Back Taxes Help & Back Taxes Attorney

You’re in the Right Place If…

At McLaud Law P.C., we help taxpayers and business owners face their back tax issues. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach, because your eligibility for and benefit from the different resolution options available will depend on the facts of your situation. We learn about your circumstances and identify the best possible path toward resolution. 

You’re in the right place if:

• You owe the IRS or New York State and can’t pay in full
• You’re receiving notices
• Your balance keeps growing due to interest and penalties
• You’re worried about warrants or tax liens
• You’re unsure whether a payment plan is the right move
• You want to know about other resolution options
• You want a clear plan before things escalate
• You haven’t filed your taxes in several years
• You think you underreported your tax

We have helped clients in all of these situations – bottom line, if you owe back taxes and need help, you want our team in your corner. 

Why Back Taxes Can Become Unmanageable 

Back taxes, or unpaid taxes, are any federal or State liabilities that were not paid by the original due date. These include income taxes, self-employment taxes, payroll taxes for businesses, and sales tax obligations in New York State.

When you miss the initial deadline, your unpaid taxes can quickly become unmanageable. Being proactive is critical if you want to protect yourself from these consequences:

• Penalties and interest that cause the debt to snowball. IRS failure to pay penalties can accumulate as high as 25% of your balance, and interest stacks on top. New York State applies its own separate penalty and interest structure.
• You’ll face tax liens or NYS warrants. These attach to all of your assets, making it impossible to transfer, sell, or borrow against them. IRS liens last 10 years, while DTF warrants can last 20.
• The IRS or DTF can start involuntary collections. The IRS and New York State have significant collection action powers, including the ability to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, seize assets, and file liens against property. 

A tax debt that felt manageable the first year can grow significantly if you don’t do something about it for two or three years. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can stop the debt from spiraling. 

Situations McLaud Law P.C. Can Help With 

If you’re looking for back taxes help, you’ve come to the right place. We help a wide selection of individual and business taxpayers handle their tax debt problems and find the right resolution for their situation. 

We can help with the following scenarios:

• People with unpaid IRS or New York State balances
• Business owners with payroll or ongoing sales tax issues
• Self-employed taxpayers who have fallen behind on tax payments
• People who have multiple years of unfiled and unpaid returns
• Taxpayers who are currently facing or at risk of collections
• Business owners worried about personal liability for business tax debt
• NY residents with complex tax debt situations who need DTF representation
• Taxpayers and business owners who have already tried it alone

Facing back taxes doesn’t have to be something you do alone. Having the support of a tax attorney and enrolled agents can make all the difference, and the sooner you get us involved, the more we can help you. 

At McLaud Law P.C., we understand the intricacies of the IRS and New York State tax systems and can guide the way. 

Risks of Ignoring Back Taxes: Why You Should Get Help Now

Back tax situations often move faster than people expect. However, there is a predictable process that both the IRS and New York State follow. Understanding it can help you identify the situation you’re currently in. 

When you ignore unpaid taxes, here’s what happens next:

Notices and Balance Due Letters

Both the IRS and New York State begin with a formal notice, sent in the mail, which informs you of the balance you owe. You should make sure that you read these carefully, as they often include deadlines and the next steps that the agency plans to take.

Increasing Penalties and Interest

Without a resolution in place, penalties and interest will continue to accrue on your balance. These effectively increase the total amount you owe on a monthly basis. 

Final Notices and Collection Warnings

The IRS must issue a Final Notice of Intent to Levy before taking any enforcement action against you. That notice triggers a 30-day window in which you have the right to request a hearing. After that, you will have significantly fewer options. Similarly, the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance has administrative appeals rights that are triggered by certain notices and are lost if you do not take advantage of them when you get the chance.

Enforcement Actions 

If you do not take any action, the agency will move on to enforcement actions. These include the following activities: 

• Wage garnishments, which direct your employer to withhold a portion of your paycheck
• Bank levies, which allow the agency to seize funds directly from your bank account
• Federal tax liens or New York tax warrants, which are legal claims against your property that affect your credit and your ability to sell or refinance assets

Ignoring the initial notice is a mistake, putting your financial standing at risk. Working with a back taxes attorney can help you to find the fastest and most effective resolution approach.

Your Options for Resolving Back Taxes

There’s not one single resolution that works for every taxpayer. When you contact our team, we work to understand your tax situation and create a tailored approach to help you resolve it. Options that may be available to you include the following:

Installment Agreements

Installment agreements are monthly payment plans that allow you to pay your back taxes off over time. The IRS has several types of installment agreement options, and the first step is determining which one suits your situation. New York State offers similar agreements. 

Offer in Compromise (OIC)

This is a formal program that allows you to settle your debt for less than the total amount you owe. While acceptance is not guaranteed, for taxpayers who meet the criteria, an Offer in Compromise can result in a meaningful reduction in total liability. Both the IRS and NYS have OIC programs.

Currently Not Collectible status

Often referred to as hardship relief, the Currently Not Collectible status means that the IRS temporarily suspends any activity against your account. Taxpayers are only eligible for this status if their current income and reasonable expenses won’t allow them to make payments. It doesn’t eliminate the debt, but it does stop the enforcement while you’re in financial hardship. NYS does not offer such a status, unfortunately.

Penalty Abatement 

Penalty abatements can help you to reduce the total balance that you owe. If you have reasonable cause for non-filing or non-payment, or you have a clean compliance history, a penalty abatement may be available to you. First-time abatement relief is available to taxpayers who have not previously incurred penalties.

New York State resolution programs

New York State also has its own separate resolution options. Resolving a New York State tax debt involves working through the DTF-specific procedures, which differ from IRS processes. Our NY-licensed tax attorney can help you navigate this process. 

The right option for you will depend largely on your financial standing, where you are in the process, and your tax debt situation. Contact us at McLaud Law P.C. today to begin handling the issue.

Our Process for Back Taxes Help

At McLaud Law P.C., our team includes attorney, Charles McLaud, enrolled agent, Steven Litteer, and an experienced group of tax professionals who are dedicated to resolving tax debt for clients. 

When you reach out to us, we have a straightforward process to help you find the appropriate solution. 

Step 1: Consultation and Case Review

First, we have a confidential, no-obligation consultation with you. Our agents will analyze your case and understand your unique tax situation. 

Step 2: Authorization to Represent You 

Next, we file the necessary paperwork to allow us to communicate with the agency on your behalf. That means you no longer have to deal with the IRS or New York State alone.

Step 3: Financial and Tax Analysis

We will pull and review your IRS and New York State transcripts to get a full idea of your current standing. We check all open balances, identify any unfiled returns that need to be addressed, and learn a wealth of information about how the taxing authorities see your case.

Step 4: Strategy Selection 

Based on your income, assets, and the amount you owe, we identify which pathways are open to you. Next, we will recommend the best strategy for your situation. 

Step 5: Negotiation and Resolution Setup

Next, we will submit the necessary applications, negotiate with the relevant agencies, and work to get a resolution in place. 

Step 6: Ongoing Compliance Guidance

Finally, we provide guidance to help you stay current and avoid any future issues once the resolution has been established. That way, you can stay compliant.

Why Choose McLaud Law for Back Tax Help

At McLaud Law P.C., our team includes a tax attorney and enrolled agents, giving you a well-rounded approach. We have decades of combined experience in both IRS and New York State tax issues and can help you to navigate the process with ease.

We work with both taxpayers and businesses to create strategies tailored to their unique circumstances while focusing on practical, effective solutions. Our aim is to help you resolve the issue and put it behind you, not just manage it. 

Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I can’t pay my taxes?

If you can’t pay your taxes, you must not ignore the problem. The IRS and New York State both offer formal resolution programs for taxpayers who can’t pay in full. Working with an expert is the best way to understand what back tax help is available to you.

Can the IRS or New York State garnish my wages?

Yes. After issuing the Final Notice of Intent to Levy and allowing the required 30-day response period, the IRS has the right to garnish your wages. This means contacting your employer and requiring them to withhold a certain portion of your paycheck. The NY DTF uses an income execution. First, they alert you to let you handle it yourself, but if you don’t respond, they reach out to your employer.

In most cases, you will need a resolution in place before you can stop a wage garnishment.

Can I settle my tax debt for less than I owe?

You may be able to settle your debt for less than you owe through an Offer in Compromise. The taxing authority will evaluate your eligibility for this based on your income, necessary living expenses, assets, and ability to repay your back taxes in the collection period. If accepted, an OIC allows you to pay less than the total amount owed and come into compliance.

What is the best option if I can’t afford payments?

There are several options available if you can’t afford to pay your back taxes in monthly payments. Which is the best fit depends on your individual circumstances. You should consult with an experienced tax resolution professional to analyze those options.

What happens if I ignore tax notices?

Ignoring tax notices doesn’t mean that they will go away. When you fail to take action, your balance accrues interest and penalties, adding to the amount you owe. The agency may also move into enforcement actions, such as wage garnishments and bank levies. 

Get Clear Answers About Your Back Taxes

Unpaid tax debt escalates faster than most people realize. The best way to avoid enforcement activities is to take action as soon as possible. There are resolution options available to you, whatever your circumstances, even if you can’t afford to pay off your back taxes. 

Contact our team for a private, no-obligation consultation to better understand your options. We’ll listen and get an in-depth understanding of your situation before pointing you toward resolution strategies. 

This communication is Attorney Advertising. It is presented for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal situation is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This communication does not create an attorney-client relationship between McLaud Law P.C. and the recipient.