Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Is Your OIC (Offer In Compromise) Processable

As a result of TIPRA, beginning July 17, 2006 in order to be considered for an OIC, a taxpayer must have met all of the following requirements:
The taxpayer is not a debtor in an open bankruptcy proceeding.
The $150 application fee, or a signed Form 656-A, "Income Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee and Payment" must be submitted.
The 20 percent payment with the lump sum offer, or a signed Form 656-A, "Income Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee and Payment" must be submitted.
The first installment payment on a periodic payment offer, or a signed Form 656-A, "Income Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee and Payment" must be submitted.
An offer that is received with a payment that is less than 20 percent payment on a lump sum offer will be deemed processable but the taxpayer will be asked to pay the remaining balance in order to avoid having the offer returned. Failure to submit the remaining balance will cause the IRS to return the offer and retain the $150 application fee.
Taxpayers filing a periodic payment offer (e.g. short term periodic, or deferred periodic offer) are required to submit the full amount of their first installment payment in order to meet the processability criteria. If the full amount of the first installment payment is not provided, the IRS will deem the offer not processable and will return the $150 application fee to the taxpayer.
If during the OIC investigation the initial offer amount is determined to be insufficient and not reflective of the taxpayer's ability to pay, the taxpayer will in most instances, be contacted and asked to increase the offer and submit the corresponding 20 percent payment if the offer was filed as a lump sum cash offer, or the periodic payment if the offer is a short term or deferred payment offer. The IRS may reject the offer if a taxpayer fails to increase the offer and provide the additional payment(s). The IRS will credit the taxpayer's account(s) with any payment(s) submitted with the original offer.
The IRS will deem an OIC "accepted" that is not withdrawn, returned, or rejected within 24 months after IRS receipt. If a liability included in the offer amounts is disputed in any judicial proceeding that time period is omitted from calculating the 24-month timeframe.
Application Fee Required for OIC - All taxpayers who submit a Form 656, "Offer in Compromise" must pay a $150 application fee except in two instances:
The OIC is submitted based solely on "doubt as to liability;" or>
The taxpayer's total monthly income falls at or below 250% of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) poverty income levels.



If have further questions or need IRS help, please contact someone who is a licensed professional and skilled at resolving tax resolution issues.

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