Hit with an IRS penalty? You may be able to ask for relief.
IRS Penalty Relief Requests in Clearwater
Penalties can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a tax bill, and many people who qualify for relief never ask. Iris reviews your penalties and helps you request first-time abatement or reasonable cause relief when you qualify. Call 678-614-4636.
Hablamos español. Monday to Saturday, 8 to 6.
Types of penalty relief
- First-time abatement. If you had no significant penalties in the prior three years, filed all required returns and paid or arranged to pay, the IRS often removes a filing or payment penalty for one year.
- Reasonable cause. If something outside your control kept you from filing or paying, such as a serious illness, a death in the family, a fire or a disaster, the IRS may remove penalties when you show what happened.
- Disaster postponement. When Pinellas County was covered by a federal disaster postponement, penalties charged during that period may be removed.
- Statutory exception. If the IRS gave you incorrect written advice, related penalties can be removed.
A typical example
An illustrative example, not a client testimonial. A Clearwater woman filed and paid late the year her mother was in hospice. She was charged failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties of about $1,100.
Iris reviews her history and sees no penalties in the prior three years, which makes her a candidate for first-time abatement. If it's not granted, the dates of her mother's illness support a reasonable cause request. Iris prepares the request with her, and the penalties and related interest are removed.
Ask on time, and in writing
Many first-time abatement requests can be handled by phone, but reasonable cause requests usually need a written explanation with records, such as hospital dates or a death certificate. Interest on the penalty is removed along with it. Iris drafts a clear request with you and keeps copies. More help is on our IRS notice help in Clearwater page.
What Tax Link can and can't do
Iris helps you understand the notice and prepare a response that you sign and submit. Tax Link is not a law firm or CPA firm and does not represent clients in IRS collections, appeals or audits beyond what IRS rules allow for tax return preparers. For complex cases, Iris refers you to an enrolled agent, CPA or tax attorney.
How it works
- Call 678-614-4636 and read Iris the notice number and response date from the letter.
- She meets you at home, reads the full letter with you and compares it to your return and records.
- Together you prepare the response or request, which you sign and send by the date on the letter. Iris keeps a copy for follow-up.
What it costs
Penalty relief requests are [penalty relief price]. Iris tells you before you pay whether you appear to qualify.
Iris's promises to you
Inviting someone into your home or business takes trust. Here is what Iris promises every client:
- You know the price before she starts. No surprise fees at the end.
- Your documents never leave your sight. She scans what she needs at your table, works on an encrypted laptop and hands your originals back before she leaves.
- Every line is explained in your language. Plain English or Spanish, so you know exactly what you signed.
- No waiting room, ever. She comes to your home or business at the time you choose, Monday to Saturday from 8 to 6.
- If the IRS writes later, she reads it with you. The same woman-owned business that did the work answers the follow-up.
Mobile service across Pinellas County
Iris is based in Clearwater, from Countryside and Island Estates to downtown and Clearwater Beach, and drives to clients across Pinellas County:
- Clearwater
- Largo
- St. Petersburg
- Pinellas Park
- Seminole
- Dunedin
- Palm Harbor
- Tarpon Springs
- Safety Harbor
- Oldsmar
- Gulfport
- Belleair
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Madeira Beach
- Treasure Island
- St. Pete Beach
She also serves nearby parts of Pasco and Hillsborough counties when her schedule allows. Appointments can be at your home, your business, or a hospital or care community. Family out of state can book a visit for a parent and join by phone.
Questions people ask before they call
Can interest be removed too?
Interest on the tax itself generally can't be removed, but interest on a penalty is reduced when the penalty is removed.
I had a hurricane loss. Does that help?
It may, especially if Pinellas County was covered by an IRS disaster postponement for that period.
How long does relief take?
Some first-time abatements are granted on the phone. Written reasonable cause requests can take several weeks or months.
Do I have to pay the tax first?
You don't have to pay in full first, but you must be in compliance, which means returns filed and the tax paid or in a payment plan.
What form is used?
Some requests are made by phone or letter, others on Form 843. Iris uses whichever the situation calls for.