Resolution Success Stories

The Pros and Cons of Resolving IRS debt: Offer in Compromise vs. Uncollectible Status

If you meet the criteria for "financial hardship," you might just be a candidate for an Offer in Compromise or Currently Not Collectible to resolve your IRS tax issue. The biggest question, though, IS which one of these two resolutions is better for you and your tax situation?

Offer in Compromise (OIC)

PROS

Removes the tax lien against you.
The debt goes away - allowing you to earn more money in the future without having to pay the back taxes.

CONS

You will have to pay a $186 filing fee to process your Offer.
You will have to pay a certain amount to settle your debt (depending on what you qualify for) within about 11 to 24 months.
Your Offer might very well be REJECTED.
If you submit an Offer - you "freeze" the statute of limitations clock on your tax debt. In other words, if you fail to get your Offer accepted, you will lose the time
You will need to be perfectly tax compliant - filing and paying for FIVE YEARS - after your Offer is accepted.

Currently not collectible (CNC)

PROS

You pay zero.
You are taken out of collections. You do NOT need to fear being levied or garnished anymore.
Does NOT freeze the statute of limitations clock - debt can expire (eventually).

CONS

You still owe the IRS and a tax lien might be filed against you.
You might be taken out of uncollectible status if you don't file returns.
You could be taken out of uncollectible status if you show a dramatic increase in income.
The IRS re-reviews uncollectible status to see if you still meet the criteria.

You can find more articles on the Offer in Compromise on the blog HERE

Is 2025 the year to solve your tax issue? WATAX is ready to assist you now. Please call us at 1-888-282-4697 or email us a description of your tax issue and we'll contact you promptly.

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