History

As a sole practitioner CPA in 1997, John Harris felt strongly that the best way to grow his business was to find a niche that wasn't being served.

He found that niche by chance when a local retailer asked him to solve a problem: He hadn't paid his taxes for several years. Harris trimmed the $90,000 liability to $42,000, set up an installment plan with the Internal Revenue Service to pay off the balance, and received a $3,000 fee.

In resolving this tax problem, one shared by millions of Americans, Harris, now 53, sowed the seeds for a successful new business. Today, ten years later, that seed has grown into a company that is approaching $100 million in revenue and serves a broad range of taxpayers suffering tax liability and debt management problems.

JK Harris & Company LLC, based in North Charleston, S.C., is comprised of a family of four companies employing 500. It is the nation's largest tax resolution company. JK Harris consultants are available to meet with consumers in over 425 locations in 45 states. This dynamic organization attracts more than 400 new clients a week.

Based on his success with the Charleston retailer and others with similar tax resolution problems that soon followed, Harris began structuring a new company to serve this neglected market. He recruited ex-IRS agents, Enrolled Agents and other tax professionals,more established a national sales force, launched an advertising program throughout the United States, and began helping taxpayers resolve their debts with the IRS.

Harris' goal was to give middle- and lower-income taxpayers affordably priced professional IRS representation that is usually available only to the wealthy. Typically, most clients who sought help from his new company were - and continue to be - in a crisis mode because of their debts. Many haven't paid federal or state income taxes for several years and suffer wage garnishments, liens, and bank account levies, among other woes.

Serving as intermediaries between taxpayers and the IRS, JK Harris' team of professionals attempts to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) with the IRS. When an agreement is established, the OIC enables the client to reduce this debt, repaying it through an installment plan or lump sum payment.

As the company continued to grow, Harris came to a logical conclusion: People with tax debt were also likely to have other unresolved financial matters that needed attention. Basically, their lives were already in distress because of their mounting debt management problems. Their IRS dilemmas were just one symptom of much larger debt issues.

There were individuals who had fallen behind in paying credit card and student loan debts and didn't know how to deal with it; clients who were victims of investment fraud, Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent investment practices and didn't know they could obtain tax relief for their losses; individuals and business owners seeking to reduce their taxable income by following a professionally structured financial plan; individuals seeking help in preparing their tax returns; and taxpayers requiring professional support for an IRS audit.

Recognizing the potential for providing additional debt management and tax resolution services to these individuals, Harris expanded his company's offerings by providing additional services.

In a country where consumer debt is a surging $2 trillion and where the IRS is increasing the number of levies on delinquent taxpayers, there is clearly a need for the services of the JK Harris family of companies, as summarized below:

JK Harris & Company/Tax Resolution

JK Harris & Company is comprised of veteran ex-IRS agents and tax professionals who are experienced in the fields of taxation and its laws. The company secures Limited Power of Attorney designation, becoming the client's ally, legal representative, and negotiator to resolve the tax liability with the IRS.

Tax professionals ease any immediate tax crisis, get clients into compliance and begin the process of settling the debt in the most favorable way possible. This is usually done through an Offer in Compromise when it is unlikely that the tax liability can be collected in full.

The offer amount is based upon the client's financial position and their ability to repay the debt. Once accepted, the IRS will work out a payment arrangement, usually installment or lump sum payments.

JK Harris Advisors, LLC

JK Harris Advisors works with individuals who can benefit from a comprehensive financial plan that can help them deal with tax liabilities and long-term financial goals.

Most clients seek a plan initially because they do not qualify for an Offer in Compromise and need advice on the best way to repay the tax debt. Others may have mismanaged their finances, perhaps because of large inheritances, lottery winnings or poor business decisions, and need expert financial guidance to reduce their taxes, repay liabilities and plan for the future.

Based on the client's financial goals and personal and financial data they provide, JK Harris tax professionals, financial planners and investment advisors map out a detailed written program with specific recommendations on how the client can reach their goals.

The plan may include analyses of assets; liabilities and net worth; investment planning; cash flow and budget analysis; plans for income tax, education, retirement and insurance; and plans and valuations for owners of small businesses. Clients also receive five hours of professional financial counseling for one year.

JK Harris Small Business Services, LLC

JK Harris Small Business Services, LLC, works with businesses which can benefit from having functions of their operations - accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation - handled by professionals who have years of experience and a track record of success behind them. By turning over these duties to JK Harris Small Business Services, companies can concentrate on running their businesses and making them as profitable as possible.

JK Harris Small Business Services is in the JK Harris & Company family of companies that comprise the nation's largest organization specializing in tax resolution. JK Harris & Company also provides services for credit card debt management, student loan debt, investment fraud, financial planning, and IRS audit representation.