Large, nationwide tax resolution services are often advertised as a guaranteed way to win big savings on tax debts owed and for anyone facing IRS tax issues, can be very tempting. But, you know what they say…. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. We often refer to these outfits as “Fly-By-Night” Tax Resolution Providers. It seems as though every time we turn on the radio, a new outfit is being advertised, and it seems as though many disappear as quickly as they popped up, but not before taking payment from Taxpayers for work that is never done.
Examples of these “Fly-By-Night” Tax Resolution Providers include Roni Deutch, Tax Masters, and more. Let’s take Roni Deutch, for example. Back in the early 2000’s, Deutch’s commercials were everywhere, and she was known as the “Tax Lady!” Her main selling point was winning almost every tax battle with the IRS, up to 99% success! Seems legit, right? Wrong. In 2010, the attorney general of California sued her for over $34 million dollars for making false promises and charging high upfront fees, when in reality, she successfully reduced the amount owed by her client only 10% of the time.
The attorney general, Jerry Brown, had this to say: “She promises to significantly reduce their IRS tax debts, but instead preys on their vulnerability, taking large up- front payments but providing little or no help in lowering their tax bills.”
Needless to say, the allegations were not great for Deutch’s image, even though they ended up settling. The State Bar Court even recommended that she be disbarred, but Roni decided to formally surrender her license to practice law. They craziest part is, since her resignation from the practice of law, the “Tax Lady” has come back! Deutch still has a large “tax resolution” service and can easily be found online.
We’re ultimately here to say this: Don’t be fooled by this or any other “get it fixed quick” scheme; find someone local who you can trust. If the provider you are considering guarantees that they can settle your debt for “pennies on the dollar” or guarantee an elimination of penalties and interest, buyer beware. Tax resolution done right requires a very in-depth analysis on the Taxpayer’s current financial situation in order to identify the Taxpayer’s financial “Ability to Pay” the IRS and thus the Tax Resolution options available to that Taxpayer. We tell you in your consultation – we cannot determine exactly what you’ll qualify for with the IRS up front. We need to assess your financial situation and the reasons why you fell behind on your tax obligations first.
Find a local, reputable tax professional. Local professionals such as Attorneys and CPAs are regulated by your State’s bar association or Board of CPAs.
Bryson Law Firm, LLC prides itself on being a local, family-owned, Louisiana tax resolution firm, and that is what sets us apart. Whether you are part of the team or a Taxpayer in need of help, we consider you part of our Louisiana family and will do everything we can to help you fight the IRS!
The IRS doesn’t care about you, and neither does Roni Deutch, but we certainly do! If you’d like a free consultation or even just have a question, give us a call or head over to our website.
