A clear path from tax problem to resolution
Our Process
When you owe the IRS or the state, the hardest part is not knowing where you actually stand. Our attorney-led team starts by finding out exactly what you’re facing, then builds the resolution you qualify for and stays with you until it’s behind you. Two attorneys work on every client case at The W Tax Group.
“Right now you’re in a dark room. The first thing we do is turn the lights on”.
Understand the problem, then solve it
The Overview
Tax resolution feels overwhelming because the IRS rarely shows you the full picture. We break it into clear stages so you always know what’s happening and why, from your first free, no-obligation call to long after your case is closed.
In short: we start with a free consultation, then investigate to see exactly what the IRS sees, present the best resolution you qualify for and pursue the best outcome the law allows, and give you the tools to stay ahead afterward.
At its heart, it’s a simple two-step process (investigate, then resolve) wrapped in support from your first call onward.
Every step in plain view, no surprises
The w tax group process
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Free Consultation
No cost, no obligation
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation, at no cost and no obligation. We’ll listen to your situation, answer your questions, and figure out whether The W Tax Group can actually help you. If we’re a good fit and you determine you’ll benefit from working with us, we’ll walk you through exactly what comes next before you make a commitment. We want you to be 100% comfortable moving forward with our team.
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The Investigation
We see your case the way the IRS sees it
We file IRS Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) so we can deal with the IRS directly on your behalf, then pull your full record and turn the lights on:
- Exactly how much is owed, and for which years
- How much is principal vs. penalties vs. interest
- Which returns are filed, and which are missing
- Whether the IRS filed a Substitute for Return for you
- What collection action is active or on the way
- Collection Statute Expiration Dates (how long the IRS has left to collect)
- Any IRS errors we can flag and get corrected
We also run a full financial analysis: a clear-eyed look at your income, expenses, and assets. What you qualify for depends as much on where you stand financially as on what you owe, so this is where we pinpoint your realistic options. Your financial information stays confidential and is used only to determine your options.
Case in point
A married couple came to us in a panic over roughly $101,000 in tax debt, sure they had to act that day. When we pulled their IRS transcripts, we saw what they couldn’t: the IRS had never sent the Final Notice of Intent to Levy it must issue before seizing wages or accounts, and part of the balance was near the end of the IRS’s collection window. That full picture reshaped the entire strategy, and they ultimately avoided about $59,000 they’d otherwise have rushed to pay without an in-depth analysis by our tax team.
Illustrative past result. Every situation is different and outcomes vary.
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The Resolution
The strongest option you qualify for
Once we know what you’re working with, we present the best resolution for your situation in plain language, then handle the filings and negotiate directly with the IRS or state.
- Installment agreement, including partial-pay plans
- Currently Not Collectible status, if you qualify
- Offer in Compromise, when the numbers support it
- Penalty abatement where there’s reasonable cause
- First-time penalty abatement, if you’re eligible
Case in point
A couple in their early seventies owed about $71,000 with a $561 monthly payment they could no longer manage on retirement income. By documenting their financial reality and negotiating a partial-pay installment agreement, we brought that payment down to $57 a month.
Illustrative past result. Every situation is different and outcomes vary.
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Staying Ahead
Set up for a clean slate going forward
With your resolution finalized, we make sure you leave knowing how to stay compliant and steer clear of the same problems going forward. And if a new tax issue ever comes up down the road, you’ll know exactly who to call.
Free Consultation
Subhead: No cost, no obligation
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation, at no cost and no obligation. We’ll listen to your situation, answer your questions, and figure out whether The W Tax Group can actually help you. If we’re a good fit and you determine you’ll benefit from working with us, we’ll walk you through exactly what comes next before you make a commitment. We want you to be 100% comfortable moving forward with our team.
The Investigation
We see your case the way the IRS sees it
We file IRS Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) so we can deal with the IRS directly on your behalf, then pull your full record and turn the lights on:
- Exactly how much is owed, and for which years
- How much is principal vs. penalties vs. interest
- Which returns are filed, and which are missing
- Whether the IRS filed a Substitute for Return for you
- What collection action is active or on the way
- Collection Statute Expiration Dates (how long the IRS has left to collect)
- Any IRS errors we can flag and get corrected
We also run a full financial analysis: a clear-eyed look at your income, expenses, and assets. What you qualify for depends as much on where you stand financially as on what you owe, so this is where we pinpoint your realistic options. Your financial information stays confidential and is used only to determine your options.
Case in point
A married couple came to us in a panic over roughly $101,000 in tax debt, sure they had to act that day. When we pulled their IRS transcripts, we saw what they couldn’t: the IRS had never sent the Final Notice of Intent to Levy it must issue before seizing wages or accounts, and part of the balance was near the end of the IRS’s collection window. That full picture reshaped the entire strategy, and they ultimately avoided about $59,000 they’d otherwise have rushed to pay without an in-depth analysis by our tax team.
Illustrative past result. Every situation is different and outcomes vary.
The Resolution
The strongest option you qualify for
Once we know what you’re working with, we present the best resolution for your situation in plain language, then handle the filings and negotiate directly with the IRS or state.
- Installment agreement, including partial-pay plans
- Currently Not Collectible status, if you qualify
- Offer in Compromise, when the numbers support it
- Penalty abatement where there’s reasonable cause
- First-time penalty abatement, if you’re eligible
Case in point
A couple in their early seventies owed about $71,000 with a $561 monthly payment they could no longer manage on retirement income. By documenting their financial reality and negotiating a partial-pay installment agreement, we brought that payment down to $57 a month.
Illustrative past result. Every situation is different and outcomes vary.
Staying Ahead
Set up for a clean slate going forward
With your resolution finalized, we make sure you leave knowing how to stay compliant and steer clear of the same problems going forward. And if a new tax issue ever comes up down the road, you’ll know exactly who to call.
We work with business owners, too
Individual and Business
The same two-step process applies whether you’re an individual or a business. Payroll and trust-fund tax cases move fast and can put personal liability on the people behind the business, and helping business owners resolve them is one of our strongest areas. From payroll and sales tax to every other business-related tax issue, our tax team handles it.
Already got a levy, garnishment, or a deadline?
If you’re facing active collections
Some situations can’t wait for the full process to run its course. If enforcement is active or imminent, we move immediately.
Time-sensitive situations we act on right away
As soon as we’re retained, we submit your Power of Attorney and can request a hold on collections while we review your case. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can do, though no firm can promise to stop every collection action.
We handle both the IRS and state tax agencies
Federal State
Many tax resolution firms only take federal IRS cases. We represent taxpayers before the IRS nationwide, in all 50 states, and before all state tax authorities, including our home state of Michigan.
Federal (IRS) tax matters
State tax agencies
An attorney-led team that knows how the IRS works
Who’s on your side
The firm’s real edge is hands-on, procedural command of how the IRS actually operates, the kind of insider knowledge that opens up options other people can’t see.
Stephen A. Weisberg
Founder & Lead Tax Attorney
Founded The W Tax Group in 2014. Licensed Michigan attorney with a deep, working command of the Internal Revenue Manual; represents individuals and businesses nationwide.
Lyle Warren
President & Tax Attorney
Licensed Michigan attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience, concentrated in tax resolution: income, payroll, sales/use, and state employment tax.
What clients ask before they start
Common questions
How long does the process take?
The investigation is usually the quicker stage; the resolution stage depends on which option fits and how quickly the IRS or state processes it. We’ll give you a realistic timeline once the investigation is complete.
What is a Power of Attorney, and why do you need one?
IRS Form 2848 authorizes us to speak with the IRS as your representative. It’s what lets us pull your full record and deal with the IRS directly, so you don’t have to.
Can you stop a bank levy or wage garnishment?
Once we’re retained, we can request a hold on collections while we review your case. Acting early gives us the most room to help, though no firm can guarantee stopping every collection action. The sooner you get ahead of it with a Power of Attorney, the more leverage we have to prevent collection action.
Do you handle state taxes as well as the IRS?
Yes. We represent taxpayers before the IRS nationwide and before many state tax authorities, including the Michigan Department of Treasury.
What if the IRS already filed returns for me?
When the IRS files a Substitute for Return, the balance is often higher than what you’d actually owe. Filing correct returns can reduce it, and that’s something the investigation is built to catch.
