People panic when dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. It can feel like your financial world is at risk, and you want to urgently remedy whatever issue is at hand. We understand this because we work with taxpayers every day to help them get out of trouble with the IRS.
In some cases, though, the IRS shows a lot less urgency than the taxpayer does. You get a notice from the IRS and have a Revenue Officer looking to talk to you about your circumstances. The Revenue Officer may even send you a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and threaten to seize funds from your bank accounts if you do not respond timely to them. But then, suddenly, radio silence. So, what does it mean and what do you do if you don’t hear back from a Revenue Officer you have been trying to reach?
Why an IRS Revenue Officer May Not Be Responding
You are just one of many cases for Revenue Officers and at the IRS in general. There are numerous reasons that you may not hear back right away.
IRS Revenue Officers handle a large caseload, and it’s not uncommon for responses to be delayed. The officer assigned to your case might be on leave or vacation, contributing to the delay in communication. Additionally, Revenue Officers sometimes get reassigned, and your case might fall through the cracks during the transition period. There are many reasons for the lack of response, and while it can be frustrating, it’s often not a sign of neglect or intentional disregard.
What to do if You Don’t Hear Back from the IRS
This could ultimately be beneficial for you, but you need to get it in writing that you’ve reached out. This means sending emails, sending a fax if you have access, and creating a paper trail of your efforts to contact the IRS Revenue Officer assigned to your case. If you know who their manager is, you could also contact their manager.
Creating a paper trail is crucial. Document every attempt you make to contact the IRS Revenue Officer. Send emails, make phone calls, and if possible, send faxes. Ensure you save copies of all correspondence, including emails and fax confirmation sheets. This documentation serves as proof of your efforts to resolve the issue.
Once you have proof that you’ve done your part, you are under no obligation to continue pestering the Revenue Officer or IRS to get back to you. Your role is complete and now the IRS has to do their part. And, ultimately, it could work in your favor. After ten years, the IRS is no longer allowed to collect the taxes owed, so your back taxes may be uncollectible if the IRS allows the 10-year collection statute to expire without taking action to collect the taxes.
Talk to an Attorney for Peace of Mind
Robert V. Boeshaar is an experienced attorney who has helped people across the state of Washington get out of trouble with the IRS. Our team understands the panic and confusion you might feel after hearing from the IRS but then not getting your phone calls returned. It’s important to talk to an attorney to make sure you’re doing your part. Contact our law firm to navigate your situation and get out of trouble with the IRS.
The post What to do if an IRS Revenue Officer Won’t Return Your Calls appeared first on IRS Tax Attorney | Seattle Tax Lawyer for IRS Help.