Tax Controversy

Respond by the deadline stated in the notice, don't ignore it, and avoid volunteering more information than what's specifically requested. Reviewing the notice with a tax professional before responding can help determine whether it requires a simple clarification or signals a larger issue that needs a more strategic response. 

Timelines vary significantly depending on the type of issue; a straightforward penalty abatement request may resolve in weeks, while a full audit or appeals case can take many months. Working directly with professionals who have prior experience at the IRS, as CSH's team does, often helps move cases toward resolution faster than navigating the process independently.

Yes, in most cases. Setting up an approved installment agreement or other collection option generally halts more aggressive collection actions, like levies or liens, as long as the taxpayer stays current on the agreed payment terms.

An audit is the IRS's initial examination of a tax return to verify its accuracy, while a controversy case typically arises afterward, when there's a dispute over the audit's findings, a penalty, or a collection issue that needs to be resolved through appeals, negotiation, or other formal channels. Not every audit becomes a controversy, but a controversy case often originates from one.