Find the Best Tax Relief in Tallahassee, FL

How to get tax debt relief in Tallahassee

Tax relief reduces the amount you owe on back taxes through methods such as payment plans and settlements, but dealing with the IRS directly is often a complicated and time-consuming process. If you need tax relief, hiring a professional tax relief service reduces the stress of finding a manageable way to handle your tax debt.

Tax relief businesses employ certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents (EAs) and licensed attorneys to represent your interests with the IRS. These professionals use their knowledge, skills and experience with tax laws to get the maximum reduction possible and allow you to pay back your debt with minimal financial hardship.

Common types of tax relief in Tallahassee

• Installment agreements: Under an installment agreement, you can pay off unpaid taxes in monthly installments. To be eligible for installment agreements, you must owe less than $50,000. Interest and penalties can add up to 8 to 10 percent annually, so it’s beneficial to pay off your taxes as quickly as possible.
• Offer in compromise: An offer in compromise is an agreement to pay an amount that is less than the taxes and penalties owed. OICs are for Tallahassee residents who cannot pay their taxes without creating financial hardship, and people who can make installment agreements are generally not eligible. OICs can be paid off in a lump sum or installments
• Release of wage garnishment: The IRS may garnish your wages, taking part or all of the money you earn to pay back your debt. Under a release of wage garnishment, the IRS stops taking money from your paycheck if you can prove it is creating a financial hardship for you.
• Innocent spouse relief: If you are facing back taxes because your spouse incurred a tax penalty on a joint tax return, innocent spouse relief lets you avoid paying hefty penalties you did not bring on yourself and cannot afford.
• Tax penalty abatement: A tax penalty abatement waives a financial penalty the IRS previously issued for reasons such as missing a tax payment or failing to file taxes on time. You may qualify for penalty abatement if you have no history of previous penalties or plan to pay your tax debt.
• IRS appeals: If you disagree with the amount of taxes the IRS claims you owe, you can file an appeal with the Office of Appeals, an organization within the IRS. These appeals are considered informal and are faster and less expensive than going to court.

Most tax relief firms in Tallahassee require you to owe a minimum of $10,000 in taxes, and tax relief can take two months to a year or more. Straightforward cases such as tax penalty abatements move faster, while cases with multiple resolutions or high debts take longer.

How much does tax relief cost in Tallahassee?

The average cost of tax debt relief in Tallahassee if $4,000, but the price depends on the complexity of the case. Simple issues like penalty abatement may cost as little as $250, but a company may charge $8,000 or more to negotiate an OIC. The higher the amount of your tax debt, the more you can expect to pay for tax relief services.

Tax relief companies may bill on an hourly basis or charge a flat fee for services. Hourly rates typically range from $200 to $550 in Tallahassee, and a company may charge a flat fee for the total amount of services or specific resolutions. Many Tallahassee tax relief businesses charge for resolutions on a sliding fee scale based on how much you owe to the state or IRS.

How to choose a legitimate tax relief service in Tallahassee

To avoid falling for a tax relief scam, thoroughly vet businesses by reviewing their credentials. Any tax debt relief company you choose should:

• Specialize in tax relief
• Be a member of trade associations such as the National Association of Tax Professionals
• Have appropriately licensed or certified staff

Visit the Florida Bar’s website to check attorney licenses and Florida's Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s website for CPA license checks. For enrolled agents, you can email the IRS directly at epp@irs.gov to request verification of the agent’s status. It only takes three days or less to receive a reply.

Be sure to check for reviews from former clients. Be wary of companies with no reviews or poor reviews, as this may be a sign of a scam tax relief company. Reputable companies generally have multiple positive reviews from previous customers.