Offer In Compromise
Offer In Compromise - Settle Your Tax Debt for Less
Your OIC Eligibility Assessed In Full
We go through every factor the IRS uses before we recommend anything
THOROUGH
You Never Negotiate With the IRS Directly
Your enrolled agent handles every call, form, and follow-up
HANDS-OFF
Collections Pause the Moment Your OIC Is Filed
IRS enforcement stops while your application is under review
PROTECTED
David Lawrence
IRS Enrolled Agent - 14 Years Experience
ACTIVE
Case Status
In Progess
IRS Notice Received
CP2000 - $24,500 Balance
Day 1
Agent Assigned
David Lawrence taking over
Day 1
IRS Contacted On Your Behalf
Collections Halted - Case Under Review
Day 1
Maria Bennett
Tax Resolution Specialist · 11 Years Experience
ACTIVE
Case Status
In Progess
Wage Garnishment Stopped
Employer Hold Request Submitted
Day 1
Financial Review Completed
Income & Expense Analysis Approved
Day 2
IRS Payment Plan Initiated
Installment Agreement Under Review
Day 3
James Holloway
IRS Resolution Attorney · 16 Years Experience
ACTIVE
Case Status
In Progess
Final IRS Notice Reviewed
CP504 & Collection Warnings Assessed
Day 1
Power Of Attorney Filed
IRS Communication Redirected
Day 1
Resolution Strategy Prepared
Offer In Compromise Evaluation Started
Day 2
What happens when a tax debt keeps growing unchallenged
The IRS Keeps Adding to What You Owe. Every Single Day.
If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. Start with the situation that matches what is happening right now, and you will land on the right next step.
Balance Due Notice Arrives
CP14 or CP2000 shows up. Most people set it aside. This is actually your best moment to explore an OIC.
act now
Penalties and Interest Keep Stacking
The balance grows every month. The number you would have settled for six months ago is now higher.
escalating
Final Notice Before Enforcement
The IRS can now legally move on your wages, accounts, and assets. An OIC can still be filed at this point.
critical
Active Collection Begins
Garnishments and levies start. Your employer and bank are notified. An OIC application pauses enforcement while it is reviewed.
urgent
You Call Us, We File Your OIC
Your enrolled agent reviews your eligibility, prepares the application, contacts the IRS, and stops collections immediately.
Protected
Tax relief is possible
Speak to a tax resolution expert today.
What an Offer In Compromise Actually Is
Most People Assume They Do Not Qualify. Most People Are Wrong.
The OIC is a real IRS program. It is not a loophole or a trick. It exists because the IRS would rather collect something than spend years chasing someone who genuinely cannot pay.
Common Myth
"An Offer in Compromise is only for people who are completely broke."
"If the IRS already started collecting, it is too late to file an OIC."
"The IRS never actually accepts these. It is a waste of time."
"I can just file the OIC myself and save money on a professional."
The Reality
The IRS evaluates your income, expenses, and assets together. You do not have to be destitute to qualify. You just have to show that full repayment is not realistic.
An OIC can be submitted even after enforcement begins. Filing one pauses all collection activity while the IRS reviews your application.
The IRS accepts thousands of OIC applications every year. Acceptance depends on eligibility and how well the application is prepared and documented.
Poorly prepared OIC applications are rejected at a much higher rate. An enrolled agent knows exactly what the IRS looks for and how to document your case correctly.
Ready to find out what applies to your case?
Free consultation • No obligation • confidential
Do you qualify for an OIC?
Find out in Two Minutes
Two quick questions. Then we show you whether an Offer in Compromise is a realistic path for your situation.
Your Options
Find the Right IRS Resolution Program for Your Situation
Offer in Compromise
Can't pay in full
Tax debt is stressful, and tax relief is a serious decision. Our approach is built around clear communication, realistic options, and steady progress, so you understand what is happening and why.
Best for you if
You owe more than you can realistically ever pay back and your income and assets are limited.
Typical Timeline
6 to 12 months from application to IRS decision. Collections paused during review.
Installment Agreement
Pay over time
A structured monthly payment plan negotiated directly with the IRS. Stops collection pressure while giving you a clear, manageable path to resolve your tax balance over an agreed period.
Best for you if
You can afford to pay your debt over time but need a structured plan that stops IRS enforcement.
Typical Timeline
30 to 90 days to set up. Payments begin immediately once approved by the IRS.
Currently Not Collectible
Pause collections
If paying your tax debt would create serious financial hardship, the IRS can temporarily halt all collection activity, no levies, no garnishments, no calls, while your financial situation is reassessed.
Best for you if
You have no ability to pay right now due to hardship, unemployment, or essential living expenses.
Typical Timeline
Can be granted quickly. Status is reviewed periodically by the IRS as your situation changes.
Penalty Abatement
Reduce penalties
IRS penalties added to your debt can be removed or reduced if you meet eligibility criteria. Often granted for first-time compliance issues or reasonable cause. Reduces your total balance without affecting the underlying tax.
Best for you if
Your balance has grown significantly due to penalties and interest and you have a history of compliance.
Typical Timeline
Response from IRS typically within 30 to 60 days of submission. Can be requested by phone or letter.
Innocent Spouse Relief
Remove liability
If your spouse or former spouse created a tax liability without your knowledge or consent, you may be able to remove yourself from that debt entirely using the IRS Innocent Spouse Relief program.
Best for you if
You filed jointly with a spouse who understated income or claimed improper deductions without your knowledge.
Typical Timeline
6 months or more depending on complexity. An enrolled agent handles all IRS communication.
None of These Feel Like a Fit?
Let's figure it out together
Every tax situation is different. If none of the above programs feel like a clear fit, an enrolled agent will review your full case, identify every option the IRS offers, and tell you honestly what applies at no cost to you.
Best for you if
Anyone unsure of their options or whose situation feels too complicated to fit a single program.
Typical Timeline
Your free case review typically takes 30 minutes. No paperwork needed to get started.
OIC Outcomes
Filed. Accepted. Closed.
Real OIC cases our enrolled agents prepared and closed. The amounts varied. The process was the same every time.
How we handle your OIC
From eligibility check to IRS acceptance
OIC Eligibility Review
You call or fill out the form. Your enrolled agent reviews your income, expenses, and assets to determine whether an Offer in Compromise is a realistic option for your situation. No paperwork. No commitment.
Application Built and Filed
Your agent prepares your full OIC application, contacts the IRS on your behalf, halts any active collections, and submits everything correctly the first time.
IRS Decision and Final Resolution
We manage all IRS communication during the review period, respond to any requests, and keep you updated until your OIC is accepted and your case is fully closed.
Why tax hardship center
OIC applications prepared right the first time.
IRS EA
Enrolled Agents
Federally licensed to represent you directly before the IRS, not just advisors
A+
BBB Rated
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, verifiable, independent rating
50
States Licensed
Licensed to practice and represent clients in every state,federal and state tax issues
10,000+
Cases Resolved
Over a decade of resolving IRS and state tax cases across all 50 states
$0
Risk to You
We help you successfully resolve you case
2012
Established
Over a decade of experience, not a pop-up firm, a proven practice with a long track record
Ready to find out if you qualify for an Offer in Compromise?
Testimonials
Trusted help, With Clear Communication
When you are dealing with the IRS, you need clarity and follow through, not vague promises.
We focus on realistic options, straightforward communication, and a structured path from first call to resolution.
I review a lot of businesses. I am fair and want to provide information for people who genuinely are looking at a business to use for themselves. Regarding doing business with the Tax Hardship Center, it’s too good to be true but WOW. They helped me so much. I felt like I was out of a 10-year prison at the end. The feeling I had after they worked out all the issues I had with back tax penalties, etc., was just such a relief.
Special thanks to: Josh Bensimhon, Senior Tax Analyst, my first impression on the phone. After 2 months of searching, he was the first person that put me at ease. Jessy Zhu, Tax Preparer, for the speed and accuracy of getting the electronic form filled in and filed. Leslie Welch, Tax Preparation Associate, who clearly and precisely explained what my role was and the timeline I was on.
Gary M.
May 29th, 2024
G
Honestly I was really skeptical about getting involved with a company that deals with tax debts. After going down the tax debt resolution rabbit hole I saw so many horror stories other worrisome things, but I needed help.. badly. I got a notice of intent to levy and I knew if I did nothing my life would basically be over so I took a chance and prayed for the best.
I’m glad I did because it worked out better than I ever could have expected. Jeremy helped me understand my options and made the plan as well as the fees easy to understand and straight forward.
It ended up getting resolved better than I could have hoped for and I can finally sleep again.
I’m grateful to Jeremy, Kimberly, and the rest of my team. Thank you Tax Hardship Center
A F.
May 28, 2025
A
If you have unresolved tax issues, this is the company work with – I had a stellar experience and my tax issues were resolved in a much shorter time period than I had anticipated. Sarah, Alex and Clay were absolutely wonderful. All calls were returned promptly and they took the time to answer all questions I had. I very much appreciate their patience.
Katherine Hess was my case manager and she was absolutely wonderful to work with-she too answered all calls promptly and stayed in close contact every step of the way and her kindness, professionalism and patience were very much appreciated. I cannot recommend this company enough. If you have unresolved tax issues this is the company to work with-they go above and beyond for their clients!
Linda Little
Sep 20, 2025
L
I didn’t know if Tax Hardship could help me. I hadn’t filed tax returns in years and the IRS was sending me bills so I got scared and buried my head in the sand. I knew I had to do something about it when the letters started coming more frequently and seemed to be getting more aggressive. I decided to hire Tax Hardship and they were incredible.
My tax prepares got my returns filed quickly and the resolution team was a God send! They kept me updated throughout the process and answered all my questions. I’m now in “good standing” with the IRS
Alice P
June 06, 2026
A
20+ years of tax relief services.
Serving clients nationwide in all 50 states
Learn More
Resources That Help You Understand the OIC Process
If you are still learning, these topics can help you avoid common mistakes and understand your options.
Ignoring a missed IRS payment plan payment doesn’t make the notice disappear....
You owe the IRS money you don’t have sitting in your account,...
You set up a payment plan with the IRS, breathed easier, and...
Before You Go
Every Month You Wait, the Balance You Could Have Settled Goes Up
Penalties and interest add to your balance every single day. The amount you might have settled for six months ago is higher today. An OIC eligibility review is free. It takes 30 minutes. And it tells you exactly whether this path is worth pursuing.
No obligation – IRS enrolled agents – BBB A+ Rated
Frequently asked questions
Questions People Ask before they call us
Straight answers to what most people want to know before they decide whether to file.
How do I know if I qualify for an Offer in Compromise?
You may qualify if paying your full tax debt would create a genuine financial hardship or if the IRS is unlikely to collect the full amount from you over time.
The IRS looks at your income, necessary living expenses, assets, and overall ability to pay. They use this information to determine what they believe is realistically collectible. If that amount is less than your total tax debt, an Offer in Compromise may be an option.
Most people cannot accurately calculate this on their own because IRS guidelines are more detailed than they appear. A free eligibility review can help determine whether an OIC is realistic before you spend time or money applying.
Can the IRS still levy my wages or bank account while my OIC is under review?
Generally, no.
Once the IRS accepts your Offer in Compromise application for processing, collection activity is usually suspended during review. This means the IRS typically will not issue new wage garnishments or bank levies during that period.
Can the IRS really take my wages or bank account?
Yes and they do. The IRS has the legal authority to garnish your wages, levy your bank accounts, and place liens on your property without going to court. However, they are required to send multiple notices before taking action. If you have received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, enforcement is imminent. An enrolled agent can intervene and halt collections while your case is being reviewed.
How long does it take to resolve IRS tax debt?
It depends on the resolution path. A payment plan can be set up in 30 to 90 days. Currently Not Collectible status can be granted quickly in hardship situations. An Offer in Compromise typically takes 6 to 12 months from application to IRS decision. What matters most is acting early the sooner your case is filed, the sooner collections are halted and the clock starts on your resolution.
Will hiring a tax professional stop IRS collections?
In most cases, yes. When an enrolled agent files a Power of Attorney with the IRS on your behalf, the IRS is required to communicate directly with your representative and not with you. Active enforcement can often be halted while your case is under review. This is one of the most immediate benefits of getting professional representation the pressure stops while a resolution is being built.
What happens if I ignore IRS notices?
Ignoring IRS notices is one of the most costly mistakes a taxpayer can make. Penalties and interest compound daily, your balance grows, and the IRS escalates from notices to enforcement. What starts as a manageable debt can double or triple over time. More importantly, ignoring notices closes off resolution options that are only available at earlier stages. Every notice ignored narrows what can be done.
Can I get tax relief if I have unfiled tax returns?
Most IRS relief programs require that all tax returns are filed before a resolution can be approved. If you have unfiled returns, the first step is getting compliant filing the missing returns and establishing your true tax liability. We handle this as part of the process. Getting current on filings often reveals a different balance than expected and opens up relief options that were not previously available.
Is IRS tax relief legitimate or a scam?
IRS tax relief programs are real, federally established, and available to qualifying taxpayers. The scams exist in the companies that claim to guarantee outcomes, demand large upfront fees, or promise results before reviewing your case. Legitimate tax relief firms like Tax Hardship Center are staffed by IRS Enrolled Agents, are BBB accredited, and only charge fees upon successful resolution. Always verify credentials before engaging any firm.
What is the difference between an Offer in Compromise and a payment plan?
A payment plan or Installment Agreement means you pay your full tax debt over time in monthly installments. An Offer in Compromise is a formal application to resolve your debt for less than the full amount owed, based on your financial situation. An OIC takes longer to process and has stricter eligibility requirements, but may result in a lower total obligation. An enrolled agent can assess which option is more appropriate for your specific case.
Do I have to deal with the IRS myself?
No. You have the legal right to be represented before the IRS by an enrolled agent, CPA, or tax attorney. Once a Power of Attorney is filed, your representative handles all IRS communication you are no longer required to speak with them directly. Most clients never speak to the IRS again after engaging our team. This is one of the most significant benefits of professional representation the IRS deals with us, not you.