{"id":16393,"date":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/irs-problems-wont-simply-disappear-on-their-own\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:16:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:16:31","slug":"irs-problems-wont-simply-disappear-on-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/irs-problems-wont-simply-disappear-on-their-own\/","title":{"rendered":"IRS Problems Won\u2019t Simply Disappear on Their Own"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>IRS problems aren&#039;t as complicated as they look once you see the structure. I&#039;m attorney Darrin Mish. I&#039;ve represented taxpayers before the IRS for three decades \u2014 in Florida, Colorado, Texas, and internationally. Here&#039;s the plain-English breakdown.<\/p>\n<h1>Are you experiencing IRS tax problems?<\/h1>\n<p>I\u2019m Darrin T. Mish, and for 17 years I\u2019ve been helping people to find solutions to their IRS tax problems. Today, I can look back on my own life and remember that it was my own tax problem at the time that led me down the path I travel today.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/category\/irs-problem\/\">Click here to read or watch more IRS Problem resources.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m proud to be a lawyer. There was a lot of hard work put in. However, I have to admit that I learned little about taxes and how to run a business while in law school. What I did learn was how to find the answers to problems.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/law-offices-darrin-t-mish-p-tax-attorney\/irs-back-taxes\/\">Click here to watch or read more information on IRS Back Taxes.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t to take away from the education received in law school, but to draw attention to the fact knowledge was focused on a particular discipline. I remember that I ended up owing $20,000 in taxes, and it was embarrassing for me to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>What I learned, for the most part, was on my own. So I understand the challenges that people face, mentally and emotionally, when dealing with IRS tax problems. However, regardless of any embarrassments, IRS tax problems won\u2019t simply disappear into thin air. This is where I can offer the much-needed tax help that my clients need.<\/p>\n<h2>In this video, I explain what to do if you owe the IRS money.<\/h2>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J68B-7O6qOs?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1>Working Harder Is Not Always the Answer<\/h1>\n<p>Some clients\u00a0think that solving IRS tax problems is a matter of using blunt force\u2014working harder. That\u2019s not always the case because making more money can bring about additional tax liabilities. It\u2019s the equivalent of digging a hole deeper and quicker. If you have a business that\u2019s doing well, money can come quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Some Internet individuals and their businesses\u00a0have tremendous growth in a short amount of time. Without sound advice, an individual can go through piles of money without giving it a second thought\u2014until it becomes an IRS tax problem.<\/p>\n<p>Many, who experience a measure of success, don\u2019t start worrying about their taxes until late the next year, when their taxes are due. Then, the reality of what they haven\u2019t paid in can hit them like a rock.<\/p>\n<h2>Here&#8217;s a video where I explain how I helped a truck driver and made him a very happy client.<\/h2>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/siKt7SYVQZY?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>There are always those clients who get the bill in the mail and tell me. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the money to pay it. \u00a0What do we do?\u201d \u00a0 And if there are taxes owed from previous years, the situation can get worse.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the situation may be a train wreck. We file the client\u2019s taxes and can look at filing an <a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/tag\/offer-in-compromise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Offer in Compromise<\/a>. This may allow the client to climb out of their hole and once again reach a status of success.<\/p>\n<p>Hopefully, they will have learned a thing or two about managing their money differently.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, a client can start to focus on building their business once again. A lot of good can happen when a person feels positive about their business dealings and how they\u2019re handling things. However, it takes a professional, at this point, to correct the client\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to note there are a lot of people who lose focus when the right account restraints aren\u2019t in place. That\u2019s when a business can go from success to failure overnight.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17494\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17494\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17494 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/darrin-with-family-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"darrin-with-family\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17494\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here I am with my wonderful family, working on a tree conservation activity for Trees Rock! Tampa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Consequences of Not Filing a Tax Return<\/h1>\n<p>Business owner or not, it\u2019s important that you file your tax return. The reality is that it\u2019s a crime not to file your return. There\u2019s a six-year statute of limitations, so, you could be charged and end up going to a Federal prison.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to get twisted up in filing returns. Some people fail to file simply because they\u2019re stuck on perfection. When behind, I tell clients that sharpening their pencil can wait for another day. The\u00a0key is to get the numbers close enough\u2014and to file.<\/p>\n<p>The reason that we want to file the client\u2019s taxes is that if they owe $50,000, $100,000 or a half a million, the odds are they\u2019re not going to clear the books by writing a check for their amount.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also a never-ending surprise when clients don\u2019t have the documentation they need when they come to me. We can sometimes get around this by getting a Power of Attorney for our clients. Discreetly and electronically, we get transcript information from the IRS, which can include W-2\u2019s, 1099\u2019s, 1098\u2019s, and 5498\u2019s.<\/p>\n<h1>Before We Can Start to Resolve IRS Tax Problems<\/h1>\n<p>All missing returns must go back at least six years and be filed to resolve a present problem. As a result, we\u2019re very diligent about getting clients caught up. With regard to records that cannot be found, we tell our clients to offer conservative numbers so that we can get the process rolling.<\/p>\n<h2>Take a look at my tips in this next video on how to become a better problem solver.<\/h2>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kr9r8dexCf0?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1>Missing the Tax Extension Date<\/h1>\n<p>Every year, millions of people miss the extension date. These are returns that will be late and the penalty will be 5 percent of the tax amount owed for each\u00a0successive month. The maximum penalty allowed is 25 percent. If you don\u2019t file, it\u2019s possible that the IRS will go ahead and prepare a return for you.<\/p>\n<p>A sign that the IRS might file for you is when you start getting notices for a year that you haven\u2019t filed for. When the IRS files for you, it is called a Substitute for Return (SFR). Excessive penalties may be applied.<\/p>\n<p>But if you\u00a0can file an original return after the substitute for return is filed, there\u2019s a strong chance (99%) that the IRS will accept your return over the one they prepared. Your return has to be legitimate though, in which event they may abate excess tax interest and penalties. There is also that 1% chance they won\u2019t accept your return, in which case you\u2019ll end up paying the price for not having filed.<\/p>\n<h1>Not Having the Money to Pay Your Taxes<\/h1>\n<p>If you end up in a scenario where you don\u2019t have the money to handle your tax liability, file your taxes regardless. Never just walk away and let your IRS tax problems accumulate.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/\">File your taxes and work with a professional tax attorney that can help you get a handle on things.<\/a> The reason being is that late penalties are racking up if you choose not to file.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/tag\/tax-lien\/\">Just keep in mind that the IRS can file a federal tax lien<\/a>. Many people make the mistake that a lien can only attach to the property that they live at. The lien can attach to all of the taxpayer\u2019s property\u2014both real and personal.<\/p>\n<p>A qualified tax attorney can be extremely helpful in explaining where a tax lien has to be filed where \u201cgood\u201d title can be conveyed.<\/p>\n<h2>If you aren&#8217;t able to afford to pay your tax liability all at once, I give some options in this video.<\/h2>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FnXBnX3p1ZY?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1>Threshold for Filing a 1099<\/h1>\n<p>If you\u2019re earning income as a contractor, $400 is the threshold for which you should file. Perhaps a conversation for a later date, but Congress passes statutes and allows the IRS to promulgate regulations. In essence, regulations are not laws, so there is a debate as to whether people have to follow those regulations.<\/p>\n<p>Working for cash can get out of hand. I have a favorite story where a client came into my office, very nervous, and revealed that he hadn\u2019t filed taxes since 1960. This individual didn\u2019t receive a letter from the IRS because he was off their radar.<\/p>\n<p>He had worked in a cash economy for decades. I look at this as a scenario where the individual\u2019s conscience began to bother him so much that he had no other recourse but to look for help.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17496\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17496\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17496 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/darrin-and-kids-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"darrin-and-kids\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17496\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">My kids, Ryan and Rachel, are my reminders that life is not about just work, that I need to take the time to play once in awhile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We filed his last six years of tax returns, the only years that were required, and he didn\u2019t owe much because he didn\u2019t earn much during that six-year period. He was upset with himself because it took him nearly half a century to resolve his tax issues. I look at this as a happy ending.<\/p>\n<h1>Filing While on Social Security<\/h1>\n<p>There are certain tax-filing regulations for a person on Social Security or disability insurance. \u00a0If there is additional income, it can be taxed. If you\u2019re living off retirement income, like interest and annuities, it could be taxable or non-taxable.<\/p>\n<p>This is where we take a deep dive to find out greater detail. Again, it takes an expert in these matters to know what type of investment vehicle will, or won\u2019t, be taxed. I\u2019ve seen situations where people took large chunks of their retirement account and were taxed accordingly. They may have fared better by splitting up their withdrawals and, thus, paying less taxes.<\/p>\n<p>I try to convey to people that there are a ton of rules to consider when dealing with the IRS. This is why it\u2019s so important to work with a professional who understands both law and the tax codes.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering if it\u2019s worth your time to seek out a professional, I can honestly say that you\u2019ll benefit from not having to worry over complicated matters. If nothing more, you\u2019ll sleep better at night, and that can make all the difference in the world.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, you can listen to my podcast episode, &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/what-are-the-consequences-of-having-irs-problems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What are the Consequences of Having IRS Problems<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IRS problems aren&#039;t as complicated as they look once you see the structure. I&#039;m attorney Darrin Mish. I&#039;ve represented taxpayers before the IRS for three decades \u2014 in Florida, Colorado, Texas, and internationally. Here&#039;s the plain-English breakdown. Are you experiencing IRS tax problems? I\u2019m Darrin T. Mish, and for 17 years I\u2019ve been helping people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[592],"tags":[126,127],"class_list":["post-16393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-irs-problem","tag-offer-in-compromise","tag-tax-lien"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16393"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22813,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16393\/revisions\/22813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}