Tax Settlement
IRS Tax Settlement - Negotiate and Resolve Your Tax Debt
Every Settlement Option Evaluated For You
We find the path that actually reduces what you owe
THOROUGH
You Never Negotiate With the IRS Alone
We handle every call, letter, and filing on your behalf
HANDS-OFF
Collections Halt the Moment We Step In
Enforcement stops while your settlement case is active
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 state tax debt is ignored
The IRS Doesn't Negotiate on Its Own. It Collects.
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.
A Balance Due Notice Lands
CP14 or CP2000 arrives. Your settlement window is widest right here. Most people ignore it.
act now
Penalties and Interest Stack Up
Your balance grows every single day. The amount the IRS says you owe is rarely the number you have to accept.
escalating
Final Notice of Intent to Levy
Last chance before enforcement. At this point, the IRS can legally move on your wages and accounts.
critical
Levy or Garnishment Begins
Your employer gets notified. Your bank gets hit. At this stage, a settlement is still possible but harder to reach.
urgent
You Call Us, We Take It From Here
Your enrolled agent contacts the IRS, halts collections, and begins your settlement case immediately.
Protected
Tax relief is possible
Speak to a tax resolution expert today.
What IRS Tax Settlement Actually Means
What Most People Believe About What They Owe Is Usually Wrong
The IRS has formal programs for reducing, restructuring, and resolving tax debt. Most taxpayers just never find out they qualify.
Common Myth
"The number the IRS says I owe is final."
"If I'm already in collections, it's too late to settle."
"Tax settlement is only for people with lawyers and court dates."
"I already tried to deal with the IRS and it didn't work."
The Reality
That number is a starting point, not a verdict. The IRS has formal settlement programs that can reduce what you actually pay.
A settlement can be initiated at almost any stage, even after a levy or garnishment has started.
The vast majority of settlements are negotiated directly with the IRS. No courtroom. No judge. No drama.
Most people who try on their own don't know which program to file or how to document it. That's where we come in.
Ready to find out what applies to your case?
Free consultation • No obligation • confidential
Do you qualify for a tax settlement?
Find Out in Two Minutes
Two quick questions. Then we show you which settlement paths apply to 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.
Not sure if this applies? Speak to an agent
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.
Not sure if this applies? Speak to an agent
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.
Not sure if this applies? Speak to an agent
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.
Not sure if this applies? Speak to an agent
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.
Not sure if this applies? Speak to an agent
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.
Real Outcomes
Real settlements.
Real numbers.
These are actual cases our enrolled agents resolved. Results vary, but the process is the same every time.
Our process
Three steps from
first call to full resolution
Your Case Gets Reviewed
You call or submit your details. An enrolled agent looks at your full situation, what you owe, what programs apply, and what your realistic options are. No paperwork. No commitment.
We Handle the IRS
Your agent contacts the IRS directly, halts any active collections, and starts building your settlement case using every program available to your situation.
Settlement Reached
We negotiate with the IRS, update you at every stage, and don't stop until your case is fully resolved.
Why tax hardship center
Not just another firm telling you to call the IRS yourself
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 Innocent Spouse Relief?
Testimonials
Real People. Settled Cases. No Surprises.
When you’re dealing with a tax debt you can’t pay, the last thing you need is vague reassurances. We tell you exactly what applies to your case, what the process looks like, and what to expect from the IRS.
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
Insights
Resources To Understand IRS Tax Settlement
Still figuring things out? These guides cover the most common questions people have before they call us.
You set up a payment plan with the IRS, breathed easier, and...
The letter came on a Tuesday. Nothing about Tuesdays usually feels dangerous....
You open the mailbox. There it is. An envelope with that unmistakable...
One more thing
Every Day You Wait, the Number Gets Bigger
Penalties and interest compound every single day. The IRS does not pause. And the longer a settlement goes unfiled, the harder it becomes to negotiate. A free case review costs you nothing. It might save you more than you think.
No obligation • IRS enrolled agents • BBB A+ Rated
Frequently asked questions
Questions People Ask before they call us
Honest answers to the mos common IRS tax relied questions.
What is IRS tax settlement and how does it work?
IRS tax settlement is a broad term for programs that help taxpayers resolve tax debt in a way that is financially manageable. Depending on your situation, that could mean settling for less than you owe, making monthly payments, or temporarily pausing collections. The right option depends on your income, assets, and ability to pay.
How do I know if I qualify for a tax settlement?
It depends on your financial situation and the relief programs available to you. The IRS looks at factors such as income, expenses, assets, and the amount of tax debt you owe. A review of your case can help determine which options may be available.
Can the IRS really take my wages or bank account?
Yes. If a tax debt remains unresolved, the IRS can use collection tools such as wage garnishments and bank levies. These actions typically happen after multiple notices have been sent and no resolution has been reached.
How long does the IRS tax settlement process usually take?
The timeline varies based on the program. Some payment arrangements can be approved within weeks, while settlement programs may take several months. The complexity of the case and IRS processing times both play a role.
Will working with Tax Hardship Center stop IRS collections while my case is in process?
Taking action is what helps stop collections, not simply opening a case. Certain IRS programs provide collection protection while they are being reviewed, and other situations may allow collection holds. The sooner you begin the process, the more options you may have available.
What happens if I keep ignoring IRS notices while waiting to settle?
Ignoring IRS notices can make the situation more difficult and expensive over time. Penalties and interest continue to grow, and the IRS may eventually move to liens, levies, or wage garnishments. Acting early generally provides the greatest flexibility.
Can I pursue a tax settlement if I have unfiled returns?
Usually not. The IRS generally requires taxpayers to be current with their filing obligations before considering most relief programs. If returns are missing, those typically need to be filed before moving forward with a settlement strategy.
Is IRS tax settlement legitimate or is it too good to be true?
The relief programs themselves are legitimate and have been part of the tax system for years. However, not every taxpayer qualifies for every option. The key is understanding which programs genuinely apply to your situation rather than relying on broad promises.
What is the difference between a tax settlement and just setting up a payment plan?
A payment plan allows you to pay the full balance over time through monthly payments. A settlement program may allow eligible taxpayers to resolve their debt for less than the total amount owed. The best choice depends on your financial circumstances and long-term ability to pay.
Do I have to deal with the IRS directly at any point during this process?
Not necessarily. If you authorize a qualified representative, they can communicate with the IRS on your behalf, handle paperwork, and manage negotiations throughout the process. This can make resolving tax debt significantly less stressful.