
It can be incredibly stressful when you owe taxes to the IRS, especially when the debt is too high for you to pay back all at once. It’s important to take action to address your debt even when you can’t pay it, through methods like payment plans or debt settlement. Otherwise, you could face more serious actions by the IRS to collect what you owe. A Brownsville tax debt lawyer helps you look over your options to settle your debt and make the process less stressful.
At David Coffin PLLC, we support individual and business taxpayers in Brownsville and surrounding communities, helping them navigate issues with the IRS. This is our only legal focus, and we have over a decade of experience in tax law. Our goal is to work with you to find actionable solutions to resolve your tax debt, so that you can move forward with less stress and financial uncertainty.
David Coffin has nearly 30 years of legal experience and is also a certified public accountant. He and our experienced team listen to your situation and determine the ideal way to get you back on track.
It can be unfortunately easy to owe the IRS back taxes, sometimes without knowing why. An error or sudden emergency in your life can lead to penalties because you didn’t file your taxes accurately, on time, or at all. In Brownsville, 10.1% of workers are self-employed. Those who are self-employed have more tax responsibilities, which can cause issues if they are ignored.
You owe the IRS penalties assessed for these errors and any interest they accrue. In fiscal year 2025, the IRS assessed $1.2 trillion in civil penalties, including $33.1 billion assessed against individual and estate and trust income taxes. The IRS will send you tax bills for the unpaid amount. If you don’t repay the debt or take other steps to address your debt with the agency, the IRS is likely to take certain collection actions to recover the unpaid amount.
If you are unable to pay your full IRS tax debt, there may be other options for you. Some of the key methods of resolving your tax debt include:
An attorney can help you assess these options and review the necessity of tax debt litigation for your unique case.
The cost of a tax debt attorney in Texas varies based on the attorney and your specific case. These cases might be charged as an hourly fee or flat fee, depending on the type of legal support you need. A more complex case that requires negotiation with the IRS is likely to be charged hourly. Attorneys who are more experienced tend to have higher fees. Talk with our firm about your case to understand what costs you could expect.
Tax debt relief attorneys are often worth it, as they can assess how you can resolve your debt. They determine the options you qualify for, determine which are most useful for your specific situation, and help you apply for relief. Without an attorney, you may be unaware of your options and suffer financial hardship. An attorney may also improve your chances of successfully securing tax debt relief by helping you avoid errors in the process.
The IRS will usually settle for what it thinks you can pay. Debt settlements generally refer to offers in compromise. When the IRS reviews your offer, the agency reviews factors like your income, expenses, asset equity, and ability to pay. It accepts an offer if that offer represents the most it can reasonably expect to collect from you. When you hire a tax debt lawyer, it can be easier to assess what a reasonable settlement offer is without overpaying.
There are numerous potential consequences of unpaid tax debt in Texas, beginning with multiple potential fines and growing interest on top of your principal debt. You could also face collection actions if you ignore tax bills sent by a tax agency. These actions include liens on your property, bank account levies, and wage garnishment. This can cause serious financial issues.
In extreme cases, you could face criminal charges if the agency thinks you are committing intentional fraud or evasion.
At David Coffin PLLC, we can help you manage your tax debt with the IRS. The nearest IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office to Brownsville is located in Harlingen. Our firm knows when in-person negotiations with the IRS are necessary and can help you prepare for discussions or represent you. Contact our firm today.
Flexible scheduling and payment plans are available. To arrange to meet with an
experienced tax lawyer, send an email using the online form