IRS Solutions Software Review

Note: Detailed review coming soon.

There are only four full-featured tax resolution software solutions in existence (plus three partial/lite solutions).

When Canopy launched back in 2014, I was an immediate fan. I was an early informal advisor to the company, and brought them many of their earliest customers. Their software was, at the time, quite groundbreaking in terms of features and user interface compared to the two other options that existed on the market at the time, which I wasn’t at all a fan of.

But over time, Canopy started spending more of their development resources on other projects, particularly their practice management software (which I’m not impressed with). As such, the tax resolution piece started to languish. Now, I don’t blame them — the practice management side is the much larger marketplace, and the company has to answer to venture capital firms now. I get it. But this shift in priorities, as well as their recent move to nickel-and-dime pricing on a per case basis, left a very sour taste in my mouth. Because of the pricing change in particular, I just can’t recommend them any further.

Fortunately, a newcomer to the tax resolution software space has been making amazing strides in the past few years: IRS Solutions Software.

This small, family-owned company was started by two Enrolled Agents, and they’re not out chasing all that VC cheddar. Rather, they’re focused on creating great tax resolution software at an affordable price without any nickel-and-diming.

I’m planning on doing a full review of the software soon, with videos and screen shots to show you just how great it is. But until I put that together, I want to encourage you to try it out yourself.

Head on over to https://IRSsolutions.com, and use coupon code jassen7 to get your first month for just $7. I think you’ll find the interface easier to use, the integrated IRS notice explanations (without additional fee!) to be very helpful, and hands down the best transcript report in the industry (way better than Tax Help Software’s transcript report, in my personal opinion).… Continue reading

Ultimate Guide to IRS Installment Agreements

Many taxpayers find themselves unable to pay their full tax balances when they file their income tax returns. Some common reasons that people might have for being unable to pay their taxes to the IRS include increased investment returns, more self-employment income, bonuses, and salary increases. When a taxpayer is unable to immediately pay his or her tax debt, making payment arrangements will likely be necessary.

The most common type of payment arrangement taxpayers can make to take care of their tax balances is an installment agreement. With this type of arrangement, taxpayers will make monthly payments to the IRS. In most cases, the payments are made by payroll deductions or direct debits. The set-up fee for a direct debit agreement made online is $31. If the direct debit installment agreement is created over the phone, in-person, or by mail, the set-up fee is $107. Fees can be waived for low-income taxpayers.

If the taxpayer enters into an agreement to pay by other methods, the online set-up fee is $149. If the application is made in-person, over the phone, or by mail, the set-up fee is $225. Low-income taxpayers will be charged a set-up fee of $43.

During the installment agreement, late-payment penalties and interest will continue to accrue. However, the late-payment penalties will be halved during the months during which an installment agreement is effective. Installment agreements can be set up by calling the IRS, using the online payment agreement or OPA tool, or filing form 9465. Here is a guide to what you need to know about IRS installment agreements.

Understanding IRS installment agreements

Taxpayers are responsible for meeting their obligations when they owe outstanding tax liabilities to the government. When a tax liability is overdue, the taxpayer will incur monthly late-payment penalties and added interest. To avoid added charges, taxpayers are advised to pay their balances in full. However, some taxpayers are not able to do so. When taxpayers cannot pay what they owe in full, the IRS allows them to enter installment agreements to make monthly payments.

Taxpayers have the following options when they make payments:

  • Payroll deductions
  • Direct debits
  • Payments through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
  • Credit card payments
  • Check or money order payments
  • Payment by the OPA

 

Streamlined IRS Installment Agreements

Streamlined installment agreements are available to individual taxpayers who owe less than $50,000 under IRM 5.14.5.2. This includes all unpaid assessments but does not include … Continue reading

2021 State Tax Deadlines

The IRS has extended the federal due date for filing and payment of 2020 tax returns to May 17, 2021.

The following states/territories have announced their own filing deadline extensions as well. As more states make announcements, we will update this list for you.

Alabama – May 17

Alaska – N/A

Arizona –

Arkansas – May 17

American Samoa –

California – May 17

Colorado – May 17

Connecticut – May 17

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands  –

Delaware – May 17

District of Columbia – July 15

Florida – N/A

Georgia – May 17

Guam – May 17

Hawaii – April 20

Idaho – April 15

Illinois – May 17

Indiana – May 17

Iowa –

Kansas – May 17

Kentucky – May 17

Louisiana – June 15

Maine – May 17

Maryland – July 15

Massachusetts – May 17

Michigan – May 17

Minnesota – May 17

Mississippi –

Missouri – May 17

Montana – May 17

Nebraska – May 17

Nevada – N/A

New Hampshire – N/A

New Jersey – May 17

New Mexico – May 17

New York – May 17

North Carolina – May 17

North Dakota – May 17

Ohio – April 15

Oklahoma – June 15

Oregon – May 17

Pennsylvania – May 17

Puerto Rico – pass-thru entity filing deadline extended from March 15 to April 15

Rhode Island – May 17

South Carolina – May 17

South Dakota – N/A

Tennessee – Hall Tax deadline extended to July 15

Texas – N/A

Utah – May 17

U.S. Virgin Islands – May 17

Vermont – May 17

Virginia – May 17

Washington – N/A

West Virginia – May 17

Wisconsin – May 17

Wyoming – N/A… Continue reading