We were not able to handle all of the calls that came in today requesting more information about Offers in Compromise. The people who push OICs on television do not tell the public that absent special circumstances, the IRS will not settle your tax debt in an offer in compromise if you have the ability to fully pay your tax liability in a lump sum or via an installment agreement, an offer in compromise will not be accepted. That is an obvious point. “Special circumstances” include health issues or some other personal emergency or difficulty, including age impairment. The overall policy of the IRS in OIC cases is stated in IRS IRS POLICH STATEMENT P-5-100 which states that the IRS Service will accept an offer in compromise when it is unlikely that the tax liability can be collected in full and the amount offered reasonably reflects collection potential. An offer in compromise is a legitimate alternative to declaring a case currently not collectible or to a protracted installment agreement. The IRS policy statement states further that the goal of an OIC is to achieve collection of what is potentially collectible at the earliest possible time and at the least cost to the Government. In cases where an offer in compromise appears to be a viable solution to a tax delinquency, the Service employee assigned the case will discuss the compromise alternative with the taxpayer and, when necessary, assist in preparing the required forms. The taxpayer will be responsible for initiating the first specific proposal for compromise. The success of the compromise program will be assured only if taxpayers make adequate compromise proposals consistent with their ability to pay and the Service makes prompt and reasonable decisions. Taxpayers are expected to provide reasonable documentation to verify their ability to pay. The ultimate goal is a compromise which is in the best interest of both the taxpayer and the Service. Acceptance of an adequate offer will also result in creating for the taxpayer an expectation of and a fresh start toward compliance with all future filing and payment requirements. The IRS considers the 20 percent payment for a lump sum offer and any periodic payments as “payments on tax” and are not refundable, regardless of whether the offer is declared not-processable or is later returned, withdrawn, rejected or terminated by the IRS. If there is a Notice of Federal Tax Lien on record prior to acceptance of the offer, the lien is not released until the OIC terms are satisfied or until the liability is paid, whichever comes first. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed during the course of the OIC investigation. You may designate in writing how the IRS should apply payments made with the filing of the offer and while an offer is under investigation. Without a written designation, payments will be applied to the tax liability and in the government’s best interest. The $150 application fee cannot be designated, but is applied to the tax liability and in the government’s best interest.The IRS will keep any refund, including interest due, because of an overpayment of any tax or other liability, for tax periods extending through the calendar year the IRS accepts the OIC. The IRS will keep all payments and credits made, received or applied to the total original tax liability before the OIC was submitted. The IRS may also keep any proceeds from a levy that was served prior to the submission of an OIC, but which were not received at the time the OIC was submitted.The statutory period for collection is suspended during the period that the OIC is under consideration (pending) and is further suspended if the OIC is rejected by the IRS and you appeal the rejection.If your offer is accepted, you must timely file all tax returns and timely pay all tax for five years or until the offered amount is paid in full, whichever period is longer. Failure to adhere to these terms will result in default of the offer and the IRS may then collect the amounts originally owed plus penalties and interest.If you qualify for a low-income exception waiver or you submit a doubt as to liability offer you are exempt from the $150 application fee and any OIC payments due upon submission of the OIC or during the course of the investigation. The low income waiver does not apply to businesses.If your OIC is rejected, you will have the opportunity to file an appeal which will be heard by the IRS Office of Appeals. There are no appeal rights associated with offers that are returned, withdrawn or terminated.If you have an approved installment agreement and submit a periodic payment offer, you are not required to continue to make the installment agreement payments while the offer is being investigated. You will, however, be required to make the OIC periodic payments as they become due.Per IRC 7122(f), the IRS will deem an offer “accepted” if it is not withdrawn, returned or rejected within 24 months of the IRS receipt date. If a liability included in the offer amount is disputed in any judicial proceeding, that time period is omitted from calculating the 24-month time frame. www.irstaxattorney.com 888-712-7690