Time is of the Essence When Dealing with the IRS

admin • Apr 19, 2021

There are laws that regulate the amount of time people have to respond to IRS notices, initial findings, and final decisions.  Any time the IRS is involved, expect specific deadlines which must be met.  If these deadlines are ignored, then you forfeit certain rights. 

The good news is that you do have rights in any dealings with the IRS.  The IRS spells the rights out in detail which helps educate taxpayers about protections they afford you in specific circumstances.  These rights are called the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” and knowing they exist could make all the difference when you negotiate with them.  

One such right is “The Right of Finality.”  This taxpayer right assures you that the IRS must inform taxpayers of the amount of time they have to contest IRS decisions.  “The Right of Finality” also means that the IRS has to inform taxpayers when they complete an audit and how much time the IRS has to collect a tax debt or audit your taxes.  In this article, we will talk about the Right of Finality in detail.

For answers to other questions, contact The Law Office of Mary E. King, P.L.  We can make sure that your tax planning and other issues are resolved efficiently and at the lowest cost to you.  Please fill out our online contact form , or call us at 941-906-7585 today.

1. How Long Does the IRS have to Assess Taxes?

It may seem like the IRS has unlimited power, but they don’t.  There are limits and time frames in which they are allowed to take action.  In most circumstances, the IRS has to notify taxpayers within three years of a return’s filing date that they plan to assess additional taxes for that tax year.  This rule is the reason you have probably heard from different sources that you should keep your taxes and supporting document for at least three years after you file your tax returns. 

The circumstance when you do see a sliver of the unlimited power of the IRS is the timeframe they have to collect taxes for fraudulent returns.  When they allege that someone has filed a false or fraudulent return, there is no limit on the amount of time the IRS can take to assess taxes for that tax year.  If the IRS has contacted you for taxes owed, and you disagree, call a IRS attorney Sarasota, Florida immediately for help.

2. How Long Does the IRS have to Collect Taxes?

There is a time limit on how long the IRS can take to collect any taxes you owe to them.  They have 10 years from the time they actually assess the taxes owed to collect them.  If you have seen circumstances where people have taken longer, this is generally because they have entered into an installment agreement with the IRS for payments spread out over a period that exceeds that 10-year time limit.  

Thinking about entering into an installment agreement with the IRS? Are you sure the amount they state you owe is correct?  Questions like this can be answered by a knowledgeable Sarasota IRS attorney.

3. How Long Do I Have to File for a Refund Claim?

The “Right to Finality” taxpayer right also sets out how long a taxpayer has to file for a refund claim.  This is something you will want to remember because you don’t want to forfeit any money the IRS owes to you.   If you have overpaid taxes to the IRS, you need to follow specific procedures to ask them to refund the amount you overpaid them.  There is a time limit on doing so and a specific procedure to follow. 

You have to file the refund claim within three years of the original tax return, or within two years from when you paid the tax, you want a refund for.  It depends on which event happened last in time on which time limit applies. 

4. What About Time Limits for Statutory Notice of Deficiency?

The IRS will issue a “Statutory Notice of Deficiency” in some circumstances.  When they do that, “The Right to Finality” ensures taxpayers that this notice must include a specific deadline for filing a petition in Tax Court.  Therefore, taxpayers are put on notice of this important deadline which should not be missed.  

If you receive a “Statutory Notice of Deficiency” from the IRS, meet with a Sarasota IRS Attorney as soon as possible so your rights are protected.  This is especially important because there are time deadlines for filing any petition with the Tax Court. 

A Sarasota IRS Attorney will Help You Understand Your Appeal Rights 

Consider reaching out to the Law Offices of Mary E. King for help.  Tax matters can be complicated, and thus, it is always helpful to have someone in your corner who understands the tax law and deals with the IRS on a regular basis.  Indeed, beyond just the tax laws, there could be other issues with which a seasoned tax attorney can help.  

So, when it comes to dealing with tax questions, tax relief, and tax litigation, you need to talk to Sarasota IRS Attorneys who can help.  Mary E. King has spent her career concentrating in tax law and can help you in Florida and elsewhere.  Attorney King has a wealth of information about what types of options would make the most sense for you or your business.

That helps explain why she’s received an A+ rating from the Florida Better Business Bureau. If you have a tax related issue – no matter how small or how large – setting up an initial consultation with Mary E. King, tax lawyer of Florida, is the first step you should take towards relief.

The Law Office of Mary King P.L. offers complete IRS problem-solving services including all areas from tax debt settlement to planning the most efficient tax strategy for individuals and businesses.  Call us today to schedule an initial consultation.  With years of experience as Sarasota IRS Attorneys for many clients, Attorney Mary E. King can make sure that your tax issues are resolved in your favor.  Fill out our online contact form , or call us at 941-906-7585.   Remember, at the Law Office of Mary E. King, we are focused on solving your tax issues for good.

The information in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.  You should not make a decision whether or not to contact an attorney based upon the information in this blog post.  No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied.  If you require legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

The post Time is of the Essence When Dealing with the IRS appeared first on Law Office of Mary E. King P.L..

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