What To Expect from JK Harris

Most clients want to know what, when, and how things will happen with their case. Learn more about the step-by-step process.

Step-By-Step Strategy to work with IRS

We'll personalize a step-by-step strategy to work with the IRS on your case. The following timeline will give you a good idea of how our process works. Every case is unique and will receive personalized attention.

1. Meet with our consultant

   Meet with one of our consultants face to face to begin the resolution process. You will be instructed on what you need to bring with you to the first meeting. From this initial meeting, the consultant will collect information from you, which will be analyzed by our Licensed Taxpayer Representatives to determine what might be the best way to resolve your tax problem.

2. Receive a detailed analysis of your tax issue

   Our Licensed Taxpayer Representatives will prepare a Professional Staff Report, detailing their recommendations on resolving your tax problem. This report will be sent back to your consultant who will schedule a second meeting with you to review your resolution options. From there, you may decide to hire JK Harris to begin working on resolving your tax issue, or you make take the report and attempt to resolve the problem on your own. If you are not in compliance, meaning you have not filed all of your past tax returns, you will be given the option to have those prepared at this point.

3. Stop attempted collections

   If you have contracted for a Stay of Collections due to a levy or garnishment, we will attempt to stop any enforced collection action against you – such as a lien or a levy – by filing for a Stay of Collections.

4. Power of attorney is filed

   We begin the process of lifting your IRS burden promptly. JK Harris will file your Power of attorney with the IRS. This document gives us the power to represent you and legally requires the IRS to negotiate with us instead of you. Please know this - you will continue to be contacted by the IRS during this time; Revenue Agents may even tell you we have not contacted the IRS. This is usually not the case. JK Harris is not identified as your representative on the Power of attorney; the name of your individual Licensed Taxpayer Representative is identified on the form. If the IRS contacts you, let them know you have signed a contract authorizing JK Harris to represent you.

5. Submit your financial documents

   When your Professional Staff Report is completed, you are provided a documentation checklist. Using this checklist, you will need to go through your records and provide us with all the documents the IRS will require to negotiate a resolution on your behalf. You have the option of submitting these to your consultant, or mailing them to our corporate headquarters. It cannot be emphasized enough how critical this step of the process is because negotiating and settling your case cannot occur until this step is completed.

6. The resolution process begins

   Your case specialist will begin work on your case when your financial information is scanned into our database and routed to them. Depending on the resolution process you choose, the amount of time it takes to resolve your case will vary.

7. We review your Offer in Compromise (OIC) or other tax resolution with you

   We will set a time and date for you to review your OIC or tax resolution offer with your consultant. We will provide you at that time, with a list of any other financial documents the IRS will require of you.

8. We submit your OIC/resolution offer to the IRS

   We finalize your offer. Once everything is assembled, we will review your documentation and the offer for you. You sign your OIC or other tax resolution offer, verifying it represents the true facts of your case. We will then help you send everything to the IRS.

9. Resolution and peace of mind

   We finalize your case. You must be prepared to wait. An Offer in Compromise is a lifesaver of a program for many taxpayers, but it does not come easily. It can take anywhere from 6 to 24 months to finalize your case. Other methods of resolution can be finalized much quicker than an OIC. Be prepared to provide your most up to date versions of your financial information over and over again. This is because the IRS requires information 90 days old or older be updated with current information. Stay strong and remain patient.

10. Appeal, if necessary

    We will negotiate your offer up until the final submission. We work for you in the original submission of your offer, but the IRS makes the ultimate decision on which offers they accept. If the IRS officially denies your tax resolution offer – which can and does happen. – We can recontract you for the appeals process.