Avoiding IRS Penalties 1000px
By: Glenn Schanel, CPA
on September 7, 2016

$37,461.22.  That is the dollar amount our team at Schanel & Associates has saved taxpayers this year in IRS penalties through penalty abatement requests.  While we were happy to help clients, we, of course, prefer that these penalties are avoided altogether.   Below are a few things that taxpayers can do to avoid IRS penalties:

Send tax returns and other IRS communication via an IRS designated Private Delivery Service or the USPS’ Certified Mail service.  Surprisingly, many of the issues we fight are simply a disagreement over when a return was filed or a payment was sent.  With proof of mailing and delivery, the taxpayer or the accountant will be in a much stronger position when responding to the IRS.

Engage in regular tax planning.  Many penalties occur because the taxpayer isn’t even aware that they owe or may owe taxes.  With regular tax planning, a taxpayer can get an estimate of where he or she stands and can plan accordingly.

In the event penalties are assessed, hire an experienced professional.   There are many circumstances that can lead to the assessment of an IRS penalty.  In addition, dealing with the IRS can be a challenge.  Therefore, it is important to not only hire a tax professional but a tax pro that has experience in the field of IRS resolution.

If you or someone you know has an IRS issue, please feel free to contact our offices at 561-624-2118.


Schanel & Associates is a CPA firm specializing in accounting, tax, business valuation and litigation support serving Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties and beyond since 1993. Our CPAs and accounting professionals work with individuals, businesses, estates and trusts to provide everything you need under one roof. For more information, contact us today at 561-624-2118. Glenn Schanel is the founding Principal of Schanel and Associates. Glenn Schanel is a CPA with over three decades of experience helping people and organizations manage, make sense of and benefit from their finances. He oversees areas that include auditing, accounting, tax, business valuation, forensic accounting, litigation support and other consulting services to both business and individual clients.

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