I would HIGHLY advise against using a company that make stupid claims. If you got the money....you must pay and they (the IRS) will make you pay. As far as an abatements....I talked to the guy in charge of them personally. It only effects the penalty and the interest on the penalty, NOT what is owed. And it's only for one year. You can only do one year at a time and even then....you have to provide proof as to why you didn't pay on time. Such as a severe, severe illness, drug and alcohol addiction, and one or two other excuses are acceptable. They DO require proof and not just your word.
Here's how it works....I'd do your taxes and see how much you owe. this will be BEFORE the penalties and interest. If the amount + penalties and interest (total amount owed) is less than $25,000 then they will work with you on the monthly payments. If it's over that...then they will stick it too you on how much you WILL pay each month. The bottom line is....if you haven't been in the hospital for a very long time or if you can't prove a history of alcohol and drug addiction, suicidal stuff, ect...you won't get an abatement. If you have the ability to pay the IRS back what you owe them...you will have to pay. All of it. NO matter what these scam companies tell you....you can do it yourself and save yourself $6,000. If it's under $25,000 owed, then I even think you can go directly through the computer prompts on the telephone and set up a payment arrangement.
MY dealing with a scam company was....the money the "salesman" (who you spoke to the first time) tells you it takes to clear up your case...well that amount ($6,000) is just to get them started, not to complete the case. They billed me for sending me a welcome package!!!!!! every time the case worker calls you...your billed, even if they call to see how you are doing! every little piece of paper they send you, no matter how meaningless and redundant, is billed to you. and it all comes off the retainer of (in your case) $6,000. They will nickel and dime you to death and then....when it's close to contacting the IRS, they need more money. Trust me, those companies are just a waste of money. One would think as long as these so-called experts have been doing this and bragging about the length of time they've been doing it...that they could give you a pretty good accurate dollar amount to do your case from start to finish.
I owed $38,000 and didn't even file for 7 years. I paid like...$2,400 before I caught on to the company's scam and then I got on line and found out that most, if not all, are just a complete scam and basically just "take" your money for something you can do yourself. I set up the payments myself through the IRS. I could give you more hints and insights if you like before you actually talk to a live person at the IRS. It helps to know some things before calling.
Message Edited by rodney0126 on
08-13-2008 05:55 PM
All 3 Fico scores 800+
Starting Score: EQ 679, TU 697
