granted by the IRS. Individual and business tax preparation services are also available to clients, to avoid tax debt issues in the first place.
Precision stands out for making it abundantly clear that any payment plans you agree to are always interest-free. Its 30-day money-back guarantee is also fairly generous, since many — but not all — tax debt issues can be resolved within the span of three to four weeks.
Fees and rates are not advertised upfront, but they are always provided during the free consultations. It should be noted that while Precision has no minimum debt requirements for its customers, the company states anyone with a tax debt of under $10,000 may not be getting the best value for their money from their services.
Minimum Debt Required: No minimum debt required
Certifications and Memberships: NAEA, ASTPS, AICPA
BBB ratings: A+
Victory Tax Lawyers
Flat-rate pricing
Free consultations
No money-back guarantee
Minimum $25,000 tax debt required
Victory Tax Lawyers are tax lawyers who focus on tax controversy issues, such as preventing or resolving tax-related criminal charges, rather than general debt relief. However, Victory Tax does handle common IRS tax debt relief options such as compromise and installment agreements, but not innocent spouse relief.
Victory Tax offers assistance to both individuals and businesses, including services such as tax preparation, tax levy and lien defense and audit representation. Notably, they also assist with Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) filings, which must be filed if you have bank accounts in countries other than the U.S.
Furthermore, they only work with cases involving a minimum of $20,000 in tax debt, which is considerably higher than other companies on this list.
Minimum Debt Required: $25,000
Certifications and memberships: Association of American Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS)
Tax Relief Guide
Understanding and navigating tax relief options can be an overwhelming task. The following guide on tax relief includes explanations of basic concepts you need to know, as well as information on the many tax relief programs that tax relief companies can help you apply for.
What is tax debt relief?
Tax debt relief refers to a number of measures and strategies that help individuals pay or reduce their tax liability.
Although the term originally referred to policies aimed at reducing the tax burden for both companies and individuals, it’s now often used to refer to payment plans, settlements (called offers-in-compromise) and wage garnishments.
While both state and federal tax collectors offer similar plans, local regulations can vary widely. It’s important to check your state’s comptroller’s office for the specific options available to you.
It’s also important to note that anyone can negotiate these options directly with the IRS. However, there are situations when hiring professionals is a worthwhile investment.
Tax relief companies — also known as tax resolution firms — use their knowledge of federal and state law to review your documents and financial situation, and identify the best alternative. The process typically involves filing paperwork and communicating with the IRS on your behalf.
Some companies employ tax attorneys who can, in some particularly complex cases, act as intermediaries in your negotiations with the government.
How do tax relief companies work?
Tax relief companies work with the IRS on taxpayers’ behalf to reduce the amount of back taxes owed. However, it’s worth noting that you can do pretty much everything that tax relief companies do by speaking directly with the IRS.
The key difference is that good tax relief companies employ professionals with years of experience, well-versed in tax law, who can more easily navigate complicated cases involving higher debt amounts.
For instance, if your tax debt issues are a matter of missing last year’s tax payments, you might be better off simply reaching out to the IRS yourself, as there’s little these companies can do that you can’t.
However, if your tax debt case involves multiple bank accounts, assets, years of unpaid taxes and other particulars that complicate your tax situation, a tax relief company can help by sorting through your paperwork and identifying the best options available. In very rare cases, they could even identify things that the IRS missed and negotiate a lower tax bill.
As a general rule, if your tax debt is under $10,000, you might be better off attempting to negotiate with the IRS yourself. First, most tax relief companies have a minimum debt requirement — usually $10,000 or more. Second, if your debt is under that amount, you might do better paying the IRS in installments instead of increasing your debt load by paying for tax relief services.
Of course, no two people share the same circumstances and if you feel like you need tax help — regardless of the size of your debt — many tax relief firms offer a free consultation to get you started.
Common tax problems
Tax problems refers to a number of issues resulting from mistakes made during filing or simply not filing a tax return at all. Below are some explanations of the most common tax issues that tax relief companies can handle for you:
Back taxes
Back taxes are taxes owed due to unfiled tax forms or mistakes made during filing. These can accrue interest, which can cause your tax debt to balloon to unmanageable levels. The IRS publishes the interest rates for penalties quarterly, so it’s important to check the agency’s website for the most up-to-date information.
A good way to avoid incurring back taxes is by using tax preparation software. Be sure to check out our article on the best tax software, if you’re in need of a helping hand when filing your taxes.
Wage garnishments
When your tax bill is due, the IRS will send you a series of collection notices. If you ignore these notices for long enough, the IRS may decide to collect portions of your debt directly from your wages by garnishing part of them.
Your employer receives Publication 1494 to help determine the portion of your wages that is exempt from garnishment, based on your marital status and number of dependents.Garnishment usually continues until the debt is satisfied, but tax relief companies may be able to assist by securing alternative payment arrangements.
Tax liens
Similar to a wage garnishment, this is a public notice issued by the IRS to financial institutions and other relevant parties declaring their right to collect any proceeds from personal property sales before other creditors.
Tax levies
A more drastic variation of a tax lien, a tax levy means that the IRS is enforcing its legal right to seize your property in order to pay your debt.
Tax audits
If the IRS spots irregularities in your taxes, the agency may choose to audit you. While anyone can be audited, wealthier individuals — especially those who earn $10 million or more — are the most likely to be audited.
How much does tax relief cost?
Given the complicated nature of tax relief services, it’s safe to say that costs vary greatly from case to case. There are two common pricing models: a percentage of the debt owed and flat hourly rates. The most cost-effective choice will depend on the size of your tax debt and how complicated your case is.
Most companies that operate on a percentage basis have rates that range from 10{c024931d10daf6b71b41321fa9ba9cd89123fb34a4039ac9f079a256e3c1e6e8} to 15{c024931d10daf6b71b41321fa9ba9cd89123fb34a4039ac9f079a256e3c1e6e8} of your tax debt. If, for example, your debt is $10,000 (many companies’ required minimum debt) you can expect to pay a minimum of $1,000 to $1,500.
On the other hand, a company that charges a flat hourly rate might be more affordable if the amount you owe is high but your case is relatively straightforward. The average hourly rate for tax relief companies can range from $240 to $1000.
Some companies have individual prices for different services. For instance, they may charge a flat fee of $300 for a basic investigation, but upwards of $1,000 if you want to pursue a specific tax relief option such as an offer in compromise (OIC), which allows you to settle your tax debt for a lower amount than originally specified.
For these reasons, it cannot be overstated how important it is to ask for as much information as a company is willing/able to disclose before contracting its services. Ideally, you’ll want to get quotes in writing, including the possibility of any additional fees and all available payment options.
Tax debt relief options
The following tax debt relief options are available to anyone directly from the IRS. Some state agencies may offer similar programs for local taxes. Before reaching out to tax relief companies, it’s always a good idea to check the IRS website or speak with a representative over the phone to obtain further information about these options.
Remember that most of the tax resolution services that private companies offer involve reviewing your case details and identifying the best option for your situation based on the information they find; they don’t have access to any information that you could not obtain yourself, and they cannot guarantee any specific result.
If your tax situation is relatively straightforward — meaning you don’t have multiple sources of income, a complex stock portfolio, etc. — you’re usually better off speaking to the IRS directly. Here are some of the tax debt resolution options that the IRS offers:
Offers in compromise
Offers in compromise are a way to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. Under this arrangement, the IRS considers factors such as your ability to pay, income, expenses and assets to determine if you are eligible.
Per the IRS, offers in compromise are only considered if it has reason to believe that the lower amount is the most that can be collected “within a reasonable amount of time,” which makes this one of the least commonly offered tax settlement options.
Innocent spouse relief
This type of tax debt relief applies when your current or former spouse commits an error of omission when filing taxes. Innocent spouse relief exempts you from any tax penalties that might apply as a result of these filing errors. This option only applies if the IRS determines that you had no reasonable way of knowing about the omissions.
Installment agreement
If you don’t have the money to pay your tax debt in a single payment, the IRS may offer an installment agreement, or installment plan, where you pay your debt over time. There are two types of installment agreements: short-term (180 days or less) and long-term (monthly payments for as long as you need to pay your debt.)
While there isn’t a specific amount you must owe to apply for an installment agreement, online applications are accepted for amounts up to $50,000 (long-term) or $100,000 (short-term), making it one of the more common and accessible options for individuals who want to directly negotiate with the IRS.
Penalty abatement
Sometimes known as “first-time penalty abatement,” this tax relief option is commonly available for lesser tax penalties such as failing to make a payment on a single tax return or missing a filing deadline. The main requirement to be eligible for this type of relief is having no penalties for the previous three tax years, although you must have also filed or at least requested an extension on your current taxes.
Currently not collectible
Currently not collectible (CNC) status means that both you and the IRS agree that while taxes are owed, you are currently unable to pay them. As a general rule, you can apply for CNC status when paying your taxes represents an undue burden on your necessary living expenses. This refers to scenarios such as being unable to pay essential bills like utilities, rent/mortgage, or even not having enough money left over for basic groceries as a result of your tax debt payment.
If the IRS grants you CNC status, your finances are reviewed every year until it determines that you’re able to pay your debt. Additionally, any future tax refunds you receive may be used to pay down your debt while in CNC status.
Other Services Offered by Tax Relief Companies
Audit defense
Some licensed tax professionals offer guaranteed assistance in the event that your tax returns are audited. Think of it as you would car insurance. You pay the tax professional an additional amount up front, and they agree to help you resolve any tax audits that might come up in the future, usually up to three years.
As mentioned above, if your tax debt is comparatively small — generally less than $10,000 — you might want to consider negotiating directly with the IRS yourself. If filling out your tax returns is a relatively straightforward process, applying for any of the IRS’s tax debt relief programs could be considerably cheaper than paying for a tax debt relief company’s services.
Tax relief lawyers
On the other hand, if you feel your tax debt situation is more complicated, working directly with tax relief lawyers might be the way to go. Be aware that some tax debt relief companies employ tax debt relief lawyers, but not all. A tax lawyer is far more specialized than a CPA or an enrolled agent, which can be useful when your case might lead to criminal charges.
Tax debt relief programs
The IRS Fresh Start Program — currently known as the Fresh Start Initiative — is a set of guidelines that makes tax debt relief more accessible. Instead of offering a specific type of relief, the Fresh Start Initiative lowers existing requirements to qualify for different IRS relief programs.
Income calculations used to determine eligibility for offers-in-compromise, for instance, have been modified in several important ways. The IRS will now only look at:
One year of future income for offers paid in five or fewer months, which is down from four years, and
Two years of future income for offers paid in six to 24 months, which is down from five years.
However, all offers must be fully paid within 24 months of the date the offer is accepted.
Tax debt relief companies evaluate the details of your case and check Fresh Start guidelines, helping you find the relief options that you qualify for.
The IRS also offers a number of tax assistance programs designed to help individuals file their taxes on time, among other things:
Warning about tax relief scams
Tax debt can create a lot of stress, which can make any offer to get rid of it seem enticing. However, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns, not all tax relief companies have your best interests at heart.
Tax debt relief companies red flags
Since only the IRS can determine whether you qualify for relief programs, you should steer clear of any tax relief company promising to lower your debt or making claims that seem too good to be true.
Assurances that you qualify for one or more programs — without even taking a look at your case — or claims that they can settle your tax debt in a specific time frame should raise red flags right away.
Many fraudulent companies don’t even bother filing the necessary paperwork to apply for relief programs, instead, they lie to customers and pocket their money without having done any work. According to FTC reports, some companies even made unauthorized charges to customers’ credit cards long after the case had been closed.
Here are some red flags to look out for when evaluating tax relief companies:
Company representatives make guarantees or promises without looking at your case details
The company fails to ask specifics about your tax debt situation
Upfront payment is demanded in exchange for “guaranteed” results
The company contacts you first by cold calling or unsolicited mail and/or e-mail
The company uses delay tactics such as asking you for the same documents over and over again
Other IRS-related scams
In addition to tax relief scams, you should also be aware of other IRS-related scams, such as the IRS text message scam that the agency recently warned about in a press release. A reputable tax relief company could even provide you with guidance on how to avoid these scams.
Trustworthy tax relief companies will avoid making specific promises and be transparent about their costs and process up front, and often offer free consultations.
The concept of tax relief includes a number of government policies and initiatives designed to reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses. Things such as tax deductions and programs such as the Child Tax Credit are among the many tax relief options available.
Tax relief companies, on the other hand, focus on finding alternatives for managing any existing tax debt you may have with the IRS or local tax collection agencies. While results are never guaranteed, these companies can certainly assist with complicated tax debt issues.
How much do tax relief companies charge?
As with many services of this nature, the amount varies per case. It depends on how much tax debt is owed, the type of services offered and the work that needs to be done. Some companies charge a percentage of the debt owed, while others charge flat hourly fees that can range from around $200 to over $1,000 per hour.
What is the IRS Fresh Start Program?
The IRS Fresh Start Program is an initiative from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps taxpayers obtain relief from their tax debt. This program introduces easier qualification requirements for programs as extended payment plans, offers in compromise, and penalty relief to help taxpayers who are unable to pay their tax debt in full.
Who can I call for free tax questions?
If you’re looking for general information on a number of federal tax topics, the IRS has several telephone numbers you can call. 1-800-829-1040 allows you to speak with a live representative, while 1-800-829-4477 allows you to access pre-recorded messages on over 100 different tax topics.
What is an offer in compromise with the IRS?
An offer in compromise is a tax debt relief option offered by the IRS that allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the total amount owed. Due to the benefit of paying less than you owe, this is one of the least commonly offered tax relief options.
Latest News About Tax Relief
Tax season is fast approaching so make sure you’re ready to file on time. If you’re a gig worker concerned about reporting the income you receive through third-party services such as PayPal or Venmo, don’t worry, the IRS has delayed the major tax change for gig workers that was recently announced.
If you were planning on buying a new electric vehicle soon, you should know that the new EV tax credits could save you up to $7,500 on your next car purchase. Be sure to also read up on when the 2023 tax filing season begins and why you should file your taxes early this year.
After you’re done making sure your 2022 tax checklist is in order, check out the 2023 tax brackets so you have a better idea of how much more (or less) you’ll be paying in taxes next year.
How We Chose the Best Tax Relief Companies
If you’re looking for professional assistance with your tax debt issues, consulting a tax relief company is likely at the top of your mind. While it is entirely possible to negotiate common tax debt issues yourself directly with the IRS, consulting a professional can often provide greater peace of mind. We used the following criteria to choose the best tax relief companies:
Availability
When people think of tax debt relief, they mostly think about the IRS, which is a federal agency. However, tax debt can also impact people at the state level. We picked companies that could deal with both federal and state tax issues and that were available nationwide.
Cost
We chose companies that offer free consultations and flexible payment plans, making their services accessible to all who need them.
Credibility
To ensure that you only work with companies with a solid track record, we tax looked at their record with the Better Business Bureau and customer reviews on websites such as Trustpilot.
We also only picked companies with at least one certification, accreditation or membership in major tax professional organizations such as the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), and many others.
Adnan Syed, middle right, leaves the courthouse soon after a hearing on Sept. 19, 2022, in Baltimore. Syed was unveiled from a Maryland jail this calendar year after his situation was the target of the accurate-crime podcast “Serial.” An appeals courtroom Tuesday reinstated his conviction and purchased the trial court docket to hold a new hearing to enable the victim’s spouse and children to appear in human being. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sunlight through AP, File)
Maryland’s next-best court docket reinstated Adnan Syed’s murder conviction in the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee Tuesday in a astonishing new impression that uncovered Lee’s loved ones had the appropriate to attend in human being when a judge freed Syed from jail and vacated his conviction in the killing.
A split three-choose panel identified that necessitating Lee’s brother, Younger Lee, to go to the September hearing via Zoom in its place of allowing for him to fly in from California and show up at in individual violated Youthful Lee’s rights underneath Maryland legislation preserving crime victims.
“In sum, we keep that in the circumstance the place, as below, a crime victim or victim’s representative conveys to the courtroom a desire to show up at a vacatur listening to in man or woman, all other people today included in the situation are permitted to go to in particular person, and there are no compelling reasons that have to have the victim to appear remotely, a court requiring the target to go to the hearing remotely violates the victim’s ideal to go to the proceeding,” Judge Kathryn Grill Graeff wrote.
The panel remanded the scenario for a “new, lawfully compliant, and transparent hearing on the movement to vacate, the place Mr. Lee is given recognize of the hearing that is ample to permit him to go to in man or woman.”
A law firm for Syed explained he will attraction the selection to Maryland’s Supreme Court docket.
David Sanford, an lawyer for the Lee spouse and children, applauded the court’s conclusion.
“We are delighted that the Appellate Court of Maryland agrees with Mr. Lee that his appropriate to have realistic notice of the Syed vacatur hearing and his ideal to be physically existing at that hearing ended up violated by the demo courtroom,” Sanford claimed in a prepared assertion.
“We are equally pleased that the Appellate Court docket is directing the reduce court to carry out a clear listening to the place the proof will be offered in open up court and the court’s selection will be primarily based on proof for the globe to see.”
The view raises a series of inquiries about how the case was dealt with.
Crucially, the appellate courtroom observed that Younger Lee’s charm was not moot, even nevertheless the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office environment entered a nolle prosequi, or a dismissal, of the costs against Syed a month following the vacatur hearing.
The view also implies that the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, underneath Marilyn Mosby, intentionally timed the nol professionals in an hard work to block the Lee spouse and children from pursuing an attraction.
The Lee spouse and children had previously filed a request to remain the case so that they could attraction when Mosby’s place of work proceeded with the dismissal, opening up the problem of mootness in Lee’s attractiveness.
“Under these situations, we conclude that the nol execs was entered with the reason or ‘necessary effect’ of blocking Mr. Lee from acquiring a ruling on appeal pertaining to whether or not his legal rights as a victim’s representative have been violated,” Graeff wrote.
“Allowing a nol execs in this circumstance gives the Condition a system to insulate a defective continuing from appellate assessment, and it stops victims from receiving the legal rights to which they are entitled.”
The panel also uncovered that Baltimore Circuit Decide Melissa M. Phinn erred when she located that the Lee household experienced been given ample detect prior to continuing with the vacatur listening to.
The prosecutor who dealt with the situation, Becky Feldman, gave Younger Lee a person enterprise day’s discover of the vacatur hearing and did not notify Lee that he had the proper to attend in human being, in accordance to the impression. That was not “sufficiently reasonable” to enable Lee to go to the hearing, the courtroom identified.
The panel concluded that Maryland’s victims legal rights rules entitle crime victims or their reps to show up at in man or woman when there will be a hearing on a motion to vacate a conviction. Zoom attendance was not adequate in this scenario mainly because all people else included — Syed himself, prosecutors and protection lawyers, members of the community and the media — was capable to attend in particular person.
The appeals court docket did not uncover, however, that Lee experienced a suitable to be heard at the listening to. Phinn did let Lee to handle the court over Zoom at the vacatur listening to.
Syed, whose circumstance was examined in the well known true-crime podcast “Serial,” was serving a daily life sentence just after currently being convicted of strangling 18-yr-old Lee, whose physique was discovered buried in a Baltimore park. Syed, 17 at the time, has constantly preserved he did not destroy Lee, his ex-girlfriend.
The Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Business questioned to vacate Syed’s conviction at the hearing in September, citing recently found out proof of a likely option suspect and other flaws in the demo proof.
The ask for centered on two handwritten notes that had been mentioned to expose an substitute suspect who experienced reportedly stated he would eliminate Lee. The files had been by no means turned more than to the protection, prosecutors stated, creating a Brady violation that raised issues about the legitimacy of Syed’s conviction in Lee’s murder.
Phinn agreed to vacate Syed’s conviction from the bench and requested Syed be unveiled from the courthouse at the end of the vacatur hearing.
The Lee spouse and children promptly appealed, arguing that their legal rights under Maryland’s target legal rights guidelines were violated when they ended up not authorized to go to the vacatur hearing.
A thirty day period just after the hearing, Mosby dropped the costs versus Syed completely, pointing to new testing that eradicated Syed as a contributor to DNA recovered from Hae Min Lee’s sneakers.
Mosby has considering that remaining business office. A spokesperson for Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates explained the situation is now in a “holding pattern” because Syed can charm the choice.
“This office is at the moment conducting a overview of the determination,” said the spokesperson, James Bentley. “We have to allow the appeals course of action to participate in by itself out. Mr. Syed and his legal workforce may file for an attractiveness to the Maryland Supreme Court docket, and we have to regard their rights to do so until finally these rights are both heard or that ask for is denied.”
The Appellate Court docket judges stayed their buy for 60 times, which possible usually means Syed will not be returned to jail throughout that time.
Erica J. Suter, an assistant general public defender who represents Syed, emphasized that the charm was not about Syed’s guilt or innocence, but the procedural question of how considerably discover criminal offense victims should really receive.
“It took in excess of two a long time for prosecutors to at last accept what Adnan Syed and his liked ones have been saying since working day a single: he did not murder Hae Min Lee,” Suter mentioned in a assertion.
“There is no basis for re-traumatizing Adnan by returning him to the standing of a convicted felon. For the time remaining, Adnan remains a absolutely free male.”
In a dissenting viewpoint, Decide Stuart R. Berger argued that Zoom attendance was adequate to satisfy Younger Lee’s legal rights as a crime victim’s consultant.
The appellate decision is not the very first time concerns have been lifted about the managing of the circumstance. The Maryland Lawyer General’s Workplace, under then-Attorney Common Brian E. Frosh, disputed the integrity of the system applied to exonerate Syed in a courtroom submitting previous calendar year.
The workplace argued that the handwritten notes utilized to support vacating Syed’s conviction “are subject matter to many interpretations” and that the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Business office selectively quoted 1 of the notes, leaving out many statements that were reliable with the incriminating evidence versus Syed.
The place of work also claimed that Mosby offered no proof to clarify why the new DNA screening in the scenario exonerated Syed in Lee’s murder. The Lawyer General’s Business supported the Lee family’s charm, even though it normally would have represented the State’s Attorney’s Office in a typical appeal.
Legal professional Normal Anthony Brown has given that taken above the office environment. In a assertion, a spokesperson for the business reported: “We are pleased that the Court in this situation has recognized the victim’s appropriate to be supplied significant see of a vacatur listening to and the suitable to show up at that listening to in man or woman.”
Andrew Newell, a College of Colorado graduate, has been an legal professional considering that 1999. (LinkedIn)
A former company attorney in Denver who will before long be suspended from practicing legislation for 34 months reported that he doesn’t regret forging a letter from federal immigration officials to reduce his estranged wife from leaving the state with their youthful son.
Andrew Newell, who passed the bar in 1999 just after graduating from regulation faculty at the College of Colorado, will reduce his license April 24. He doesn’t expect to exercise law again.
“I’m guilty in the strictest lawful feeling but I unquestionably really don’t really feel responsible, let’s set it that way,” Newell mentioned all through a prolonged mobile phone job interview final 7 days from Wyoming, where he now life.
“As a father, I did the appropriate point. As an legal professional, there’s no justification for breaking the procedures and I knew that,” said Newell. He later extra, “I did what I had to do.”
Newell expended 20 decades symbolizing organizations as an in-house attorney and later at Whitcomb Selinsky, a company regulation firm in south Denver. He lobbied governments and represented shoppers prior to the state’s General public Utilities Commission, in accordance to his LinkedIn web page.
In 2016, Newell satisfied a girl in Peru and they married the subsequent year in the U.S. But immediately after they had a son with each other, their marriage grew to become strained and Newell’s spouse threatened to return to Peru with their son, who is autistic and now 4 decades outdated, in accordance to Newell.
“I realized that if she received him out of the nation, I would hardly ever see him once more,” he told BusinessDen. “That was my motivation for tricking her into supplying up his passport.”
“I never regret likely that far to retain my little one from ending up in Peru, that’s for guaranteed,” he claimed.
By copying and pasting from on the web documents, Newell designed a letter, purportedly from the director of Citizenship and Immigration Expert services, instructing Newell to give the authorities his passport and that of his spouse and son. He took a photo of the letter, despatched that to his wife, and told her to hand him the passports for her and their son so that he could mail them.
“Please notify me if the letter is authentic or not,” his wife texted at one particular point.
“I currently instructed you, I am not an expert on letters from USCIS,” Newell texted again. “All I know is I didn’t make it, nor do I have any desire in maintaining your passport from you.”
At some point, Newell’s steps came to the notice of the Colorado Office environment of Legal professional Regulation Counsel, which investigates alleged wrongdoing by attorneys.
“During a lot of the disciplinary investigation, (Newell) denied producing this letter, in spite of the clear issues about its genuineness, together with that Leon Rodriguez, the purported writer, did not even perform at USCIS on the date of the letter,” that business office wrote March 16.
“Finally, on February 24, 2023, (Newell) admitted that he fabricated the letter,” it wrote.
Newell and his spouse divorced in September 2021. Newell suggests that she later tried out to leave the U.S. with their son, partly vindicating his decision to forge the USCIS letter.
On March 20, Newell agreed to a 34-month law license suspension and $224 price. The Business office of Attorney Regulation Counsel pointed out he had not earlier been disciplined and has a actual physical incapacity that impairs his cognition. That incapacity led him to retire in 2019 but did not lead him to forge the letter, according to Newell and the Office of Lawyer Regulation Counsel.
“I realized the pitfalls when I did what I did,” Newell stated Friday. “I’m not sorry that I did it.”
Millingport women included in significant car incident resources getting raised to enable people
Revealed 2:18 pm Monday, March 27, 2023
Kaidyn Parks and her cousin Elise Lowrance are in critical condition following a auto crash Friday. This loved ones photo contains, from still left, Kynslee Tyson, Kaylee Parks, Kaidyn Parks and Elise Lowrance. Photograph courtesy of Erica Tyson.
Kaidyn Parks and her cousin Elise Lowrance are recovering at Carolinas Clinical Centre in Charlotte after sustaining severe injuries in a Friday night motor vehicle accident.
The Stanly News & Push has contacted N.C. Highway Patrol for an official report of the incident.
In accordance to their aunt Erica Tyson, Parks’ 16-year-previous sister Kaylee was turning right onto N.C. Freeway 73 from Nelson Mountain Street with the intention of then turning left on to Cane Travel when a different auto T-boned the auto.
Kaidyn, 13, who was in the front passenger seat, sustained important fractures and some inner accidents, Tyson explained. She is at this time in steady condition.
Elise, 7, who was in the back seat on the driver’s facet, sustained important injuries to her spinal column. Tyson mentioned she is “expected to endure but we do not know what her prognosis is at this time.”
Kaylee sustained no major injuries apart from soreness and a couple bruises, Tyson mentioned.
Tyson explained Kaylee experienced dropped off her daughter Kynslee at residence about a moment right before the accident happened.
Tyson established up GoFundMe pages for Kaylee and Elise on Saturday. As of early Monday afternoon, $3,705 has been lifted for Kaidyn and $2,405 has been raised for Elise.
“We are very grateful for all of the prayers 1st and foremost, but also the donations that have been manufactured and the outpouring help from our church relatives, good friends, buddies of good friends, churches inside our group and even churches in other states,” Tyson stated. “We have a great deal of prayers heading up for these ladies and we are trusting in God to recover them both equally.”
Tyson included that all three ladies, who reside in the Millingport spot, are “good Christian young women who have these types of a sturdy want to live for and provide the Lord.”
With Kaidyn and Lowrance currently being included with the Albemarle Academy of Dance, AAD posted on Fb about the crash, together with hyperlinks to the GoFundMe internet pages.
“We know that our dance local community is amazingly supportive and caring, and we are hopeful that we can appear with each other to support these two dancers, and their families during this tough time,” AAD wrote.
About Chris Miller
Chris Miller has been with the SNAP considering the fact that January 2019. He is a graduate of NC Condition and gained his Master’s in Journalism from the College of Maryland. He previously wrote for the Money News Assistance in Annapolis, the place several of his tales on immigration and lifestyle were printed in nationwide papers by way of the AP wire.
