'I just stuck my head in the sand,' this reader writes.
Dear Tax Guy, I am an inveterate procrastinator. For most of my adult life I avoided any serious consequences from late filing my taxes by not actually owing any taxes — in most years I received refunds.
Clearly, this will eventually bite me in the behind. How do I find an accountant who can unravel the mess I’ve made?The good news is you have the power to address the problem and get on with your life. It’s the start of a New Year, and now’s as good a time as any. I talked to Nina Olson, the former National Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS who is now the executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights. In her time at the agency and, before that, preparing taxes herself, Olson has heard stories like yours. One person asked Olson for help with 15 years of unfiled tax returns.
You could handle appeals and collection issues with the IRS yourself, Olson said. But consider the time cost. “You want this matter closed quickly. You don’t want to spend the rest of your life in a conversation with the IRS,” she said. Once identifying someone, some questions include when the person thinks they’ll have it done. Also, how will they charge? By the hour? By the form? A flat rate? Another good question for a knotty scenario is whether they have professional liability coverage, Olson said.
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