Articles

IRS: Offer in Compromise

February 7, 2020

Offer In Compromise – Doubt as to Collectibility

There are three types of Offer In Compromise (OIC). The most commonly utilized OIC is the “Offer In Compromise, Doubt as to Collectibility,” or OIC-DATC. This OIC is geared towards those individuals who are unable to pay their current tax obligation and wish to settle for a payment that is less than the amount they actually owe.

For OIC-DATC, taxpayers will need to:
— File Offer in Compromise
— Attach financial statements
— Submit supporting documentation to prove the value of their assets, liabilities, and monthly income and living expenses.

Once submitted, the exact time it takes for the entire process varies from case to case, but we see on average it takes somewhere between  4 weeks to 8 months, all depending on who gets assigned as the examiner and the complexity of the situation.

Offer In Compromise – Effective Tax Administration

Offer In Compromise – Effective Tax Administration is reserved for taxpayers who can pay the tax they owe, but it would cause (1) undue economic hardship, or (2) there are other public policy or equity grounds

1) Undue economic hardship

Economic hardship is a consideration for clients who have the ability to pay their tax debt in full, but doing so would place them in severe economic hardship.

2) Public policy or equity grounds

Public policy and equity offers are for situations when “collection in full would undermine public confidence that the tax laws are being administered in a fair and equitable manner.

Offer In Compromise – Doubt as to Liability

The Pro is that this is more straightforward and less negotiation is needed.  The Con is that this is only available when the taxpayers can provide proof as to why the validity of the tax obligation should be questioned.

Give us a call at (616) 920-0555, or use the email form below, for information on our Offer In Compromise service.