IRS problem resolution by an Enrolled Agent
Got an IRS letter? Do not guess your way through it.
A Plus Tax helps individuals and business owners respond to IRS notices, audits, penalties, back taxes, unfiled returns, FBAR problems, levies, liens, and payment issues. You get a clear review, a response strategy, and direct representation before the IRS.
IRS problems we help resolve
Most IRS problems are manageable once the facts are organized and the response is handled correctly.
IRS notices and letters
CP2000 underreporter notices, CP501, CP503, CP504 balance due notices, audit letters, transcript issues, and document requests.
Audits and examinations
Correspondence audits, office audits, and field audits for individuals and businesses, including document response and representation.
Tax debt, levies, and liens
Help with back taxes, wage garnishments, bank levies, federal tax liens, and collection pressure from the IRS.
Unfiled returns
Catch-up filing for multiple years, transcript review, compliance planning, and penalty reduction strategies when available.
Payment plans and settlements
Installment agreements, Currently Not Collectible status, and Offer in Compromise review when settlement may be realistic.
FBAR and foreign account problems
Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures and correction strategy for taxpayers who missed foreign account reporting obligations.
Why an Enrolled Agent matters for IRS problems
An Enrolled Agent is the only tax professional federally licensed by the IRS itself. Unlike CPAs or attorneys, whose credentials cover broader accounting or legal work, an EA credential is focused on taxation and IRS procedure.
Enrolled Agents have unlimited practice rights. That means an EA can represent any taxpayer, on any tax matter, before any IRS office in the country. There is no geographic restriction and no limit on the types of IRS cases that can be handled.
For IRS notices, audits, tax debt, penalties, and unfiled returns, that specialization matters. You are working with someone whose professional focus is the tax code, IRS procedure, and representation.
What we review first
We look at the notice or issue, tax year, response deadline, IRS transcript, account history, prior returns, missing filings, and whether the IRS position is actually correct.
The goal is not to panic and pay an amount just because a letter arrived. The goal is to understand what the IRS has on file, where the problem started, and which response gives you the best defensible path forward.
If representation is needed, A Plus Tax prepares the response, filing, application, or resolution request and communicates with the IRS directly.
Real resolution work
What IRS resolution actually looks like
Each case depends on the facts, but good IRS resolution work follows the same pattern: identify the issue, compare it to the records, prepare the response, and follow the case until the IRS closes it or agrees to a collection solution.
A client received a CP2000 claiming $18,400 in additional unreported income. After reviewing the return and IRS matching data, we identified a 1099-K discrepancy that had already been reported elsewhere. The IRS closed the case with $0 additional tax owed and a $4,200 proposed penalty abated in full.
A dual Israeli-American client had not filed FBARs for three years despite having reportable foreign accounts. We filed the missing years through the IRS Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures, bringing the client into compliance with no penalties.
How the IRS resolution process works
You should know what is happening, what we are asking the IRS for, and what the next deadline is.
Review the issue
We review the notice, letter, tax debt, penalty, audit, or unfiled return issue and explain the options.
Pull the IRS file
We request transcripts and account history to understand exactly what the IRS has on file.
Prepare the strategy
We prepare the response, filing, installment agreement, abatement request, or settlement analysis.
Represent and resolve
We communicate with the IRS and follow the case through closure or an agreed resolution.
Fees and expectations
No surprise invoices. Scope and pricing are discussed before representation work begins.
Consultation
$150/hour
Best for reviewing a notice, deadline, tax year, and next steps before committing to representation.
Notice responses
$300-$750
Most straightforward IRS correspondence notices are resolved in 2-5 hours of professional time.
Complex cases
Flat quote
Audits, Offers in Compromise, tax debt, and multi-year unfiled returns are quoted after initial review.
IRS problem resolution FAQs
Quick answers before you reach out.
What does an enrolled agent do for IRS problems?
An enrolled agent reviews the IRS notice or issue, requests account transcripts, prepares the response or filing, and represents you before the IRS. You do not need to speak with the IRS yourself.
How long does it take to resolve an IRS notice?
Many correspondence notices are resolved within four to eight weeks after a complete response is submitted. Audits, Offers in Compromise, and complex tax debt cases can take several months.
What is the difference between an enrolled agent and a CPA for IRS representation?
Both may represent taxpayers before the IRS. The difference is focus: an EA credential is federally licensed and tax-specific, while a CPA credential covers broader accounting and financial services.
Can you help with unfiled tax returns?
Yes. We help clients bring multiple years of unfiled returns into compliance and review whether penalty abatement or other compliance options may apply.
Can you help with FBAR penalties or missed foreign account filings?
Yes. We review missed FBAR filings, foreign account facts, and whether Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures or another correction path may be appropriate.
Should I pay the IRS notice right away?
Not always. Some notices are correct, and some are not. It is better to review the notice, transcript, and prior return before paying an amount that may be wrong.
Ready to respond before the deadline passes?
Send the notice type, tax year, deadline, and a short explanation of what happened. We will help you understand the next step.