Federal Tax Liens & COVID-19

As part of the IRS response to the coronavirus pandemic, most IRS Collections activities have been suspended. See this memo on IRS.gov.

This includes the filing of new Forms 668-Y, Notice of Federal Tax Lien. No new tax liens will be filed through July 15, 2020.

Since most county clerks are usually a few weeks behind on processing tax liens sent to them by the IRS, the availability of new tax lien data will begin to taper off over the course of the next several weeks. By mid-May, new tax lien filings will no longer be processed.

Due to this, it’s important to remember that aged tax liens usually produce equally successful marketing results as new liens. We recommend going back up to a full year to download older tax liens from our database for your telemarketing, direct mail, cold email, and PPC marketing efforts.

If you are not yet doing cold email and pay-per-click advertising, these methods can be added to your marketing strategy by running the tax liens through email append services (search the Internet for such providers, we do not offer that service). Then, upload those lists as custom audiences to your PPC ad platform, or do cold email, but be sure to apply all applicable best practices for cold email and comply with CAN-SPAM requirements.

Just because IRS is not currently filing new tax liens does not mean your marketing efforts need to stop. With some slight adjustment, your marketing campaigns can continue producing results for your business.… Continue reading

Webinar Replay: IRS People First Initiative and Collections Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (Plus 2-hour Q&A)

 

This 50-minute webinar, which turned into three hours after the unintended 2-hour Q&A, covers information that CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys need to know in regard to IRS Collections Division actions during the coronavirus situation. This webinar includes technical guidance, marketing suggestions, and tasteless jokes for your entertainment. Recorded: March 27, 2020. Information was accurate as of the date of recording, but may be grossly outdated by the time you actually watch this. Replay not eligible for CPE.

 

Full Text of the People First Initiative News Release

Reposted for archival and informational purposes. Original news release at irs.gov. IR-2020-59, March 25, 2020 WASHINGTON — To help people facing the challenges of COVID-19 issues, the Internal Revenue Service announced today a sweeping series of steps to assist taxpayers by providing relief on a variety of issues ranging from easing payment guidelines to postponing compliance actions. “The IRS is taking extraordinary steps to help the people of our country,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “In addition to extending tax deadlines and working on new legislation, the IRS is pursuing unprecedented actions to ease the burden on people facing tax issues. During this difficult time, we want people working together, focused on their well-being, helping each other and others less fortunate.” “The new IRS People First Initiative provides immediate relief to help people facing uncertainty over taxes,” Rettig added “We are temporarily adjusting our processes to help people and businesses during these uncertain times. We are facing this together, and we want to be part of the solution to improve the lives of all people in our country.” These new changes include issues ranging from postponing certain payments related to Installment Agreements and Offers in Compromise to collection and limiting certain enforcement actions. The IRS will be temporarily modifying the following activities as soon as possible; the projected start date will be April 1 and the effort will initially run through July 15. During this period, to the maximum extent possible, the IRS will avoid in-person contacts. However, the IRS will continue to take steps where necessary to protect all applicable statutes of limitations. “IRS employees care about our people and our country, and they have a strong desire to help improve this situation,” Rettig said. “These new actions reflect just one of many ways our employees are working hard every day to assist the nation. We care, a lot. IRS employees are actively … Continue reading

IRS People First Initiative: Collections Response to COVID-19 Crisis

This week, the IRS launched the “People First Initiative” to help taxpayers with Collections issues that are being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

On this webinar, we will discuss:
• What non-filers need to know.
• How the IRS is handling IA payments during this time.
• Impact on OIC processing.
• Handling of liens, levies, and CSEDs during this economic crisis.

We will be presenting a live CPE webinar on Friday, March 27 to discuss these important changes to Collection processing. For complete details and to register, please visit:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/283369841045960971

 … Continue reading