If you’ve received a letter from the IRS—or just know you can’t pay what you owe—you’re not alone. Thousands of Florida taxpayers are in the same position. The IRS may seem intimidating, but there are legal, strategic options available to reduce, delay, or resolve your tax debt.

At Polaris Tax & Accounting, our federally licensed Enrolled Agents (EAs) represent Florida clients in front of the IRS every day. We help you avoid garnishments, negotiate settlements, and prevent penalties from spiraling out of control.

This guide will walk you through your IRS tax relief options, when each one applies, and how our team can help you take the next step.

First: Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore It

If you received an IRS notice, missed a payment deadline, or know you can’t pay your full tax bill, doing nothing is the worst choice. Penalties and interest add up quickly, and enforcement (like liens, levies, and garnishments) can begin sooner than you think.

The IRS offers resolution programs—but you need to know which ones apply, and how to qualify.

Option 1: Set Up an Installment Agreement

This is the most common IRS relief option for individuals and small businesses.

Benefits:

  • Spread payments over 6–72 months

  • Stops further IRS collection activity

  • Usually no need for detailed financial disclosure (under $50k)

Consider This If:

  • You owe less than $50,000

  • You can pay the full amount over time

  • You want to avoid enforced collections

🧩 Polaris can help you apply, negotiate lower monthly payments, and avoid common setup mistakes.

Option 2: Offer in Compromise (OIC)

This IRS program allows qualifying taxpayers to settle tax debt for less than the full amount owed.

Benefits:

  • Eliminate tens of thousands in back taxes

  • Final, permanent resolution

  • Stops penalties and interest from continuing

Consider This If:

  • You truly can’t afford to pay the full amount

  • Your income is limited or irregular

  • You have few assets or equity

⚠️ Less than 40% of Offer in Compromise applications are accepted. Working with a qualified Enrolled Agent greatly increases your chances.

👉 Learn more about IRS problems here:
Florida IRS Tax Problems – How an EA Can Help

Option 3: Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status

This status temporarily halts all IRS collection when you’re financially unable to pay anything at all.

Benefits:

  • Stops levies and garnishments

  • No monthly payments required

  • Protects low-income or unemployed taxpayers

Consider This If:

  • You’re facing financial hardship

  • You’re unemployed, disabled, or recovering from disaster

  • Your income barely covers basic living expenses

Polaris can help build the financial case and submit the correct forms to the IRS.

Option 4: Penalty Abatement

If your tax debt is inflated by penalties, we can often reduce or eliminate them using first-time abatement or reasonable cause relief.

Common Penalties We Remove:

  • Failure to file

  • Failure to pay

  • Estimated tax underpayment

👉 Learn about tax mistakes that often trigger penalties:
Top 5 Tax Mistakes in Florida (And How to Fix Them)

What an Enrolled Agent Can Do That Software Can’t

This isn’t something TurboTax can fix.

Enrolled Agents are federally licensed to negotiate with the IRS on your behalf—whether it’s an Offer in Compromise, installment agreement, or audit. We:

  • Review all IRS notices and transcripts

  • Stop collection actions

  • Build and submit relief applications

  • Represent you directly with IRS agents

🧠 Learn more here: What Is an Enrolled Agent?

How Polaris Helps Florida Clients Get Relief

We’re not just preparing forms—we’re building legal defenses and tax reduction strategies that stick. For clients in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and across Florida, we:

  • Evaluate your eligibility for relief programs

  • Contact the IRS to pause collections

  • File power of attorney and take over IRS communication

  • Build financial disclosures to support your claim

You don’t have to go it alone.

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Final Thoughts: The Sooner You Act, the More Options You Have

You don’t need to live in fear of the IRS. Whether you owe $5,000 or $500,000, there’s almost always a path forward—and we’ll help you find it.

📍 Get Help Now

✅ Schedule a Confidential IRS Tax Debt Consultation
✅ Explore Enrolled Agent IRS Representation