Providing tax representation, personal income tax preparation, and consulting services nationwide as well as to U.S. citizens internationally.

UPDATE: October 28, 2024 . . . THE 2023 EXTENDED INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX FILING DEADLINE HAS PASSED!
If you have not filed your return for 2023, you should do it as soon as possible. That also goes for paying any balance due. The late payment penalty and interest together approach 14% a year. That is not a bargain rate!! Further, by having a balance due, you risk the chance of the IRS (or any state tax agency for that matter) enforcing collection by issuing a levy, wage withholding order, or some other form of enforcement. If necessary, you can set up a payment plan (installment agreement), or possibly qualify for an offer in compromise.

BACKGROUND

My experience includes almost 35 years in the IRS in technical and managerial positions, achieving the position of Associate Chief in the Office of IRS Appeals. During my IRS career, I worked on numerous cases involving IRS collections, examinations, and appeals. Now in private practice as a United States Treasury licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) and Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner (FATP), I offer my breadth of knowledge and experience to clients in matters of IRS, FTB, and other state tax agencies representation (audits, collections, and appeals), consultation, personal income tax preparation, and litigation support (expert witness).

My goal as an EA is to help you navigate the often-complex world of tax administration and enforcement to minimize financial consequences and stress.

This is your one-stop shop for IRS and FTB tax help!! The sooner you get help, generally the less complex and costly your resolution.

TAX PRACTICE AREAS (Click here for more detailed information)

Who are Enrolled Agents?
Enrolled Agents (EAs) are tax professionals who receive their exclusive right to practice before the IRS directly from the United States Government (US Treasury Department), proving their competence in matters of Federal taxation before the United States Treasury Department.  Most Enrolled Agents (EAs) focus on tax return preparation with a smaller number providing tax resolution services.

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and attorneys are licensed by individual states and may or may not specialize in tax audit, collection, or administrative appeal resolution.

Owe a Lot of Back Taxes and Want to Take an International Trip?
It’s imperative to promptly address and settle your tax obligations if you’re considering traveling outside the United States. The IRS is now communicating with the State Department, prompting them to take action such as denying the issuance of new passports or renewals or even revoking existing passports for taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities exceeding $62,000 in tax, penalties, and interest (as of 2024). Booking a trip abroad only to encounter the unpleasant surprise of being unable to leave the U.S. due to a revoked passport or inability to get a new one is a scenario best avoided at all costs!

IRS Scams
Be alert to fraudulent contacts by scammers pretending to be IRS employees! Thousands of taxpayers suffer financial loss and identity theft monthly when they provide personal and financial information or make payments to these fraudsters!! Most of these crooks use scare tactics like claiming a warrant will be issued for your arrest or that they are going to levy (attach) your bank and other financial accounts or salary if you do not pay immediately! They often demand payment by a weird method such as by gift cards, virtual currency, or a Western Union money transfer.

The typical and legitimate method for the IRS to make initial contact with you is almost always by letter or notice of a pending tax audit or non-payment of a liability. If you have never received such a letter or notice, be very careful about unexpected calls allegedly from the IRS! Bottom line – if you are surprised by a call from someone alleging to be from the IRS, get their name, employee or badge number, the title of their position, their office address, and their contact phone number, and then tell them you will call them back after you have verified their information.  You can then call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and confirm that the call was legitimate.  If you cannot get through to the IRS, you can call me, and I will verify the information through my channels.

Communicating with the IRS or State Tax Agency Employees
Taxpayers should exercise care in deciding whether or not to personally talk with IRS or state tax agency employees. In the worst-case scenario, making the wrong statement could turn what should have been a civil resolution into potentially a criminal tax matter. IRS Agents are well-trained to look for “badges of fraud” in their audits. Always be truthful in your statements to IRS or state employees. An intentionally false statement or providing fabricated documents can land you in very hot water! Retaining the services of an EA or other qualified and experienced professional to handle direct communication with an IRS or State tax agency employee is my recommendation.

Should you handle your tax controversy or audit?
Navigating the IRS and State tax controversy resolution process can be complicated. To effectively manage it alone, a taxpayer would need to invest substantial time delving into the nuances of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, case law, rulings, procedures, and the revered Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) that dictates IRS protocols. In addition, it takes education and experience to master tax strategies for negotiating favorable resolutions. The financial ramifications of handling a tax controversy independently could far surpass the cost of enlisting the services of a tax resolution specialist such as an enrolled agent or CPA. Just be aware that not all accountants, attorneys, or enrolled agents specialize in tax resolution services. Having prior experience – especially from within the IRS – should prove valuable in negotiating a favorable resolution to your controversy.

When to enlist professional help.
While I generally do not recommend any taxpayer take on the IRS or a State tax agency on their own, I am sensitive to clients with financial challenges and may be able to suggest ways to get IRS tax audit or collection help and guidance while minimizing out-of-pocket costs. If you feel capable and comfortable with communicating directly with an IRS Revenue Officer, IRS Revenue Agent, IRS Tax Compliance Officer (TCO), IRS Appeals Officer, IRS Settlement Officer, or any other employee involved in your IRS or California tax audit or collection controversy, retaining me to explain your options, suggest strategic guidance and review documents could make the difference between the success or failure of your tax resolution efforts! If you get in over your head, I am available and qualified to jump in and take over to resolve your tax controversy.

Time is of the essence when dealing with tax issues. From my 34+ years of inside-the-IRS experience, I assure you the earlier you seek and receive tax audit or collection tax help for resolving your IRS, FTB, or state audit, tax collection, or other tax controversy, the faster you can resume a normal life. Tax audit and collection problems are like tooth decay. They will get worse if ignored and likely result in a “financial” root canal! You do NOT want the IRS, FTB, or other state tax agency doing a “root canal” on your finances!!

An important note about tax liabilities.
Tax liabilities are almost always secured debts.  An IRS federal lien arises after demand and non-payment of tax, including interest, additions to tax, and assessable penalties. The lien is affixed at the time the assessment is made and continues until satisfied or it becomes unenforceable. The lien is not perfected against certain creditors until public notice is given, but the timing of the secured interest still arises at assessment. Issues surrounding the priority of liens and competing claims can be complicated, and advice/assistance from an attorney may be needed. The services I provide relate solely to secured tax debts and all references on this website related to resolution of Federal or State liabilities relate to secured tax liabilities. If you have unsecured debts, such as credit cards or personal loans, help is available from numerous attorneys or specialized debt-resolution companies to address those types of liabilities. 

Do your homework before selecting a firm to represent you!
I highly recommend you research any individual or firm BEFORE you commit to having them represent you in your IRS tax or State tax audit, collection, or administrative appeal matter. You can delegate authority to have someone represent you but ultimately you are solely responsible for your IRS or State income or employment tax liability. The Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance are two sources worth checking out. You should be aware that many large firms have a high turnover of employees. Being shuffled among employees can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience for the clients and can frustrate the IRS or State employees as well.

Accessibility.
Many of my clients are local (Santa Clarita, Saugus, Newhall, Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, and other Los Angeles County cities and valleys). However, many other clients reside in other counties and states, as well as internationally (I currently have a client in Oman!). With today’s technology, we can communicate effectively over the internet including video conferencing.

Local clients have the option of meeting in my Santa Clarita office. For those with mobility restrictions, I may be available to meet at their residence. Clients appreciate my accessibility – and the fact that they ALWAYS will have me assisting or representing them in their tax audit, collection, or appeals case – never a junior employee.

Updated: 10/28/24

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