WHAT DO I DO WHEN AN IRS AGENT CONTACTS ME?
An IRS Agent has contacted me
What should you do if an IRS agent shows up at your business, place of employment or your home. The best thing to do is to tell the IRS Agent that you wish to consult a representative before proceeding any further. If you ask this, the IRS must stop the interview immediately. If the IRS agent does not allow you to have representation they are violating Internal Revenue Cope Section 7521 (b) (2) which says.
“If the taxpayer clearly states to an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service at any time during any interview (other than an interview initiated by an administrative summons issued under subchapter A of chapter 78) that the taxpayer wishes to consult with an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or any other person permitted to represent the taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service, such officer or employee shall suspend such interview regardless of whether the taxpayer may have answered one or more questions.”
Requesting representation does not make you look guilty. In most cases the IRS representative will feel that you know your rights and that you are serious about following through. In a nice way, it notifies the agent that you are not frightened by their efforts to catch with your guard down. The agent will give you a card and a deadline to get back to them with your representative, who will need to file an IRS form 2848.
Your representation needs to contact the IRS as soon as possible to find out specifically what the IRS is seeking—filing back tax returns, pay back taxes, etc. I can represent you before the IRS without you being present and in most cases that is the best way to work with the IRS. In certain cases the IRS can issue a summons that requires you to be present whether or not you have a representative.
One final suggestion. Never get mad or argumentative or issue any threats. This is a signal to the Agent that you are not going to be cooperative and will make things harder for your representative and perhaps increase the extent of the work needed to get a settlement with the IRS. Schedule a free consultation to visit with Scott Allen EA so he can discuss your matter and give you good reliable advice. If you see fit, he can be your IRS power of attorney and represent you from start to finish.
Scott Allen E. A.
Tax Debt Advisors, Inc.