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An offer in compromise is an incredibly useful tool for resolving your debt with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for less than you owe. While these can be very helpful, they are not easy to get. A Venice offer in compromise attorney can assess if you qualify for an offer in compromise (OIC) and whether you are likely to be approved. They can help you create a reasonable offer and negotiate with the IRS.

When you get legal guidance for your tax issue, you need to work with effective and exceptional attorneys. At TaxSmith, LLC, our team has helped taxpayers navigate complex tax debt issues for over a decade. We know how frustrating it can be to have debt you can’t repay, especially when the IRS begins taking collection actions. An OIC is a fantastic way to get a fresh start if you qualify and can establish the first steps to getting back in good standing with the IRS.
Our attorneys understand that tax issues can be complex, and we want to help make them as transparent and simple as possible. Let us help you assess your debt settlement options.
In 2024, the IRS assessed millions of civil penalties totaling over $84 billion. Penalties accrue interest, and some are assessed multiple times. This means that a tax debt can grow significantly over time, even for minor errors like information discrepancies.
When you owe the IRS or the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR), you usually have to pay that debt in full. However, if you can’t financially do this, there may be other options.
An OIC is one of those options, but it cannot be your first option. You first have to review other debt settlement methods, like an installment agreement or Currently Not Collectible status. You can negotiate with the IRS at its Taxpayer Assistance Center in Sarasota. An attorney can represent you in these negotiations.
The IRS might accept an OIC if one of the following can be proven:
There are other qualifications for applying for an OIC, such as filing all required taxes and not being in an active bankruptcy proceeding.
If you can secure an OIC, you can resolve your entire tax liability for less. You can either pay it in a lump sum or in periodic amounts. Once the payment is completed, the remaining debt is cleared.

To file an offer in compromise, there is a nonrefundable application fee of $205, as well as the first part of your payment. This payment is either 20% of a lump-sum offer or the first monthly payment in a periodic payment. If the IRS does not accept the OIC, then this payment will be applied to your debt. If the IRS accepts, this is the first of several payments under your OIC.
In 2024, the success rate of an offer in compromise sent to the IRS was 21%. The agency accepted 7,199 OICs out of 33,591 offers made. These 7,199 accepted offers totaled $163 million, averaging almost $22,700 per OIC. OICs are hard to get, as there are numerous qualifications required just to apply. The IRS expects taxpayers to try other forms of tax debt settlement before resorting to other options.
One downside of an offer in compromise is that they are very hard to get from the IRS, and if you do get an OIC, you need to pay the amount stated. If you offered too much in an OIC, you may still find yourself in a difficult financial situation. This is why it’s helpful to hire an offer-in-compromise attorney to help you make an offer that is reasonable for you and acceptable to the IRS.
Every taxpayer’s situation is unique, and an OIC should be tailored to what you can reasonably pay. This is what the IRS is likely to accept based on factors such as your income, asset equity, expenses, and ability to pay. Determining a reasonable amount that won’t put you in financial hardship while paying the OIC can be difficult. With an experienced tax attorney, it is much easier to assess your financial situation.
For dedicated legal support to resolve your tax debt and protect your financial future, contact TaxSmith, LLC today.
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