Divorced but Still Liable? Clear Start Tax Explains How Joint Tax Debt Follows Both SpousesA divorce decree can assign a tax debt to one spouse. The IRS is not a party to that decree and is not bound by it.
IRS Flags Fake "Tribal Tax Credits" Being Sold by Promoters - Clear Start Tax Explains What Happens to Taxpayers Who Already Claimed OneThe credit does not exist under federal law. Taxpayers who claimed it can expect the return to be disallowed and the tax to come back, with interest and penalties on top.
Paycheck Suddenly Smaller? Clear Start Tax Explains How IRS Wage Garnishment Works and How to Stop ItA levy on wages is continuous. It keeps taking from every paycheck until the debt is resolved or the levy is released.
Owe the IRS More Than $10,000? Clear Start Tax Explains How Americans Are Using This IRS Program to Wipe Out Back TaxesThousands settle their balance for a fraction of what they owed. The program has existed since 2011, and the assumption that keeps most people from checking is the wrong one.
The October 15 Extension Deadline is Not a Payment Deadline - Clear Start Tax Explains What Filers Still OweAn extension moved the filing date. It never moved the payment date, and interest has been running since April.
The Fed Just Raised Rates for the First Time Since 2023 - Clear Start Tax Explains Why That Also Raises the Cost of Owing the IRSIRS interest on an unpaid balance is pegged to the federal short-term rate and reset every quarter. When the Fed moves, the cost of owing moves with it.
From First Notice to Final Levy - Clear Start Tax Explains the IRS Collection Timeline and Where Relief Options FitThe IRS follows a predictable sequence of notices before it seizes wages or bank funds, and knowing where you stand determines which options are still on the table.
When the IRS Won't Budge - Clear Start Tax Explains How the Taxpayer Advocate Service Helps Taxpayers Stuck in the SystemAn independent office inside the IRS can step in when financial hardship or bureaucratic delays leave taxpayers with nowhere else to turn - yet many have never heard of it.
Think You Earn Too Much for IRS Relief? Clear Start Tax Explains Why Income Alone Doesn't Decide Fresh Start EligibilityA common myth keeps higher earners from seeking help - but the IRS weighs expenses, assets, and circumstances, not just a salary figure.
One Spouse Owes the IRS? Clear Start Tax Explains How Injured Spouse Relief Protects the Other's Share of a Joint RefundWhen a joint refund is seized to cover one spouse's separate debt, the other spouse may be able to reclaim their portion - but only by filing the right form.
Self-Employed With Years of Back Taxes? Clear Start Tax Explains Which IRS Relief Programs 1099 Filers Actually Qualify ForIndependent contractors and gig workers often fall behind when no employer withholds their taxes - and the path back to compliance looks different than it does for W-2 employees.
"Guaranteed" IRS Settlements Are a Red Flag - Clear Start Tax Explains How to Spot Tax-Relief Scams and Vet a Legitimate FirmPromises of guaranteed savings and instant settlements are marketing bait - and knowing what a legitimate tax-resolution firm actually does helps taxpayers avoid predatory operators.
First-Time Penalty Relief Isn't Guaranteed - Clear Start Tax Explains When the IRS Grants It and When You Must Prove CausePenalties can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a tax balance, and while the IRS will remove them in some cases, taxpayers often misunderstand which relief they actually qualify for.
That 'IRS' Letter Might Be Fake - Clear Start Tax Explains How to Tell a Real IRS Notice From a ScamFraudulent letters designed to look like official IRS correspondence are pushing taxpayers to pay fast - and knowing the tells can prevent a costly mistake.
How the IRS Decides Who Qualifies to Settle for Less - Clear Start Tax Breaks Down Offer in Compromise Approval Factors in 2026The IRS approves only a fraction of Offer in Compromise applications each year, and understanding the math behind the decision is the difference between an accepted offer and a wasted filing.
IRS Shifts From Audits to Collections - Clear Start Tax Warns Levies and Passport Holds Are Rising in 2026As examination activity slows, tax practitioners are reporting a marked increase in aggressive collection actions - including bank levies and passport restrictions for those with significant tax debt.
When You Truly Can't Pay the IRS - Clear Start Tax Explains How "Currently Not Collectible" Status Works and Who QualifiesFor taxpayers facing genuine financial hardship, the IRS can pause collection activity - but the status is not automatic and must be documented.
IRS COVID-Era Penalty Refunds Close July 10 - Clear Start Tax Urges Eligible Taxpayers to Act Before the DeadlineA recent court ruling has opened a narrow, time-sensitive window for some taxpayers to seek refunds of pandemic-era penalties and interest - but the deadline to file a claim is July 10, 2026.
