Why Your Offer In Compromise May Not Get Accepted

An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the Internal Revenue Service that settles a taxpayer’s tax liabilities for less than the full amount owed. For many taxpayers seeking relief from an overwhelming past tax bill, the most common solution they will hear about is an Offer in Compromise. Some tax relief companies, especially those advertising on the radio and TV, will push an Offer in Compromise as if it were this easy, guaranteed solution.

So if you’ve gotten just this far, you may be surprised to learn that not every Offer in Compromise application is accepted!

The two biggest reasons the IRS turns down an Offer In Compromise:

  • Making too much money
  • Having too much equity in assets

Making too much money

In this scenario, the IRS determines you can pay your tax debt off based on how much “available income” you have at the end of the month.

It’s not all based on your actual expenses. The IRS has “collection financial standards” that apply and some people spend more than those amounts.

Example: $100K income, single but nothing left over, and debt is $40K

Having too much equity in assets

The equity in your assets, even if valued at 80%, could pay off your tax debt if the assets were sold. There are some ways to get around this, but as a general rule, it’s how the IRS calculates Offers.

People with assets that are substantial but are broke month to month are good candidates for Currently Not Collectible status, which is different from an Offer in Compromise.

Example: Debt of $100K, 401K valued at $200K

Not sure what to do with your Offer In Compromise? Get a free consultation!

Call us at (888) 515-4829 or go to trp.tax/start

If we cannot help you, we’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.

Going it alone? Check out our free tax help guide by searching “trp tax help guide” on Google.

Need a question answered? Comment on our YouTube videos and a tax attorney will answer.

For immediate help call (888) 515-4829 and we’ll assist you. You can also fill out the form below.

Robert Kayvon, Esq.

Recent Posts

Ongoing Impact: Americans Still Feel the Trump-Biden Tariffs

If re-elected, President Trump would intensify the trade war he initiated during his first term, proposing new 10 percent baseline… Read More

1 week ago

Refining Approaches to Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Measures

Understanding Base Erosion: The Challenge of Profit Shifting Base erosion refers to the phenomenon wherein multinational enterprises (MNEs) exploit cross-border… Read More

2 weeks ago

Navigating the World of Overseas Trusts

This article endeavors to provide an exhaustive exploration into the intricacies of foreign trusts, aiming to offer clarity for trustees,… Read More

1 month ago

Tax-Free Meals and Lodging for Employees: What You Need to Know

Understanding the ins and outs of providing free meals and/or lodging to your employees can be a bit daunting, but… Read More

1 month ago

Are Recent State Tax Cuts Financially Feasible?

As state tax revenues taper off from their peak levels, there's a growing debate over the financial viability of the… Read More

1 month ago

Important Sales Tax Developments in the Southeastern United States

Imagine a dynamic sales tax environment across the United States, where navigating sales tax regulations feels like solving a puzzle,… Read More

2 months ago
Click to schedule a consultation now!