1548 The Greens Way – Ste. 4 Jacksonville Beach FL 32250
When you owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a tax debt that you can’t afford, it can be incredibly frustrating and stressful. If you do nothing, the agency will take collection actions to recover what it is owed, like seizing property and funds or putting liens on your home. A Melbourne offer in compromise attorney can determine if an offer in compromise (OIC) is a useful tool to settle your debt. If granted, it can protect your financial well-being and standing with the IRS.
OICs are difficult to secure. While working with an attorney does not guarantee an OIC, they can assess your eligibility and potentially improve your chances of success. At TaxSmith, LLC, we have over a decade of experience helping taxpayers settle their IRS debt. We know how overwhelming it is to deal with IRS bills, notices, and collection actions. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin working to address your debt.
There are several options for debt settlement. An OIC is one of the most useful tools for taxpayers. Our firm can review your financial situation, clear up any questions or concerns you have, and determine if you are likely to qualify for an OIC. Our goal is to bring you honest and reliable legal information so you can make informed choices.
An OIC in Melbourne lets you resolve the entirety of your IRS tax debt for a lesser amount. Debt settlement methods, like OICs, are an option if you can’t afford to pay off your tax debt. If you can secure an OIC, you pay off the set amount in a lump sum or periodic payments. Once payments are complete, the rest of your debt is removed.
OICs are very rare. In Fiscal Year 2025, the IRS accepted 5,464 OICs and received 38,797. This is an acceptance rate of about 14.1%, which is much lower than the 2024 rate of 21.4%. There are many qualifications to meet, both to file the application and to be approved.
If you can secure an OIC, however, it is very useful. The 5,464 OICs totaled $98,146,000, or an average of $17,962.30 per offer. When you have substantial debt, an OIC can save you significant money.
Each person who gets an OIC pays an amount unique to their circumstances and financial abilities. When determining whether to accept an offer you make, the IRS will assess your specific situation, such as:
When assessing what you want to offer, you also need to consider other factors, like the nonrefundable filing fee and the fees of professionals.
Determining a reasonable amount in an OIC can be difficult. You have to offer enough that the IRS is likely to accept it, but not so much that you put yourself in financial hardship to pay the amount. It can be much easier to meet this balance when you work with an experienced tax attorney.
It can be unexpectedly easy to end up with tax debt you can’t afford. If you miss a tax payment or make errors, you can face civil penalties. If you fail to address the penalties, they and the principal debt can accrue interest over time. In 2025, the IRS assessed $1.15 trillion in civil penalties on employment taxes, along with $33.1 billion in penalties on individual, estate, and trust income taxes.
When you owe the IRS tax debt, the agency expects you to pay the amount you owe. However, negotiation is possible if:
An OIC cannot be your first attempt at negotiating and settling your debt. Offer in compromise laws and regulations require you to try other options, like an installment agreement, before requesting an OIC.
The IRS had an offer in compromise acceptance rate of 14% in Fiscal Year 2025. It is difficult to secure an OIC, as you must meet numerous qualifications to apply. Even then, it may not be approved by the agency. When you hire an offer in compromise attorney, they can determine if you qualify and assess a reasonable offer. The support of a skilled tax lawyer can improve your chances of a successful offer in compromise case.
Though it isn’t required, you need to hire an offer in compromise attorney in Melbourne to assess your options for debt settlement. Your OIC lawyer can determine what types of debt settlements you qualify for and whether an OIC is possible for you. They can see if you meet the OIC qualifications, help you create your application, and negotiate on your behalf. All of this can improve your chances of securing an OIC.
Yes, a tax attorney can negotiate with the IRS in Melbourne, so long as they have the license and qualifications to provide that representation. At TaxSmith, LLC, we can negotiate with the IRS on your behalf and represent you in discussions about your tax debt and OIC. There is a Taxpayer Assistance Center office in Melbourne, located at 1232 Sarno Road. We can negotiate to protect your interests in a meeting at this office.
The amount of an offer in compromise should depend entirely on your circumstances, as the IRS will accept what it thinks you can pay and what it can reasonably expect to collect. In Fiscal Year 2025, the IRS accepted many OICs, which averaged $17,962.30 per offer. However, each offer is based on the specific taxpayer’s debt and ability to pay, so an offer you make could be much higher or lower than this.
When you need experienced legal representation, reach out to TaxSmith, LLC.
IRS tax problems can place enormous pressure on your finances, business, and peace of mind. Whether you’re pursuing an Offer in Compromise, responding to IRS collection efforts, or trying to resolve years of unpaid tax debt, experienced legal guidance can make a significant difference. Tax Smith LLC helps individuals and businesses throughout Melbourne navigate complex federal tax matters while working toward practical, long-term solutions that protect their financial future.
Serving Melbourne and communities across Florida’s Space Coast, Tax Smith LLC focuses exclusively on IRS tax controversy and tax resolution matters. The firm represents clients in Offer in Compromise negotiations, IRS audits, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty investigations, Innocent Spouse Relief claims, penalty abatement requests, installment agreements, and other federal tax disputes. Every case receives personalized attention with strategies designed to reduce tax liabilities and resolve IRS issues as efficiently as possible.
From businesses along U.S. Highway 1 and Interstate 95 to taxpayers throughout Downtown Melbourne, Viera, Palm Bay, and surrounding Brevard County communities, Tax Smith LLC understands the challenges Florida taxpayers face when dealing with the IRS. Whether you need an experienced Melbourne Offer in Compromise attorney or assistance resolving another federal tax issue, working with knowledgeable tax counsel can make the difference between continued IRS enforcement and achieving lasting financial relief.
Please fill out the Contact Request Form and a Tax Attorney/Paralegal will call you
to discuss legal representation or to schedule your free initial consultation