There are unmistakable signs that you have been targeted by the IRS:
You let a deadline slip by. Deadlines are important. Ignore them, and you can expect to be acted against, and with a vengeance. If you are confused about a deadline, that is a good reason to contact a tax lawyer.
You declined to return a call or letter. Your IRS Revenue Officer lives where you do, and is just a short drive away. If he or she is interested in your tax payment, communicate back.
You stop opening your mail. This is a sure sign that your stress has gotten to the point where you are living in denial.
Have you been pyramiding? Pyramiding is when your tax debts keep growing from year to year. It is a red flag to the IRS. Ignore this basic rule, and you may expect the barrage to begin. If you are deep in the weeds, show the IRS that your intentions are good by making estimated quarterly tax payments.
You receive a letter from the IRS marked Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Rights to an Appeals Hearing. This is your last chance to prevent back taxes from being taken from your bank accounts. If the IRS sent you this letter and you declined to appeal, you are positioned neatly in their crosshairs.
You get word from your bank that your accounts have been “attached.” This is the equivalent of a tow truck jacking up your car. The end has begun.
You show up for work and wonder why the flatbed truck is parked in front. They are there to cart off your business assets. How will you pay your taxes if the IRS puts you out of business?
You wonder who these people are inside, armed and wearing Kevlar vests. These are IRS agents, and they are there to make sure your business data is not erased. Don’t worry, they are at your home, too, confiscating any business information there.
If any of these actions are underway in your life, it is time to seek experienced legal counsel. In fact, it’s a little late. But it is never too late to have a knowledgeable advocate in your corner.