Dealing with IRS Tax Debt - Courses - OvernightAccountant.com

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by tax debt, unsure where to turn, and worried that every solution seems to leave you deeper in trouble? Or maybe you thought your tax troubles were finally behind you, only to have the IRS come knocking again — leaving you feeling trapped and drowning in debt.

You don’t have to face this alone. Our course, Dealing with IRS Tax Debt, gives you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take control of your tax situation — without spending thousands on representation firms.

How Jim Escaped His IRS Nightmare Without Breaking the Bank
(From Brett Hersh, our instructor for Dealing with Tax Debt)

When Jim first came to us, he was overwhelmed and scared. He owed roughly $8,000 in back taxes, penalties, and interest. The IRS was garnishing his wages, leaving him barely enough to cover his bills. Desperate for a solution, he put $2,300 on a credit card to hire a tax relief firm.

At first, it seemed like the problem was solved—the firm stopped the garnishment by negotiating a payment plan. But relief was short-lived. Jim still couldn’t keep up with his bills while making payments to the IRS. His debt was growing, and soon, he owed for another tax year.

When the IRS declared his payment plan in default, his debt ballooned to over $12,000. Jim couldn’t afford another expensive fix, and the fear of another garnishment—or even jail—was crushing him.

When Jim shared his story with me, I could feel his desperation. “You paid $2,300… just to stop a garnishment, and now you owe more?” I asked him.

He nodded, ashamed.

“First things first—you’re not going to jail,” I reassured him. “The IRS doesn’t want to lock you up; they want a resolution.”

After asking Jim a few key questions, I gave him a clear plan of action. I told him to call the IRS directly, using the number on his last notice, and walked him through exactly what to say.

The result? Jim was placed in Currently Not Collectible status, a designation that paused all collection efforts due to his financial hardship. This gave him the breathing room he desperately needed. When he was ready, he could arrange an affordable payment plan—one that wouldn’t force him into further debt.

The best part? Jim didn’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get this outcome. He resolved his tax issue quickly, efficiently, and for a fraction of what he paid the other firm.

Jim’s story proves that when you have the right guidance, even the most overwhelming IRS problems can be handled effectively—and affordably.

The success of our policy is why we created this course.

Struggling with Back Taxes? We’ve Got the Solution.

If you owe the IRS back taxes, Dealing with IRS Tax Debt is the course you need. This step-by-step guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge to handle your unpaid federal income taxes confidently and effectively.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

How and when income taxes are assessed
How long the IRS has to collect back taxes
How to reduce penalties and interest through abatement
When and why the IRS stops collection activity—and whether you qualify
Your payment options, including the truth about the Fresh Start Initiative

Why Choose This Course?

This isn’t just information—it’s a roadmap to freedom from IRS debt.

Save thousands in fees: Handle your tax debt yourself without hiring a costly representation firm.
Maximize your representation dollars: If you decide to hire a firm, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to advocate for yourself.

This course is a MUST-HAVE for anyone considering professional help or looking to resolve their tax debt independently. Don’t wait until the IRS takes the next step—take control of your tax situation today!

Enroll now and start your journey to financial peace of mind!

Are You Looking to Help Clients with Back Taxes?

Dealing With IRS Debt is also for you. If you or your employees are new to IRS representation, they will learn everything they need to know to start helping taxpayers with IRS tax debt. Our course includes tons of resources and study materials. It also comes with a free exam and answers guide. Even a certificate for those who complete the course!

Due to the nature of this course and federal regulations around representation, our instructors are not able to answer questions regarding this course.

Lesson Listing

Here is a list of the lessons in this course and a brief description of what you'll learn in each lesson.

Introduction & Overview
Learn about your instructor, whether this course is for you, and the topics covered by the class.
Tax Assessment, Penalties, & Interest
When and how taxes get assessed, the most common penalties assessed on unpaid taxes, and how interest accumulates on balance owed.
Collection Statute of Limitations
Learn how long the IRS has to collect your tax debt, how the collection period gets extended, and the statute’s importance in tax-payment strategies.
Working with IRS - Tools and Tips
This lesson covers transcripts you may need to deal with your tax debt. It also includes some tips to help you negotiate with the IRS, IRS employees you may encounter, and the authority of third-party tax collectors.
How IRS Applies Payments & Getting Penalties Abated
Learn the order in which the IRS applies tax payments to taxes due and how to override that order. You will also learn about penalty abatement and four ways to have them abated.
Allowed Living Expenses - Part One
The IRS uses allowable living expenses to determine your ability to pay your tax debt. These living expenses are essential, especially for those who do not have liquid assets (such as cash, savings, or stocks) to pay their debt outright. This lesson introduces Allowable Living Expense and covers the national standards for food, clothing, personal items, and out-of-pocket medical costs.
Allowed Living Expenses - Part Two
This lesson continues our discussion of Allowable Living Expenses and covers housing, utilities, vehicles and transportation, and other monthly bills the IRS will often allow before calculating the payment you can make on your tax debt.
Allowed Living Expenses - Two Examples
Many taxpayers enter into payment agreements they are not financially able to pay according to IRS standards. This lesson shares two examples; one single individual and a family of four, and how much income they must earn before the IRS requires payment.
Payment Options, Tips & Forms You May Need
We review the various ways to pay your tax due. We also introduce the various payment agreements available to taxpayers, including the Fresh Start Initiative representation firms sell in their ads. Lesson nine also discusses some of the forms you may need to complete when settling your tax debt.
Current Not Collectible Status & Partial Payment Installment Agreement
Currently Not Collectible Status is an essential representation tool. It’s available to those whose income is not above their Allowable Living Expenses. The Partial Payment Installment Agreement is a payment plan in which taxpayers pay what they can but not enough to pay the debt in full before expiration of the collection statute.
Fresh Start Program Intro & Guaranteed Installment Agreement
The 2011 Fresh Start Initiative did a lot to help taxpayers more easily deal with their tax debts. This lesson will provide an overview and discuss how to apply for the Guaranteed Installment Agreement, available to those who owe $10,000 or less in back taxes.
Fresh Start - Streamlined Installment Agreements
There are two forms of the Streamlined Installment Agreement. One agreement is available for those who owe $25,000 or less in taxes, penalties, and interest. The other is for those owing between $25,000 and $50,000. In this lesson, we’ll tell you how to apply for both!

All courses and articles are for informational purposes only and do not constitute tax advice. Taxes are complicated - do not act on course information without consulting a professional. Always refer to treasury regulation before making any tax decision. Read the full disclaimer.

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