The IRS has issued warnings about the widespread misunderstanding of its 'Fresh Start' program, a tax relief initiative that has been around for over a decade.
The program was designed to ease tax burdens on individuals and small businesses without adding unnecessary pressure, but many taxpayers believe it's a standalone tax relief option.
However, the 'Fresh Start' program is actually a series of changes to existing IRS policies that increase eligibility and relieve certain requirements for tax relief benefits.
Full debt elimination is rare and requires taxpayers to meet strict IRS criteria, and the processing time can vary up to one year.
Experts warn taxpayers to avoid third-party tools that claim to help with tax relief, as they often collect personal information and manipulate customers into believing they can provide exclusive access to tax relief options.
Instead, taxpayers should use the IRS.gov Offer in Compromise pre-qualifier tool to check their eligibility and submit relevant documents and details.
The IRS offers relief options such as Offers in Compromise, Currently not Collectible status, Innocent Spouse Relief, and Penalty Abatement, which all have strict qualification criteria.
