Harlingen Tax Debt Lawyer
Experienced Tax Debt Attorney In Harlingen, TX
If you have unpaid taxes, the IRS can take steps to recover those taxes. Many taxpayers have unpaid taxes because they are in a financially difficult situation, and IRS collection actions only worsen this financial strain. While it can feel overwhelming, you do have options. The IRS is willing to negotiate with taxpayers who can’t afford their debt. You can work with a Harlingen tax debt lawyer to assess your options for paying and settling your debt.
Facing IRS Challenges? Get the Representation You Deserve!
Hire a Tax Debt Lawyer Offering Practical Guidance at David Coffin PLLC
David Coffin PLLC offers individuals, families, and business owners over a decade of experience in tax law and careful attention to detail.
Our firm works only in tax law and helps taxpayers navigate issues with the IRS. This means we have an in-depth understanding of these cases and can help you find the ideal outcome for your case. Our team can help you prepare for any in-person meetings with the IRS, such as at the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office in Harlingen at 1810 Hale Avenue. Our attorneys can also represent you in negotiations at the office.
When you work with our firm, we work with you to minimize your uncertainty, answer your questions, and assess the right option for addressing your tax debt. David Coffin has 30 years of legal experience, much of this in tax laws, and is a certified public accountant. He and the rest of our firm want to help you protect your future.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Taxes in Harlingen?
If you don’t pay your taxes in Harlingen, you can face several penalties, such as failure to file or failure to pay, and other penalties. Some of these penalties are assessed multiple times. In fiscal year 2025, the IRS assessed $33.1 billion in civil penalties on individual and estate and trust taxes. The initial tax payment and the penalties will accrue interest as time passes.
The IRS will send you notices to pay your bill. If you do nothing to pay the amount or get in contact with the IRS, the agency will likely take certain collection actions. This includes:
- Liens. A lien is a claim on your property that the IRS can place on your home, vehicle, other real estate, and other property. The IRS filed 214,099 notices of federal tax liens in fiscal year 2025. A lien can prevent you from selling or refinancing assets and even result in the eventual loss of the property.
- Levies. A levy is a seizure of your property. The IRS can seize funds directly or seize assets to sell and cover the debt you owe. The IRS made 339,137 requests of third parties for levies in 2025. This includes levies of bank funds, wages, and real property.
When you receive your initial notice of unpaid tax debt, it is important to act quickly. The easiest way to avoid collection actions and further issues is to pay the debt in full. If you can’t afford the debt, there are other options. When you hire a tax debt lawyer, they can review what options you have to resolve your debt or give you more time to pay it off.
Options for Resolving Tax Debt
There are several potential ways to resolve your IRS tax debt if you can’t afford the full amount, such as:
- An Installment Agreement: which allows you to pay off the full amount of your tax debt in installments.
- Penalty Abatement: which can waive specific penalties and interest to reduce your overall debt.
- Currently Not Collectible Status: which temporarily pauses collection on your debt.
- An Offer in Compromise: which settles your full tax debt for a lesser amount.
- Tax Debt Litigation: which may be necessary to challenge decisions made by the IRS about your tax debt or your options for settlement.
Not all taxpayers qualify for all these options. When you work with an attorney, they can assess your eligibility for the options and determine which is most useful for you.
FAQs
How Long Before a Tax Debt Becomes Uncollectible in Texas?
In Texas, a tax debt becomes uncollectible ten years after it is assessed, and can be assessed three years after a tax was due or a return was filed. However, there are exceptions to these deadlines that give the IRS more time to collect the tax. As the deadline approaches, the IRS is also more likely to take more serious collection actions, likely causing you a lot of financial strain. You should take action instead of waiting for the deadline.
How Many Years Can Taxes Go Unpaid in Texas?
There is no number of years you can not pay taxes without potential consequences. If you go even one year without paying taxes in Texas, you can face penalties and will receive notices of the unpaid taxes. If those notices are ignored, the tax agency may take action to collect the taxes. This can include putting liens on your property, taking portions of your wages, or seizing your property.
What Is the 7-7-7 Rule for Debt Collectors?
The 7-7-7 rule for debt collectors refers to the limits on how often a debt collector is allowed to contact someone about their debt. However, these limits apply largely to commercial debt collectors, not to tax debt collectors. If the IRS is taking action to collect your debt, the agency may not be restricted to these rules.
Can You Go to Jail for Not Paying a Tax Debt in Texas?
You can go to jail for not paying tax debt in Texas, but it is uncommon and only occurs if the IRS thinks you are purposefully avoiding paying your taxes or lying on your return. The IRS can charge you with tax evasion or tax fraud in these cases, and this might lead to a criminal conviction. However, for most people with unpaid tax debt, jail time is unlikely. Instead, you may face penalties, notices, and collection actions.
Dedicated Harlingen Tax Debt Attorney for Your Tax Debt Case
By addressing your tax debt, you can minimize your financial strain and personal stress in the future and get back in good standing with the IRS. The agency is open to working with taxpayers on these cases, and the team at David Coffin PLLC can help you navigate this process more easily. Contact our attorneys today.
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