When Appeals are a Possibility

Issues with the Internal Revenue Service could be an inconvenience.

• Results of tax audits
• Assessed penalties
• Accrued interest
• Placement of tax lien
• Placement of tax levy
• Seizures of Assets
• Offer in Compromise rejections

An IRS letter will let you know that you may opt to appeal the ruling if any of the aforementioned actions involves you. If you do not agree with the IRS decision and you have reason to appeal, do not affix your signature on the agreement form you received. A hearing for your appeal can then be requested.

Do not consider an appeals hearing if you owe the Internal Revenue Service money but just can't foot the bill. If the letter you got from the IRS is an actual bill, there might not be any mention of the possibility of appeals.

You have to have justifiable cause for disagreeing with the decision passed by the Internal Revenue Service. State your reasons with supporting documents.

Read the letter to know how to make your request for an appeal, where to send the request, the deadline for receipt of the request, and what details should be included with the request.

It should be noted that a request for appeal doesn't stop the interest and penalties from accruing on your bill.

Hearings on appeals can be undertaken in an informal way, by correspondence, telephone, or in person. Appeals often settle IRS disagreements.

The appeal's timeframe is based on the type of case you are appealing and the time it takes for the IRS to review the file. Typically, an appeals hearing commences within 90 days after you have made your request. Make contact with the IRS office where your appeal was mailed to if you have not heard from them in ninety days and they should be able to tell you when it was received. That will determine the start of the 90-day waiting period for your hearing.

The appeals officer can give you a more specific timeframe. Be warned, as it could take up to a year to resolve an appeal.

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