Back Tax IRS Help in Phoenix AZ: Audit Reversal

How Scott Allen EA of Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. Helped Olivia Resolve Her IRS Tax Problem for 2016
Expert IRS Help for Back Taxes and Audit Reversals in Phoenix, AZ

Dealing with the IRS can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially when facing large tax debts caused by substitute tax returns or IRS audits. Fortunately, for taxpayers in Phoenix, AZ, there is a trusted local solution. Tax Debt Advisors, Inc., has been helping Arizona residents resolve their IRS back tax issues since 1977. With a proven track record of negotiating favorable outcomes with the IRS, Scott Allen EA recently helped a client named Olivia resolve a significant tax debt for tax year 2016 by filing a successful protest of an IRS-substituted return.

This blog details how Scott Allen EA was able to reduce Olivia’s IRS debt by over $66,000—bringing her balance down from $99,009.18 to $32,173.93—through effective IRS representation, accurate tax return preparation, and expert negotiation. If you’re searching for help with back taxes or IRS problems in Phoenix, AZ, this story will give you hope and direction.

IRS Debt Reduction Phoenix AZ

Olivia’s IRS Problem: A Tax Bill She Couldn’t Believe

Olivia, a Phoenix-area resident, came to Scott Allen EA at Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. after receiving an IRS notice showing she owed over $99,000 for her 2016 taxes. The IRS had filed a Substitute for Return (SFR) on her behalf—a process where the IRS prepares a return using available third-party information (like W-2s or 1099s), often without the deductions, credits, or adjustments the taxpayer would be entitled to if they filed themselves.

As a result, Olivia’s tax liability was grossly overstated. The IRS also added several penalties, including failure-to-pay, accuracy-related penalties, and interest, further ballooning her balance. Olivia didn’t know where to turn. She needed an experienced tax professional who understood the IRS system and could fix the damage caused by the SFR.

Enter Scott Allen EA – Local IRS Help You Can Trust

Scott Allen EA, the principal of Tax Debt Advisors, Inc., took Olivia’s case personally and professionally. Based in Mesa, AZ, just outside Phoenix, Tax Debt Advisors has been a family-owned business for nearly five decades. Scott Allen EA continues the legacy by providing hands-on, personalized IRS representation.

When Olivia met with Scott, he immediately began by analyzing her IRS account transcripts to understand the scope of the problem. He confirmed that the IRS filed a Substitute for Return and that Olivia had never submitted an original 2016 return.

Scott’s plan of action was clear:

File an SFR protest return to replace the IRS-prepared version.
Correct the reported income, add eligible deductions, and claim credits.
Negotiate penalty reductions where possible.
Establish a reasonable payment plan or resolution for any remaining balance.

The SFR Protest Return: Correcting the IRS’s Errors

The IRS’s Substitute for Return process does not work in the taxpayer’s favor. It often reports gross income without adjusting for business expenses, education credits, dependent exemptions, or standard deductions.

Scott Allen EA worked with Olivia to reconstruct her 2016 income and gather documentation for business expenses and tax credits. Key components of the amended return included:

Reporting qualified business expenses previously ignored.
Claiming the refundable education credit Olivia qualified for.
Correcting inaccuracies in reported 1099 income.

Scott prepared and filed a complete and accurate 2016 Form 1040-A on Olivia’s behalf. This was submitted as a formal protest to the IRS’s SFR, requesting the IRS accept her version as the accurate return.

IRS Results: Over $66,000 Eliminated in Tax Debt

After several months of correspondence and case monitoring, Scott Allen EA received a notice from the IRS, CP21A dated June 2, 2025. The outcome was better than Olivia had hoped for.

Here’s how the IRS responded to the protest:

IRS Adjustments	Amount
Original IRS balance before protest	$99,009.18
Decrease in tax due to corrected return	-$35,883.00
Education credit applied	-$844.00
Decrease in accuracy-related penalty	-$7,345.00
Failure-to-pay penalty reduction	-$9,181.75
Interest adjustment	-$13,581.50
Final balance due after all adjustments	$32,173.93

This represented a reduction of more than $66,800—a dramatic win for Olivia.

Why Hiring a Local IRS Tax Specialist Matters

In a world filled with national tax resolution firms that advertise heavily but often deliver poor results, Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. stands out as a local, family-owned firm that prioritizes the taxpayer’s best interests. Unlike call-center based tax companies, Scott Allen EA meets face-to-face with his clients, offering transparency, continuity, and personalized service.

Taxpayers like Olivia benefit from local expertise because:

Scott understands Arizona-specific tax challenges.
He builds long-term relationships with his clients.
He operates ethically, never promising unrealistic outcomes.
He has direct access to IRS transcripts and case resolution options through his Enrolled Agent status.

Back Tax Filing and IRS Debt Solutions in Phoenix, AZ

Scott Allen EA helps clients not only file protest returns like Olivia’s but also resolves unfiled back taxes and negotiates IRS settlements. Whether someone owes the IRS for one year or multiple years, Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. can help with:

Filing unfiled tax returns.
Protesting IRS audits and Substitute for Returns.
Removing penalties and interest where possible.
Setting up Installment Agreements or Currently Non-Collectible Status.
Submitting Offers in Compromise when appropriate.

Each case is evaluated individually to determine the best route for resolution. Olivia’s case was a perfect example of how filing a correct return with proper documentation can dramatically change the IRS’s stance.

Warning: Don’t Ignore IRS Notices

One of the reasons Olivia’s tax debt grew so large was that she did not initially respond to IRS notices. Many taxpayers delay dealing with IRS letters because they feel overwhelmed, but this only worsens the problem. The longer a debt sits, the more penalties and interest accrue.

The good news is that it’s never too late to take control of your IRS issue. Scott Allen EA has helped thousands of Arizona taxpayers get back on track with their taxes—even those who haven’t filed in many years.

Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. – Over 47 Years of IRS Resolution in Arizona

Founded in 1977, Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. has helped resolve over 114,000 IRS debts. With nearly five decades of service, they remain one of the most trusted names in tax relief in Phoenix and Mesa, AZ.

Scott Allen EA continues the family tradition with a strong focus on:

Ethical representation
Client education
Long-term tax planning
Honest assessments and solutions

Their office is conveniently located in Mesa and serves clients throughout the Phoenix Valley, including Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Glendale.

Are You Facing IRS Back Tax Problems?

If you’ve received a notice from the IRS like a CP21A, CP2000, or a balance due for unfiled taxes, don’t panic. Like Olivia, you can find relief with the right help.

Scott Allen EA offers free initial consultations and can pull your IRS records to assess the situation before taking any action. Whether it’s filing past-due returns, protesting a substitute return, or negotiating a settlement, Scott will walk you through each step of the process.

Contact Tax Debt Advisors, Inc. Today

Don’t wait for IRS penalties and interest to pile up. Let Scott Allen EA help you get back on track.

📍 Tax Debt Advisors, Inc.
3155 E Southern Ave Ste 101
Mesa, AZ 85204
📞 Call: (480) 926-9300
🌐 www.TaxDebtAdvisors.com