My name is Michael Anderson. I’m an Arizona attorney with a practice focused on helping clients who have been struggling with IRS Debt and it’s related issues.
I’ve been doing this for more than two decades, and during that time I’ve been able to help thousands of Clients find real solutions and eliminate millions in IRS and other debt.
I provide clients complete information, straightforward and honest advice, and a caring approach. I grew up in Arizona and my clients are Arizona Taxpayers.
IRS DEBT SOLUTIONS
There are four ways to deal with an IRS debt problem….
CHALLENGE IT
If the debt is incorrect, there are ways to challenge it in attempt to reduce or eliminate it. This may be possible even if an audit has been completed.
SETTLE IT
The IRS agrees to reduce debt all the time via a program called the IRS Offer in Compromise or OIC for short.
The OIC is oversold and often misunderstood, but if you meet the criteria it is the first option to consider.
There are other ways as well to reduce IRS debt that aren’t as “direct” but that I include in the settlement category like IRS penalty abatement, IRS innocent spouse relief, non-collectible status (no payment per month until things change for the better), and IRS partial pay installment plans coupled with the statute of limitation on IRS collection.
USE BANKRUPTCY LAW
Although I’ve helped many clients use bankruptcy to deal with IRS debt and other debt over the years, I still consider it a last resort.
It often makes more sense than any other option however.
Given the right circumstances a well planned and well timed bankruptcy can reduce a person’s tax debt and other debt, protect assets, and provide a real fresh start.
PAY IN FULL
The truth is that many people don’t qualify well to settle, challenge, or bankrupt their IRS debt. Most end up paying the IRS debt over time in full. I call these “full-pay” plans.
The most common “full-pay” plans are called “streamlined” and “non-streamlined” plans.
Streamlined plans are monthly payment plans that pay the debt in full over 72 months or less. The payment is typically auto-debited, and in exchange, the IRS agrees not to file a lien notice. The debt has to be less than about $50,000.00.
A non-streamlined plan pays the debt over the time remaining on the statute of limitations for collection when the debt is between $50,000.00 and $250,000.00 and no Revenue Officer has been assigned to the case.
MY PRACTICE
Every client I have is struggling with IRS debt or the threat of it.
Every case begins with an analysis of options. This analysis requires that I look at the IRS history and the Client’s finances in order to determine whether he or she should try to challenge the debt, settle it, discharge it in bankruptcy, or pay it in full. (or some combination)
In order to get the analysis started, I discuss the situation over the phone with the potential Client, ask and answer some questions, and describe the process.
Without a thorough analysis, the Taxpayer is often “flying blindly” and may be paying for help that is unnecessary and that may not resolve the problem in a way the Client expected.
The analysis allows the Client to see the pros and cons of each option, and provides a “game plan” that if followed… will typically make the money and time spent… worthwhile.
RESULT EXAMPLES
I’ve helped lots of clients eliminate IRS debt. Some recent examples include:
IRS Offer in Compromise – $1,000,000.00 plus in IRS debt settled for less than $35,000.00
IRS Partial Pay Installment Agreement – $800,000.00 plus in IRS debt reduced to payment of less than $100,000.00 over collection statute period.
IRS Debt Challenge – $1,600,000.00 reduced to less than $200,000.00
IRS Motivated Bankruptcy – $500,000.00 plus IRS debt reduced to less than $60,000.00
IRS Debt Challenge – $200,000.00 plus reduced to less than $50,000.00
IRS Business Offer in Compromise – $550,000.00 plus reduced to less than $100,000.00
HISTORY
Bar Admissions:
Arizona
US Tax Court
US District Court for the District of Arizona
Education:
Juris Doctor – California Western School of Law 1996
Bachelor of Arts – Arizona State University 1993
Awards/Certifications:
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Award, 2016
CCH – Wolters Kluwer IRS Representation Certificate 2013
Veteran’s Administration Attorney Accreditation, 2012