Tax Resolution
IRS Problems Do Not Fix Themselves — We Help You Resolve Them
An IRS notice. A tax lien on your business. A penalty notice for unfiled returns. These situations feel overwhelming — especially when you are trying to run a business at the same time. Startup Books provides expert tax resolution support for small businesses, helping you understand your options, respond correctly, and work toward a resolution that gets your business back on solid ground.
What is Tax Resolution?
Tax resolution is the process of addressing and resolving outstanding issues with the IRS or state tax authorities. This includes unpaid tax balances, unfiled returns, penalties, liens, and levies. Resolving these issues requires understanding the tax code, knowing what options are available, and communicating with tax authorities in the right way — at the right time
Issues We Help Resolve
- Back Taxes If your business has unpaid federal or state tax balances from prior years, we help you understand the full amount owed, explore payment plan options, and negotiate directly with the IRS where possible to reduce penalties and interest.
- Tax Penalties The IRS charges penalties for late filing, late payment, and failure to deposit payroll taxes. Many penalties can be reduced or eliminated through a formal penalty abatement request — particularly for businesses with a clean compliance history. We prepare and submit these requests on your behalf.
- Tax Liens A federal tax lien is the government’s legal claim against your assets when you owe back taxes. It can affect your ability to get credit, sell assets, or operate normally. We help you understand the lien, explore withdrawal and discharge options, and work toward resolution.
- Tax Levies A tax levy is the actual seizure of assets — bank accounts, receivables, or property — to satisfy a tax debt. If you have received a levy notice, time is critical. We act quickly to communicate with the IRS and explore options to release or prevent the levy while a resolution is negotiated.
How We Help
- Review your full tax situation and identify all outstanding liabilities
- Ensure all unfiled returns are brought current before negotiations begin
- Prepare and submit Installment Agreement requests for manageable payment plans
- File Offer in Compromise applications where appropriate
- Submit penalty abatement requests with documented justification
- Communicate directly with IRS representatives on your behalf
- Coordinate with your bookkeeper to prevent future compliance issues
What We Do
Got a Question? Get your answer
Quick answers to common tax and bookkeeping questions. Still unsure? Reach out and we’ll guide you.
Do you file tax returns directly?
Yes. Our income tax filing service covers small business tax return preparation and submission. For clients on ongoing bookkeeping plans, your books are already in tax-ready format — filing becomes straightforward.
What about 1099s for contractors?
We track all contractor payments throughout the year and prepare your 1099-NEC filings by the January 31 deadline. You never have to scramble for W-9s at year-end.
How serious is an IRS notice?
Not all IRS notices are emergencies — many are routine requests for information or notifications of minor adjustments. However, notices involving liens, levies, or collection actions require a prompt response. Contact us as soon as you receive a notice so we can assess the situation.
Can penalties actually be reduced?
Yes. The IRS offers first-time penalty abatement for taxpayers with a good compliance history, and reasonable cause abatement for circumstances outside your control. Many small businesses qualify — but the request must be filed correctly.
Do I need to be current on filings before resolving a balance?
Yes. The IRS will not negotiate a payment plan or settlement if you have outstanding unfiled returns. Getting current on filings is always the first step — and we handle that for you.
Is this service available to businesses already working with an accountant?
Yes. We can work alongside your existing CPA or take over the resolution process entirely depending on your situation.
Ready to Grow with Confidence?
Keep your books tax-ready all year and eliminate last-minute scrambling. Get expert support for income tax filing, 1099s, and IRS compliance — so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.