McAllen Tax Debt Lawyer
Top-Rated Tax Debt Attorney In McAllen, TX
When you owe taxes to the IRS, you need to take action. If you ignore the agency, your debt will only grow, and you could eventually face collection actions, like the seizure of your property. If you can’t pay the full debt because of your financial situation, there are options to settle or negotiate your debt. A McAllen tax debt lawyer can walk you through these options and minimize your uncertainty and frustration when dealing with the IRS.
Facing IRS Challenges? Get the Representation You Deserve!
Dedicated and Actionable Legal Support With David Coffin PLLC
The attorneys at David Coffin PLLC focus on practical and useful legal guidance based on your specific financial and personal situation. We have over a decade of experience working solely in tax law, supporting individuals as they negotiate with the IRS. David Coffin offers detailed legal support based on 30 years of legal experience. He and his firm want to help you find the ideal resolution to your case, helping you protect your future.
Addressing Tax Debt in McAllen
If you owe taxes to the IRS in McAllen, the quickest way to resolve the situation is to pay the amount in full. However, taxpayers are usually dealing with tax debt because they can’t afford it. In this situation, the IRS is open to compromise. Some potential options for resolving your debt include:
Installment Agreement
An installment agreement is when you pay off your tax debt in installments, like a payment plan. You still owe the full tax debt, but you have more time to repay it. You can negotiate an installment agreement with the IRS for an amount that is reasonable in your financial situation. You can also negotiate terms like ending collection actions.
Penalty Abatement
Penalty abatement is when penalties are forgiven from your tax debt. There are three main reasons for penalty abatement with the IRS:
- First-Time Abatement: for when you have a good tax history compliance
- Reasonable Cause Abatement: for when you exercised ordinary care and acted in good faith, but were still unable to pay your taxes or meet other obligations
- Statutory Exceptions: for when you were in a federal disaster area or received incorrect information from the IRS
In fiscal year 2025, the IRS abated over $1.2 trillion in civil penalties. Penalty abatement doesn’t clear all your debt but can reduce it significantly by clearing penalties and accrued interest. This can make it easier to repay the rest of the debt.
Currently Not Collectible
Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status may be possible if you are facing financial hardship and can’t afford your tax debt. Marking your debt as CNC temporarily pauses collection actions and can give you the needed time to manage your finances. When your financial hardship and CNC status end, you are still responsible for the full tax debt, plus the penalties and interest that continued to accrue.
Offer in Compromise
An offer in compromise (OIC) enables you to pay the IRS an agreed-upon amount. When that amount is paid, your remaining debt is cleared. This lets you pay less to resolve the entire tax debt. OICs are very useful and can give you a fresh start. However, they are very tricky to secure. There are many qualifications to file for an OIC, and even then, your offer may not be approved. In 2025, the IRS only accepted 14.1% of all OICs proposed by taxpayers.
When Is Tax Debt Litigation Necessary?
Many tax debt cases can be handled outside of court, and an attorney can help you review these options to determine which is most useful for you. However, there are some cases where litigation is necessary to protect your financial interests. Tax debt litigation occurs when you take the case to court. You may challenge a decision the IRS made regarding tax debt settlement or the taxes themselves. These cases require significant evidence to prove your case.
FAQs
What Kind of Bank Account Cannot Be Garnished?
There are certain types of bank accounts that most creditors cannot garnish, such as an account for workers’ compensation payments, Social Security benefits, and retirement income. However, these limitations do not apply to the IRS. If you owe back taxes, the IRS can garnish nearly any type of wages and the bank accounts that you put those wages into. While most creditors also are limited to removing a certain percentage of your wages, the IRS isn’t.
When Do You Need to Hire a Tax Debt Lawyer in Texas?
You need to hire a tax lawyer in Texas if you have received one or more notices from the IRS about taxes you owe and you can’t afford the payment you owe or you think the assessed tax is not correct. An attorney can help you review your options, protect your rights, and handle negotiations with the IRS. They can assess whether you qualify for debt settlement or other solutions that protect your financial future.
Does IRS Tax Debt Expire?
IRS tax debt does expire, but it takes a long time, and the agency will take actions to collect your debt before the expiration. The IRS must assess a tax debt within three years of your owing the debt and collect the debt within ten years of assessing it. However, these deadlines can be changed by certain circumstances. The deadlines might be extended because you didn’t file a return, asked for a payment plan, or lived outside of the country.
What Are the Consequences of Unpaid Back Taxes in Texas?
There are several consequences of unpaid back taxes in Texas, including financial penalties, collection actions, and even criminal consequences.
Criminal consequences occur if the IRS believes you purposefully avoided paying your taxes or lied on your tax forms, so this is less common. Collection actions are more common and happen if the agency has sent you notice of the tax you owe, and the notice was ignored. They include liens on property or levies on your wages, bank accounts, or property.
Your McAllen Tax Debt Attorney
With David Coffin PLLC, you can determine your options for resolving your debt with more certainty. We can also represent you in negotiations at the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office located near McAllen in Harlingen. Contact us today.
Get Help Now: Call A Trusted Tax Attorney Serving Texas
Flexible scheduling and payment plans are available. To arrange to meet with an
experienced tax lawyer, send an email using the online form
Copyright © 2026 David Coffin PLLC . All Rights Reserved.
Digital Marketing By:
*Images are obtained under license from Canva and other third-party stock image providers, with attribution included where required.