IRS assistance with a clear strategy for moving your case forward
An IRS notice, balance or audit request can be difficult to address without first understanding the account and the underlying tax issue. We help you review the situation, organize the information and identify the next steps that may be appropriate.
Depending on the case, that may involve reviewing notices and transcripts, organizing records, preparing missing or amended returns, correcting financial information, or coordinating with an authorized professional when formal representation before the IRS is required.
We assist individuals and businesses from our Miami office, and virtually when appropriate, in English and Spanish.
At a glance
- Service
- Assistance with IRS notices, balances, audits, unfiled returns and other federal tax matters.
- Who it's for
- Individuals and businesses who need to understand, prepare or address a situation with the IRS.
- How we work
- In person at our Miami office, with virtual consultations available when appropriate, in English and Spanish.
- Getting started
- Schedule a consultation or reach out to us on WhatsApp.
Don't ignore an IRS letter — but don't respond before you understand it
These are some of the situations individuals and business owners bring to Alemay Business. If any of them sounds familiar, the first step is reviewing the full case.
- You received a letter or notice from the IRS
- The IRS says you owe money
- You don't understand why there is a balance
- You are being asked for documents
- You received an audit notification
- You have unfiled tax returns from prior years
- You need to correct a return you already filed
- You have penalties that have added up
- You need to evaluate a payment option
- You received information related to collection
- You have a levy or the threat of a levy
- There is a lien or another related matter
- You need to review IRS transcripts
- The IRS is showing information you don't understand
- Your business has open tax matters
- You need to reconstruct information in order to respond
- You already tried to resolve the matter and it is still open
The type of notice, the tax period, the dates shown and the full situation determine what should be done. Not every letter requires formal representation.
The first step is understanding what the IRS is asking
Before making a decision, it helps to review the entire matter. These are some of the points we typically review to understand what is happening with your account.
- Which notice you received
- Which tax year or period is involved
- Which form is involved
- What amount is shown
- What the IRS is requesting
- What deadline appears in the communication
- Which returns were filed
- Which returns are missing
- What documents support your position
- What information appears in the available transcripts
- Whether there is an underlying bookkeeping problem
- Whether there was prior communication with the IRS
An IRS matter often requires several pieces working together
Depending on the case, the work may combine case review, preparation, correction, strategy, professional coordination and follow-up.
Case review
We review the issue, the notices, the documentation, the tax periods and the background information available.
Preparation
We organize documents, returns, evidence and any information needed to address the matter.
Correction
When appropriate, we work on delinquent returns, amended returns, bookkeeping and the reconstruction of financial information.
Strategy
We analyze what should be addressed first and which alternatives may be relevant based on the facts of the case.
Professional coordination
If the case requires formal representation before the IRS, we coordinate the appropriate authorized professional for the matter.
Follow-up
We follow up on the next steps and keep the process organized throughout the agreed scope of work.
The level of involvement depends on the case
Many matters are handled through analysis, preparation and organization. Others require specific authority to represent a taxpayer before the IRS.
Alemay Business
- Receive the case and listen to the full situation
- Review the information available
- Organize the documentation
- Prepare tax returns when appropriate
- Correct or reconstruct bookkeeping when appropriate
- Review notices and communications received
- Prepare the case file
- Develop the working strategy
- Assist with administrative matters within the permitted scope
- Help prepare possible resolution alternatives
- Coordinate the process with the parties involved
- Follow up on the next steps
An authorized professional when required
When formal representation rights are required, Alemay Business coordinates the matter with the appropriate professional from its partner network so the case can continue through the proper channel and that professional can:
- Exercise the corresponding authorized representation
- Communicate formally within the authorized scope
- Respond to or defend the taxpayer's position when applicable
- Handle actions that require specific professional authority
The professional assigned depends on the nature and complexity of the case.
Did you receive a letter from the IRS?
An IRS letter can be about very different things. Reviewing what it actually says is what makes it possible to decide on the next step.
Different IRS notices require different responses, so the first step is understanding what the notice actually says.
- Outstanding balances
- Missing information
- Changes made by the IRS
- Requests for documentation
- Discrepancies in reported information
- Penalties
- Collection matters
- Audits or reviews
- Verification issues
- Other matters related to your account
Assistance with IRS audits and reviews
An audit or review requires understanding exactly what is being requested and preparing the documentation in an organized way. Depending on the case, we can help:
- Review the audit notice
- Identify what the IRS is requesting
- Organize the required documents
- Reconstruct information when needed
- Prepare the supporting documentation
- Review the returns involved
- Coordinate the evidence available
- Prepare the case in an organized way
- Define the strategy for responding
- Coordinate authorized representation when required
When the audit requires formal representation, we coordinate the appropriate authorized professional for the case. We do not guarantee a favorable outcome.
If returns are missing, the situation has to be reconstructed first
Some IRS problems are connected to returns that were never filed. If required returns have not been filed, preparing the missing filings may need to come before certain options can be evaluated. Depending on the case, we can:
- Identify the missing years
- Organize the documents available
- Review the available transcripts when proper authorization is in place
- Reconstruct the information needed
- Prepare the delinquent returns when appropriate
- Coordinate bookkeeping when needed
- Help you get caught up in an organized way
Filing delinquent returns does not by itself remove penalties, interest or outstanding balances: every situation is evaluated individually.
When a return that was already filed needs to be revisited
If an error, an omission or another situation is identified that justifies revisiting a previously filed return, we can analyze whether preparing an amended return is appropriate.
Not every discrepancy requires an amendment: in some cases the right response is something else, and in others providing documentation is enough. An amended return also does not necessarily mean a refund; the result depends on the facts and on the IRS review.
Sometimes the tax issue starts with incomplete financial records
If the business records are behind, incomplete or disorganized, it may be necessary to reconstruct or correct the bookkeeping before the IRS matter can be addressed accurately.
Getting the books in order does not automatically resolve an IRS problem, but in certain cases it is a necessary step in order to respond with reliable information.
- Prepare missing returns
- Respond to requests for information
- Support the figures reported
- Organize the evidence available
- Understand how a balance was created
- Prepare the case file
If you owe the IRS, start by understanding the balance and your options
An outstanding balance does not always mean what it appears to at first glance. Understanding it may require reviewing:
- Tax period involved
- Tax assessed
- Penalties applied
- Interest accrued
- Returns filed and returns missing
- Payments made
- Current financial situation
- Status of the collection process
- Options that may be available
We do not promise a reduction of the debt. Our work is to understand the balance, organize the information and help you evaluate which alternatives may make sense in your case.
A payment plan may be an option in certain cases
When there is an outstanding balance, an installment agreement may be one of the options to evaluate. We can help you prepare and guide you through the process.
The availability and conditions of a payment plan depend on IRS rules and on the taxpayer's situation. We do not guarantee approval.
- Understand the balance shown
- Review your overall situation
- Prepare the information needed
- Evaluate the options that may apply
- Organize the corresponding request
- Follow up when appropriate
Offer in Compromise: an option to evaluate, not a promise
An Offer in Compromise is one possible IRS collection resolution path that may allow certain eligible taxpayers to propose resolving a tax debt for less than the full balance.
- Not every taxpayer qualifies.
- It should not be presented as an automatic solution.
- It requires a detailed review of the financial situation and the facts.
- The IRS is the one that determines whether to accept the proposal.
Alemay Business can review the case, help organize the information and coordinate the involvement of the appropriate authorized professional when applicable.
Can penalties be removed?
In certain cases there may be mechanisms to request relief or a reduction of certain penalties, depending on the facts and the applicable rules.
Alemay Business can review your case and evaluate whether there is an alternative worth considering. We do not promise to remove penalties and we do not state that a taxpayer automatically qualifies for relief.
Liens, levies and collection matters require careful attention
Generally speaking, a lien is a claim by the IRS against a taxpayer's property, while a levy involves a collection action against certain assets or income. A lien and a levy are different collection matters and should be reviewed based on the specific IRS action and account status.
Alemay Business can take on the case, organize it, design the strategy and coordinate the appropriate professional when applicable. We do not promise to release a levy or remove a lien.
Transcripts can help reconstruct what happened
IRS transcripts may provide useful information about:
- Returns on record
- Account activity
- Information reported by third parties
- Balances on record
- Certain transactions or adjustments
Transcripts do not always contain all the information needed, so they are usually combined with additional documentation. When Alemay Business needs to access IRS information directly on behalf of a taxpayer, the corresponding authorization is required.
We assist with IRS matters involving both individuals and businesses
Individuals
- IRS notices and letters
- Outstanding balances
- Unfiled tax returns
- Amended returns
- Payment options
- Audits and reviews
- Collection issues
- Other IRS-related problems
Businesses
- Business notices
- Audits and reviews
- Missing returns
- Payroll tax matters when applicable
- Problems stemming from accounting records
- Outstanding balances
- Documentation and evidence
- Collection issues
- Other tax matters of the business
What our service can include
The scope is defined after reviewing the case. None of these items is automatically included in every case.
- Initial consultation
- Notice review
- Analysis of the issue
- Review of documentation
- Review of available transcripts
- Identification of the periods involved
- Preparation of delinquent returns
- Preparation of amended returns
- Reconstruction of information
- Bookkeeping when appropriate
- Organization of evidence
- Preparation of the case file
- Review of balances
- Guidance on payment options
- Analysis of possible alternatives
- Strategic preparation
- Coordination with an authorized professional
- Audit assistance
- Case follow-up
What we do and what we do not promise
What we can do
- Analyze the situation
- Organize the information
- Prepare what is needed
- Correct what should be corrected
- Explain what is happening
- Develop a strategy
- Help you respond
- Coordinate the process
- Follow up
- Involve the appropriate authorized professional when needed
What we do not promise
- Eliminate a tax debt
- Remove penalties
- Obtain an Offer in Compromise
- Automatically stop collection activity
- Automatically release a levy
- Automatically remove a lien
- Win an audit
- Obtain a refund
- Achieve a specific outcome
- Achieve a particular reduction
- Resolve every case the same way
Our process
A clear order of work, with communication at every stage. Timing depends on the type of matter and on the IRS's own processes.
We understand the issue
We review what you received and what is happening with your tax situation.
We reconstruct the situation
We review notices, returns, documentation, accounting records and relevant background information.
We prepare the strategy
We define what should be done, in what order and which professionals may need to be involved.
We prepare and coordinate
We prepare documents and returns; when formal representation is required, we coordinate the corresponding authorized professional.
Follow-up
We follow up on the next steps through the completion of the agreed scope of work.
Documents we may need
It depends on the case. This list is a general reference to help you prepare for your consultation.
- The complete IRS letter or notice
- Prior-year tax returns
- Forms W-2
- Forms 1099
- Income documentation
- Expense documentation
- Bank statements
- Business records
- Bookkeeping available
- Transcripts available
- Prior correspondence with the IRS
- Proof of payments made
- Identification documents when applicable
- Documents related to the specific matter
Protect your information. Do not send your SSN, full bank details or sensitive tax documents through WhatsApp, public forms or other unauthorized channels. We will let you know the appropriate channel whenever confidential documentation is needed.
IRS letters may include important dates
Keep the complete notice, including every page, and seek help with enough time to review what is being requested. Deadlines and requirements vary depending on the type of communication and on the case.
Why Alemay Business?
A full review of the issue
We review the entire matter — notices, periods, returns and accounting records — before proposing a path forward.
Personal and business tax returns
We can prepare individual and business returns when the case requires it.
Bookkeeping and reconstruction
We can reconstruct and organize financial information when records are incomplete.
Strategy and document organization
We prepare the case file and define the order in which things should be addressed based on the facts.
Professional coordination
When the case requires formal representation, we coordinate the appropriate authorized professional.
Bilingual service
We work with you in English or Spanish throughout the entire process.
A physical office in Miami
9380 SW 72 ST, Suite 230B, Miami, FL 33173. We also serve clients virtually when appropriate.
Individuals and businesses
We assist with IRS matters involving both individual taxpayers and businesses.
Ale app and ongoing support
Ale app brings you information, resources and scheduling while we support you through the process.
A coordinated team behind your IRS matter
Your case is reviewed, organized, prepared and followed up on by real people who explain what they see and answer your questions in English or Spanish, with in-person service available at our Miami office. When a case needs an additional specialty, we coordinate the appropriate professional within our partner network.
Stay connected with Alemay through Ale app
Ale app is the digital platform of Alemay Business. From your phone, you can explore our services, access helpful resources, schedule appointments and stay connected with Alemay Business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related services
Personal Tax Preparation
Preparation of individual returns, including prior years when appropriate.
View serviceBusiness Tax Preparation
Returns for LLCs, corporations and partnerships, based on the structure of the business.
View serviceBookkeeping
Organized accounting and reconstruction of records when the case requires it.
View serviceDealing with an IRS issue?
Schedule a consultation and let's review the notice, account or tax issue so we can identify the next steps that may make sense for your situation.
Every tax matter depends on its own facts, tax periods, documentation and circumstances, and on applicable IRS rules. Alemay Business does not guarantee specific outcomes, a reduction of tax debt, the removal of penalties, acceptance of an Offer in Compromise, approval of a payment plan, or a favorable result in audits or other proceedings. When a matter requires formal representation before the IRS, Alemay Business coordinates the involvement of an appropriately authorized professional based on the needs of the case.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute individualized tax or legal advice.
Alemay Business · 9380 SW 72 ST, Suite 230B, Miami, FL 33173 · 305-300-2346 · business@alemaybusiness.com · Fax 305-402-0706