Tough times and tough decisions forced couple into bankruptcy, losing their business and leaving them with hundreds of thousands in unpaid tax debt.
Situation:
As any business owner will attest, managing a company can be a delicate balancing act. During prosperous times, it’s easier to keep a steady ship. But when challenges arise, difficult decisions made under duress can come back to haunt you.
That’s a business lesson not unfamiliar to Douglas Smith and his wife, Dana. The one-time co-owners of an ambulance service provider had managed their successful business for many years until tough times forced the couple to make arduous economic choices. Squeezed between paying employee salaries and keeping current on all tax obligations, the couple chose the former – thinking they would “catch up” when financial pressures eased. However, as interest and penalties accumulated, the unpaid taxes became a hurdle too big to overcome. Forced into bankruptcy and struggling to pay bills and keep the company, the Smiths were distressed and disillusioned.
“There were some extraordinarily dark times,” recalled Doug Smith. “It certainly wasn’t the most joyous of times or the most anticipated of consequences.”
The Problem:
In the case of the Smiths and their business operations, there were actually multiple problems – all requiring attention at once. But perhaps the most pressing issue was the constant pressure from the IRS to settle the matter. Faced with a struggling business and a tax bill reaching “hundreds of thousands” of dollars, the Smiths were under an increasing amount of stress both at work and at home.
“You still have to pay your bills,” Doug said. “You still have to try to make your business work. We were still running the company trying to get a contract so we could get out of this mess. It was not good times.”
“There was a lot of stress. A lot of emotion,” Dana added. “We saw a lot of tears.”
With such a large amount of money owed and no way to pay it, the Smiths were becoming concerned about the potential consequences, including the fear that jail time might be a possibility.
“I don’t really know if it was a possibility but we’d heard stories,” Doug said. “Certainly with over a hundred thousand dollars at stake, I’m not sure how forgiving a prosecuting attorney would be if it had ever gotten to that point.”
Fortunately, it never did.
The Solution:
With the recognition that their tax troubles were only getting worse – and a desire to move forward with their lives in a positive way – the Smiths decided that professional help was in order. Disappointed by the lack of support they were finding in their community, the couple was understandably wary of seeking outside help. Yet, the Smiths needed help from someone familiar with, and adept at, solving the tax problem they were facing. Fortunately, 20/20 Tax Resolution possessed the exact experience the couple required.
“I did research online just to look for relief,” Doug said. “When I checked 20/20 Tax Resolution, I also checked their Better Business Bureau rating and decided they were the ones I wanted to call.”
Satisfied with 20/20’s BBB, the Smiths contacted the firm and were quickly blown away by the attention to detail and responsiveness of their 20/20 representative.
“They were very understanding and very clear on what we needed,” Doug said. “We were moving forward and making good progress when my bankruptcy came back to throw a bump in the road.”
During the process of finalizing an Offer in Compromise (OIC) with the IRS, it was determined that the Smith’s bankruptcy filing had not been “fully discharged” – which means the couple possessed remaining assets not considered in the OIC. (An OIC allows qualified individuals with an unpaid tax debt to negotiate a settled amount that is less than the total owed.) As a result, the original OIC was returned, but Doug said that 20/20’s commitment to resolving their issue never wavered.
“They were diligent, caring and showed the highest integrity,” he said. “My case took a few curves and hit some bumps along the way, but all were masterfully handled by them. I have nothing but the greatest of praise and highest recommendation for anyone needing 20/20’s tax resolution services.”
After a very long process, a new OIC was secured for the Smiths which effectively reduced their debt to a fraction of the couple’s original tax debt. (You can view the actual OIC here.) For the first time, the Smiths could see a light at the end of their very long, dark tunnel.
“For anyone going through this, I would say find a very good advocate for yourself,” Doug said. “I believe I found an excellent advocate at 20/20. My team was worth a million bucks. They were there whenever I had an issue. Sam Million and his assistant, John Casanova (the Smith’s 20/20 team) were exquisitely talented in helping with my case and understanding the stress I felt throughout the case. Thanks to their efforts our life has improved considerably.”
In fact, Dana said the assistance of 20/20 may just have saved the couple’s marriage. Today, the Smith’s are “starting over” and rebuilding their lives free of the worry and burden that overtook their lives for nearly six years. If everything works according to plan, the couple will purchase a new home this year – something unimaginable just a few short months ago.