Taxpayer Guides
Plain-language explanations of common IRS problems from Bernie McCarthy, a former IRS Revenue Agent and IRS attorney.
What Happens in a Criminal Tax Investigation?
How IRS criminal tax investigations begin, how agents gather evidence, and why interviews, subpoenas, and prosecution referrals require careful attention. Melbourne Beach tax counsel serving taxpayers nationwide.
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FBAR and Offshore Accounts: What Must You Report?
Understand the FBAR aggregate account threshold, annual filing deadline, separate tax reporting requirements, and options when foreign accounts were not reported. Melbourne Beach tax counsel serving taxpayers nationwide.
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What Happens in U.S. Tax Court?
A step-by-step guide to Tax Court petitions, deficiency deadlines, preparation, settlement, trial, and decisions. Melbourne Beach tax counsel representing taxpayers nationwide.
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What Happens in an IRS Audit?
A step-by-step guide to the IRS audit process: the first letter, types of audits, document requests, the auditor's findings, appeals, and Tax Court. From former IRS attorney Bernie McCarthy.
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Can You Settle IRS Tax Debt for Less Than You Owe?
How an IRS Offer in Compromise works: who qualifies, how the IRS calculates an acceptable offer, what happens while it is pending, and common reasons offers are rejected.
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Got a Letter From the IRS? What It Means and What to Do
What common IRS notices mean, from balance-due reminders and CP2000 proposals to audit letters, notices of deficiency, and final notices of intent to levy, and which deadlines matter most.
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How to Get IRS Penalties Removed
How IRS penalty abatement works: the most common IRS penalties, first-time abatement, reasonable cause, how to request relief, and what to do if the IRS says no.
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How IRS Payment Plans Work
How IRS payment plans and installment agreements work: short-term and long-term plans, who can apply online, what financial information the IRS may require, and how to avoid default.
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