Resolution Success Stories

A Short History of the Offer in Compromise Program -- IRS

How did the Offer in Compromise program at the IRS come into being?

According to legend, the Offer program started with the boxer: Joe Louis, who, like most boxers, won lots of prize money in spurts, and who became dramatically delinquent on his back taxes back in the '30's. In sympathy to Mr. Louis (one of the most popular figures of his day), the IRS decided to come up with a plan for him to settle his taxes.

The next stop on our time machine is the early 70's when the Offer in Compromise program was officially made a part of law. Later the bi-partisan Tax Reform of 1986 also gave the OIC program some final structure.

Culturally, it was television advertising in the late '90's, particularly American Tax Relief and JK Harris' ads (both now deceased, the latter shut down by the FTC), that has made the Offer program a part of the American consciousness. Commercials commonly had actors on construction sites, taking their hard hats off to shrug off their huge tax debt, while the dollar signs flashed across the screen. Promises were made, such as "You can reduce your debt by 95%, 90% of what you owe!"

In the last decade, the Offer program had significantly changes: mandating that 20% of Offers be paid up front. Furthermore, a $186 filing fee was put in place - to pay for staff and to discourage the frivolous filing of Offers.

Lastly in May of 2012 - the IRS rules for Offer in Compromise changed more dramatically than they have in their history: Offer in Compromise Rule Changes - 2012 - Huge !

From our perspective of the 500 clients we help every year, about 175 cases are for Offer in Compromise so they represent about 35% of the cases we do.

Is 2024 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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