Owing money to the IRS is never a desirable position to find yourself in. Unfortunately, unpaid tax debts can also lead to an unexpected (and unwanted) visit from an IRS revenue officer. The officer may make an appearance at either your home or business, typically without warning. How you respond to this visit is crucial to the eventual outcome of your IRS tax problem. In order to even the playing field, it is important to seek assistance from an experienced attorney familiar with these matters.

What an IRS Revenue Officer Won't Share When Visiting Your Home or Business

When the IRS revenue officer appears at your home or business, he or she will say many things. Unfortunately, what they do not say is what is most important to you as a taxpayer. The following are examples of important pieces of information the IRS revenue officer will not reveal during your visit:

1. You do not have to let the IRS revenue officer into your home or business. Many agents presume that you will be intimidated by their presence and that they can enter without permission. This is not the case. Taxpayers have every right to refuse the revenue officer entry.
2. You do not have to sign the documents the officer brings. In many cases, the revenue officer will bring documents for you to sign regarding the debt. The officer will likely make it seem as though you have no choice but to sign this paperwork. Unfortunately, many taxpayers do not realize that they do not in fact have to sign anything without first consulting an attorney. As a result, you may end up paying more than you otherwise need to.
3. You do not have to accept the terms the officer presents. Some revenue officers take the approach of trying to win your trust by telling you up front that you do have alternative options when it comes to your unpaid tax debt. Agreeing to their proposal, however, will often not work out in your favor. The IRS revenue officer is not going to present you with the options that are necessarily in your best interest. He or she will also not make the best offer during the first round of negotiations. If you agree to what is presented during the initial meeting, you will likely end up taking a settlement offer that is more costly than you could have otherwise received.

Dealing with the IRS over an unpaid tax debt requires a great deal of knowledge about IRS issues. To get started learning more, we encourage you to check out our free guide, The Ultimate Survival Guide for IRS Problems.