The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be contacted to request a hold on the collection of taxes when you are incapable of paying your dues. While the IRS strongly advises taxpayers not to miss out on payments and filing returns, it understands that some might be rendered incapable of making payments due to unavoidable issues. When requesting a hold, it is important to send in an accurate and detailed hardship letter to increase the chances of availing IRS debt relief. In this blog, we look at a few Dos and Don’ts you must know when submitting a hardship letter to the IRS.
Do Include All The Necessary Documents
Make sure to fill out and add all the documents required along with your hardship letter to ensure your application gets due consideration from the IRS. Wherever applicable, include three months’ copies of your wage statements, bills, and bank statements, doctors’ prescriptions, a copy of the most recent tax return you have filed, and other important financial documents.
Do Not Be Impolite
There is simply no benefit in being impolite or aggressive with the IRS representatives, as they never take well to such an approach. Although it is a huge organization, the IRS is still represented by its employees, and approaching them with a rude attitude isn’t going to help with your case.
Do Mention Accurate Details Of Your Hardship
Before anything else, the IRS wants to know the reason for your hardship. Make sure to clearly state your reason for failing to adhere to guidelines and applying for a hold on the collection of dues. For example, if you or a family member has faced a medical issue or met with an accident or you have gone bankrupt due to a failed startup, which has rendered you incapable of paying taxes, mention these reasons clearly in your letter of hardship. Stick to the facts and mention your reasons without exaggerating.
Do Not Use Vague Terms Or Emotional Language
The IRS is not very considerate of individuals that don’t put in the effort to mention accurate information or use vague terms in their hardship letters. Stating that you have encountered an unavoidable issue that can last for an unknown period isn’t going to help your case. Similarly, stating your feelings and the ups and downs of the situation isn’t what the IRS is looking for either. Simply state numbers, facts, and reasons to increase your odds of getting an acknowledgment.
Do Not Forget To Include Form 433 And Other Mandatory Forms
Do not forget to include Form 433 and other forms related to the application process to ensure your request gets through on the first attempt. The IRS also provides Form B for businesses, Form F for individuals, and Form A for the self-employed that need to be submitted along with the hardship letter.
Conclusion
The IRS may be strict about its tax-related guidelines but is also considerate towards individuals in crisis that are facing inescapable problems. In the case of IRS debt, it is highly recommended to contact a debt attorney to assist with the relief application process. IRS tax attorneys can help you explore a variety of IRS debt help avenues including IRS penalty abatement, offer in compromise, and IRS tax installment agreement. You can easily find a leading Dallas tax attorney when you search online.