In most cases, a $150 application will be required and the first payment.
In 2012, the IRS expanded the Fresh Start Program to allow more taxpayers to apply for tax relief. The main change in the program is that if an IRS agent considers a taxpayer eligible for an Offer In Compromise, the IRS will now make it easier to calculate the taxpayer's future income. The program has not seen any significant changes since 2012. However, the IRS examiners have been able to qualify taxpayers for tax relief at a different rate in recent years. The Fresh Start Tax Program saw record-breaking numbers of qualified applicants in 2020. The increase in Fresh Start tax relief applications and IRS' leniency in approving cases was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused financial hardship for millions of Americans. Many taxpayers will still be facing financial hardship in 2021, including students, parents, small-business owners, and parents. Experts in tax predict that the IRS Fresh Start Program eligibility will remain looser for a while, but it is unlikely that the IRS will relax its strict application requirements for a prolonged period. To determine if you are eligible for tax debt relief in 2020, check your eligibility for the 2021 IRS Fresh Start Initiative Program.
An IRS Fresh Start Program Offer in Compromise, or OIC, is an agreement that allows taxpayers to resolve their tax debt for less than the full amount they owe. It is the best form of Fresh Start tax relief available through the Fresh Start Initiative.Although an Offer in Compromise is the best option to reduce your tax debt through the Fresh Start Program, the qualifications are strict. This method is reserved only for taxpayers who are in difficult economic situations, and do not have the financial resources to pay off their federal tax debt in full. Due to the strict requirements for an OIC, not everyone who owes thousands of dollars to the IRS will qualify for the program.Your chances of achieving an Offer in Compromise increase tremendously if you have a certified tax relief company on your side. Tax experts have a skillful understanding of the IRS Fresh Start Program qualifications, and will not be bullied or tricked by the IRS into a less-than-optimal resolution.Please refer to our “How to Avoid Tax Relief Scams” section to ensure that you stay away from fraudulent tax resolution companies in your search for professional tax relief representation. These companies will promise you an OIC without first analyzing your specific tax situation and preparing the necessary forms for the IRS. The IRS is the ONLY entity that can approve of an Offer in Compromise. The right tax relief company will be transparent about their process, experienced in negotiating with the IRS and getting results for their clients, and will center their strategies around you and your financial needs.