A retired couple decides to liquidate some of their stock investments because they are no longer able to handle the ups and downs of the market. This action puts them into a strong and safe cash position but also produces a large tax bill. Paying that bill significantly reduces the savings they have built and depend upon for their retirement years.
They decide to make an Offer-in-Compromise with the IRS instead. The offer is rejected by the IRS because the analysis of their financial position shows that they could full-pay the debt. Is it a lost cause for this couple?
Not necessarily. The IRS can accept the Offer under Special Circumstances where the collection of the debt in full would create an “Economic Hardship”. This would be the case for the retired couple depending upon their savings for the rest of their lives.
The big factor for taxpayers hoping to have an Offer with Special Circumstances accepted is a history of compliance. Investing in dubious tax shelter schemes, repeated non-filing penalties, or failure to pay on a regular basis are all factors that will work against the offer. Most of these offers are in fact initially rejected by the IRS, so you can expect that a trip to Appeals is going to be part of the process.
I will discuss the meaning of “Economic Hardship” in more detail in my next post.
