Los Angeles IRS and FTB Tax Help – Tax Audits, Collections, and Appeals

I am a federally licensed Enrolled Agent and former Associate Chief of the IRS Los Angeles Office of Appeals. I focus my practice on helping individuals and businesses resolve IRS, FTB, and other state tax controversies. If you live or work in Los Angeles and are facing an IRS audit, wage garnishment, bank levy, tax lien, or need IRS or FTB tax help or representation, please contact me. I provide experienced IRS tax help and representation backed by nearly 35 years with the IRS and more than 23 years in private practice.

I assist and represent clients throughout Los Angeles County. This includes the city of Los Angeles. In fact, many of my clients are from the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and San Gabriel Valleys. As a federally licensed EA, I represent taxpayers throughout California, across the United States, and even internationally. I accomplish this through secure electronic communication and video conferencing.

Why Work with a Local Tax Professional?

Choosing a local representative means you have someone available for in-person meetings when needed, while still benefiting from secure remote communication. Our office is about 35 minutes from Los Angeles. As a Los Angeles County practitioner and former IRS multi-divisional manager, I understand the tax system policies and procedures. I also understand the concerns of local individuals and business owners. Whether you live in the San Fernando Valley communities that include Burbank, Glendale, and North Hollywood, or anywhere in California for that matter, experienced representation is just a phone call away.

What types of cases do you handle?

I assist clients with almost every type of tax controversy, including the following:

• IRS Audits 
• IRS Collections 
• IRS Appeals 
• IRS Installment Agreements 
• Offers in Compromise 
• Penalty Abatement 
• Wage Garnishments 
• Bank Levies 
• Federal Tax Liens 
• Passport Revocation Cases 
• Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) 
• California Franchise Tax Board Matters 
• Multi-State Tax Problems 
• Delinquent Tax Returns 
• Innocent Spouse Relief
• Currently Not Collectible Status
• Payroll Tax Problems
• IRS Revenue Officer Cases
• IRS Notice Responses
• IRS Letter Reviews
• Collection Due Process (CDP) Appeals
• Collection Appeals Program (CAP) Appeals
• Equivalent Hearings

Why Retain an Enrolled Agent to Help You?

Enrolled Agents are federally licensed tax professionals who have earned unlimited practice rights before the IRS. States issue CPAs and attorneys’ licenses. Enrolled Agents are licensed directly by the U.S. Treasury Department and may represent taxpayers nationwide.

Most Enrolled Agents (EAs) focus on preparing tax returns. Fewer specialize in providing IRS tax resolution services. EA tax resolution specialists deal with IRS, FTB, and other agency tax matters. These matters include tax audits, collection controversies and enforcement, and administrative appeals.

Why Should Clients Choose My Firm?  

Here is a list of some reasons:

✓ Former Associate Chief, IRS Appeals

✓ Nearly 35 years with the IRS in technical and managerial positions

✓ More than 23 years representing taxpayers

✓ Experience in IRS Collection, Examination, and Appeals

✓ Federally Licensed Enrolled Agent

✓ Nationwide Representation

✓ One-on-One Personal Service

✓ Direct Representation—You Work with Me, Not Staff

Additionally, I have over 34 years of inside-the-IRS experience. During that time, I held many technical and managerial positions. As a result, I was appointed Associate Chief in the Office of IRS Appeals. During my career at the IRS, I conducted managerial reviews of thousands of IRS cases involving collections, audits, and appeals. Moreover, my inside-the-IRS experience informs how tax matters are examined, taxes collected, and controversies resolved. 

This experience explains why I have dedicated my private practice to representing taxpayers. Specifically, this concerns IRS and state tax controversies involving audits, collections, and administrative appeals.

As a result, I bring 23 years in post-IRS practice as an EA and FATP, helping Los Angeles residents and others. Those services include resolving complex tax controversies such as audits, collections, and administrative appeals. I also prepare current and delinquent individual income tax returns. While my main office is located in Santa Clarita, California (about 35 miles NW of Los Angeles), I represent clients in all 50 states and internationally, thanks to today’s technology.

Owe a Lot of Back Taxes and Plan to Take an International Trip?

If so, please read this carefully!! It’s imperative to promptly address and settle your IRS tax obligations if you’re planning to travel outside the United States. Additionally, the IRS communicates with the United States Department of State to seek its assistance with IRS collection enforcement. These actions include denying passport issuance or renewal and revoking existing passports. This applies to taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities exceeding $66,000 (for 2026; this amount adjusts annually), including penalties and interest. These tax debts include U.S. individual income taxes. They also cover trust fund recovery penalties (TFRP), business taxes for which taxpayers are personally liable, and other civil penalties.

Fortunately, there are often ways to prevent passport certification or have it reversed by successfully resolving the underlying tax liability.

Should you try to resolve your controversy yourself?

Some taxpayers successfully resolve routine IRS matters on their own. However, complex audits, collection actions, and appeals often involve legal and procedural issues that can significantly affect the outcome.  Taxpayers should exercise caution when deciding whether to speak directly with an IRS Revenue Agent, Revenue Officer, Appeals Officer, Settlement Officer, Tax Compliance Officer, or a state tax agency employee. Inadvertently making the wrong statement could turn what should have been a civil resolution into a more serious tax matter. 

In my opinion, taxpayers should never agree to an interview with an IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent without first obtaining legal counsel.  

If for financial reasons you wish to attempt resolution on your own, you can retain me in a consulting capacity. This would include reviewing correspondence from the IRS and your responses, and providing recommendations for resolving the tax matter.  If you get in over your head at any point, I can step in and represent you to resolve your matter. 

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, FTB, or other state tax agency audit, collection, or administrative appeal matter. You can delegate authority to have someone represent you. However, you are solely responsible for your IRS, FTB, or other state income or employment tax liability.

The Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance are two sources worth checking out. My home page includes a link to my BBB profile. Many large firms experience high employee turnover. Being shuffled among employees can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience for clients. Further, changing representatives during an audit or collection proceeding can frustrate IRS or State employees.

If you contact a large firm, ask who will be handling your case. In many national firms, the person you meet initially is not the individual who will ultimately represent you before the IRS.  If you opt to have me represent you. I will negotiate with the tax agency on your behalf throughout the entire process.

How can I get more information or contact you for assistance?

I spent considerable time putting together this website. I cover numerous technical topics under the Research Data menu, as well as many posts in the Blog section relevant to current tax law changes and trends. The FAQs provide even more guidance and information. Click on the Contact menu option to send me your questions. Please do not forget to provide your contact information, including your e-mail address, for my response.

My goal is not simply to resolve your immediate tax problem. I want to help you understand your options, protect your rights, and achieve the best resolution permitted under the tax laws.

If you are facing an IRS audit, collection action, tax lien, wage garnishment, bank levy, or a similar California FTB matter, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation. Whether you need full representation or simply an experienced second opinion, please contact me to schedule a consultation.

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