The Biggest Mistake Taxpayers Make
April 24, 2023
Avoiding Paying Back Taxes
One of the biggest mistakes taxpayers make is failing to pay their back taxes. This is a common problem for many Americans, especially those who are self-employed or have multiple sources of income. When you owe back taxes, it can be tempting to ignore the problem and hope it goes away, but this is not a good strategy and will just make the situation worse.
In this blog post, we will discuss the consequences of avoiding paying back taxes and what you can do to resolve the issue.
Consequences of Avoiding Paying Back Taxes
There are several consequences of avoiding paying back taxes. The first and most obvious consequence is that you will incur interest and penalties on the amount you owe. The longer you wait to pay, the more interest and penalties you will accumulate, making it more difficult to pay off your debt.
In addition, the IRS can impose liens and levies on your property, including your wages, your home, car, and bank accounts. This can make getting credit, selling your property, or accessing your funds extremely difficult.
Another consequence of owing the IRS is that it may damage your credit score, making it harder to get approved for loans, credit cards, and other financial products.
How to Resolve Back Tax Issues
If you owe back taxes, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the situation will become. Here are some steps you can take to resolve your back tax issues:
Seek professional help
Do not contact the IRS alone. That’s like going to court without a lawyer. In some cases, you can reduce the amount you owe to the IRS but only a tax resolution professional can help walk you through the maze of dealing with the IRS. If you need help with how to proceed or need help negotiating with the IRS, consider seeking professional help from a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or an attorney who is also a tax resolution expert.
When you are working with a tax resolution specialist firm like ours, we can help you as there are a number of options to resolve your back taxes. The good news is the IRS has several debt settlement options including their Fresh Start Initiative and is generally willing to settle with taxpayers who can prove that don't have the funds to pay the IRS in full.
If you owe back taxes, it is essential to take action as soon as possible to resolve the issue. The IRS offers payment plans and other options for taxpayers who are unable to pay their full tax debt. By working with a tax resolution specialist, you can resolve your back tax issues and avoid further problems in the future.
If you need an expert tax resolution professional who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm
and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem.

Under the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), qualified tips are any cash tip received by an individual with a valid Social Security number and in an occupation that 'customarily and regularly' received tips on or before Dec. 31, 2024. They include tips that are paid in cash or charged. The Treasury Department has not yet released the “official” list of occupations that qualify for the No Tax on Tips Regulations. It is expected, though, that the job titles will include but not be limited to those listed below: 1) Food & Beverage : Bartenders, Wait Staff, Servers, Chefs, and Cooks 2) Entertainment: Gambling Dealers, Change Persons, Booth Cashiers, Dancers, Musicians, Singers, Entertainers, and Other Performers 3) Personal Services: Personal Care Workers, Private Event Planners, Photographers, Videographers, Event Officiants, Pet Caretakers, Tutors, Nannies, and Babysitters. 4) Personal Appearance & Wellness: Skincare Specialists, Massage T herapists, Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmetologists, Manicurists, Exercise Trainers, and Group Fitness Instructors. 5) Recreation : Golf Caddies, and Tour & Travel Guides. 6) Transportation : Ride Share, Taxi, and Food Delivery, Drivers, Porters, and Sky Caps. The final list is expected to be issued in October, 2025. Some implications of the No Tax on Tips Regulations. First , the deduction is for qualified tips of up to $25,000 per year regardless of how many employers you have during the year. The tax savings will be in the form of a tax deduction when you file your Federal tax return the following year. Second , qualified tips must be reported to the individual on one of three forms to be eligible for the deduction; a) Form W-2; b) Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation; or c) Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions. Third , it only applies to Federal income taxes. It does not include State, Local, Social Security or Medicare taxes. Finally, the maximum annual deduction of $25,000 for single filers and $25,000 each for joint or married filing separately filers phases out by $100 for each $1,000 for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers). How Advantage Tax Relief Can Assist You At Advantage Tax Relief, based in Itasca, IL, we have over a decade of experience helping individuals and businesses resolve tax issues. Our team specializes in offering personalized tax relief and tax resolution solutions tailored to your unique needs. We will work with you to assess your situation and explore your options, whether it’s an Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, or other strategies. Our experience allows us to identify the best path forward to ease your tax burden and guide you toward financial freedom. If you're facing tax debt, don't wait. Advantage Tax Relief is here to assist you with effective, professional help. Call Advantage Tax Relief today at 630-773-3200 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your tax issues.

First, working overtime does not mean you are getting an automatic increase in your take-home pay because it is not going to be taxed. That is not what is going to happen. The tax savings will be in the form of a tax deduction when you file your Federal tax return the following year. There will be no immediate impact. Second, it only applies for Federal income taxes. It does not include State, Social Security or Medicare taxes. Third, it also only applies to the overtime premium and within certain deduction and wage limits. You can only deduct the pay that exceeds your regular rate of pay. The 'half' portion of 'time-and-a-half' compensation. For example, say you make $20 per hour and work 5 hours of overtime that week at time-and-a-half. The deduction would the Federal tax on $50 of premium pay. ($20 divided by 2 times 5 hours) Finally, the maximum annual deduction is $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for joint filers. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers).
Share On: