Serving Clients throughout the United States

Penalty Abatements

Tax resolution strategy to reduce or remove IRS penalties based on compliance history or reasonable cause.

Fiore Tax Resoution

If you’ve received an IRS penalty for failure to file, pay, or deposit taxes—but you’ve maintained a clean compliance record over the prior three years, the agency offers a First‑Time Penalty Abatement (FTA) program. It allows eligible taxpayers to request forgiveness of one penalty type per tax year if they’ve filed all required returns (or valid extensions) and have paid—or at least arranged payment of—the tax due. FTA can be requested by phone or in writing , and if granted, associated penalty interest is also removed—but interest itself cannot be abated except under narrow circumstances. Requests can be filed before or after paying the penalty; many experts advise paying first, then submitting an FTA request so that any remaining penalties are cleansed, and paid amounts may even be refunded. If you’re unsure about eligibility or get denied, you can appeal or pursue a “reasonable cause” waiver instead.

 

State Voluntary Disclosure Programs offer taxpayers the chance to come forward and resolve past tax liabilities—such as unpaid income, sales, or use taxes—without facing severe penalties or criminal charges. These programs are typically available to businesses or individuals who have not registered or filed in a state where they have a tax obligation. In exchange for voluntarily disclosing and paying back taxes (often for a limited lookback period), states may waive penalties and, in some cases, interest. To qualify, disclosure must be initiated before the state contacts the taxpayer. Each state has its own rules, so it’s important to review specific program guidelines.

Schedule a Free Consultation

A short call with one of our tax resolution specialists could change everything. Let’s talk about your options and how we can help you resolve your tax situation—for good.

Get Started

FAQs

Have questions about tax resolution? You’re not alone. Here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions. There are many more, so be sure to visit our FAQs page to see them all. 

View More FAQs

The process to qualify for a tax debt settlement is dependent on your personal financial situation. To find out if you qualify, schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our tax consultants, and be prepared to answer questions regarding your monthly income and expenses, additional assets to your name, and your total tax liability.

The Fresh Start program, also known as the Offer in Compromise, allows a taxpayer to settle their tax debt for a portion of the full amount owed when proven that the taxpayer is experiencing a financial hardship. If accepted, the Offer eliminates all outstanding balances with the IRS and releases any potential liens placed against the taxpayer.

While both are collection tools used by the IRS, a tax lien and a tax levy are not interchangeable terms. A lien is a claim to a taxpayer’s property due to a tax debt, while a levy is the actual action of seizing a taxpayer’s property.

Without protection in place, the IRS is legally allowed to seize your property or wages due to an unpaid tax liability.

Latest Insights & Expert Guidance

View all Articles