Although not all people will be eligible for these options, the IRS will work with each individual to determine which relief option is best for you. The Fresh Start program benefits both taxpayers and the IRS.

This is not as bad as it was. The IRS has expanded its Fresh Start Initiative in 2012 and OIC acceptance rates have risen significantly from the 25-30% range.

In 2012, the IRS expanded the Fresh Start Program to allow more taxpayers to apply for tax relief. The main change in the program is that if an IRS agent considers a taxpayer eligible for an Offer In Compromise, the IRS will now make it easier to calculate the taxpayer's future income. The program has not seen any significant changes since 2012. However, the IRS examiners have been able to qualify taxpayers for tax relief at a different rate in recent years. The Fresh Start Tax Program saw record-breaking numbers of qualified applicants in 2020. The increase in Fresh Start tax relief applications and IRS' leniency in approving cases was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused financial hardship for millions of Americans. Many taxpayers will still be facing financial hardships in 2021. This includes students, parents, small-business owners, and parents. Experts in tax predict that the IRS Fresh Start Program eligibility will remain looser for a while, but it is unlikely that the IRS will relax its strict application requirements for an extended time. To determine if you are eligible for tax debt relief in 2020, check your eligibility for the 2021 IRS Fresh Start Initiative Program.

Emergency tax or fee relief is available from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for taxpayers who have been directly affected by disasters declared as state of emergencies, both within California and nationally. Available services may include the extension of tax return due dates, relief of penalty and interest, or replacement copies of records lost due to disasters.

Fresh Start Program permits taxpayers with back taxes, to enter into an agreement that extends payment over months, but no longer than 5-6 years. Direct debit payments are required and you must provide:

By submitting a form, you will be directed to the website of one of our affiliates who specializes in tax debt. We receive a fixed marketing fee for providing this service.

To qualify for vehicle ("car") tax relief under the Tax Relief Program you must be at least 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled as of January 1 of the application year and reside in Fairfax County. The exempted vehicle must be owned and used primarily by the applicant. Tax relief will only be granted on one vehicle.

If an applicant chooses to use the Academic Fresh Start Program, they must satisfy all LSC admission and re-admission requirements. Official transcripts must also be submitted from all colleges and universities attended before the Academic Fresh Start is granted. These courses may not count towards a degree, cannot be used in academic standing calculations, or may not count in the GPA calculation.

You may also be eligible for Fresh Start if your business owes tax. These requirements will apply to you:

The Academic Fresh Start Program does NOT apply to Financial Aid applicants who have met the Standards of Academic Progress. Accordingly, financial aid may not be available to students who have poor academic records.

We offer a free review of tax cases and more information about how to apply for the IRS Fresh Start Program.

The IRS says the Offer in Compromise program is not for everyone. The agency suggests that taxpayers “explore all other payment options before submitting an offer in compromise.”