Creative Settlements

• A restaurant owner in Lee, Massachusetts hired Clear Creek to help them manage two business liabilities of over $35,000 for outstanding Withholding Tax, Sales and Unemployment Tax due to the State of Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service. Our client's goal was to sell their business, transfer the assets to the new owner, and obtain a Certificate of Discharge for all existing liens. The Associate assigned to the case discovered that there were several missing returns with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and additionally, the State of Massachusetts had two different accounts for the business. A great deal of the liability was due to assessed balances assigned to the old business account number, thus reflecting a higher balance than what was actually due. The Associate was able to negotiate with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment to close out the old account and facilitate full payment of the liability under the correct business account number. Moving forward, the Associate was able to help our client obtain a liquor license with the Massachusetts Alcohol Beverage and Control Commission, which was a precondition to the terms of the agreement to sell the business. Our client was thrilled to learn that Clear Creek not only resolved the collections cases with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Massachusetts, but also corrected the assessed liabilities that were associated with an old account number. Ultimately, this was the determining factor in selling the business to the new owner. Once the business was sold, the Associate negotiated a Certificate of Good Standing with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and a Certificate of Discharge with the Internal Revenue Service. The business has now been transferred to the new owner free of any tax liens. Our client no longer has open collections cases with either the State of Massachusetts Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Service and the business has been successfully sold to a new owner.
• A couple in Denton, Texas hired Clear Creek to manage $574,000 in Internal Revenue Service estate tax liabilities stemming from an audit. Our clients owed this liability due to their position as trustees of the estate of their deceased daughter. At the time our clients hired our firm, they were frantic and worried, due to another firm's request for additional money that had thus far indebted them by $35,000 and offered no results. The Associate assigned to the case immediately put together an audit reconsideration request to address discrepancies in the calculations of the estate tax. After one year of negotiations, the IRS advised the Associate that our client had previously signed a statement agreeing to the full amount of taxes owed several years prior to the pending negotiations. Our client was mentally incapacitated and undergoing outpatient treatments due to a brain injury at the time. The IRS then transferred the case to the Department of Justice for further enforcement action. The Associate began a series of intense phone conferences to negotiate a settlement on the total liability owed. After several months, the Associate successfully secured an Offer in Compromise totaling $110,000, effectively saving our client over $450,000. Due to a specified payment arrangement and the sale of a rental property, our client will fully satisfy the Offer within one year, and all judgments and liens will be released in June 2011.
• An individual in Erie, Pennsylvania hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $55,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due individual income taxes. The Associate assigned to this case discovered that our client had not been making her estimated tax payments towards the alimony income she was receiving since 2000. The Associate continually worked with our client to produce an accurate financial statement along with all supporting documents. He also filed a Collection Due Process Appeal to keep our client protected while she gathered the necessary funds to get current and compliant and work toward a resolution. When our client's ex-husband abruptly stopped making the requisite alimony payments to our client, the Associate promptly submitted a request for 'Currently Non-Collectable Status' as our client no longer received enough income to make payments toward the outstanding debt. With the aid of Taxpayer Advocate, the Associate successfully negotiated a 'non-collectable status' and our client is now protected from enforcement action and does not need to make any monthly payments to the IRS.
• A health care provider in Chicago, Illinois hired Clear Creek to manage a withholding tax liability to the Internal Revenue Service of over $260,000. When our client hired our firm, they had been coerced by their Revenue Officer into an unrealistic payment plan of $25,000 per month. The Associate assigned to the case immediately entered into negotiations with the Revenue Officer to reduce the Agreement. When our client could not make this payment, the Associate promptly filed an appeal to protect our client from enforcement action. While our appeal was being reviewed, the Associate analyzed our client's financial status and determined that there was in fact no ability to satisfy the liability on a monthly basis. He engaged in extensive negotiations with the Appeals Officer assigned, and successfully convinced the IRS to place our client into Non-Collectable Status. No further monthly payments are required, and the burden of this monthly debt has been eliminated.
• An individual in Rifle, Colorado, hired Clear Creek to resolve an outstanding tax liability of $12,000 owed to the State of California for previously unpaid income taxes. Our client needed this issue resolved as quickly as possible because he wanted to purchase a home and needed to release the lien that had been filed by the state. The Associate assigned to this case discovered that the lien had already expired and could not be collected upon by the state even though it remained on record. The Associate attempted to convince the state that the lien should be released, but they refused on the grounds of the previously owed liability. The Associate was then able to explain to the lending bank for our client's home that while the lien was in place, it had long since expired. The lending bank accepted the expired lien and our client was able to acquire the financing he needed in order to close on the purchase of his first home without having to make a single payment towards the previously owed liability to the State of California.
• A landscaping company in Noblesville, Indiana hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $200,000 owed to the State for past due sales and withholding taxes. Upon obtaining an accurate liability update with the State, it was discovered that our client actually owed approximately $425,000 based upon substitute returns, and was under threat of arrest by the State. Clear Creek notified our client of the assessed balance due and advised him to file all returns that were assessed by the State on the client's behalf. Clear Creek worked with the state and held them at bay for over two years while our client filed all of the missing returns. Once all returns had been filed, our client’s liability was correctly assessed in the amount of $5,669.23, saving our client approximately $419,000. Our client is now set up on a formal Installment Agreement with the State for $338 per month which will resolve all liabilities owed within 12 months.
• A funeral home in Cincinnati, Ohio hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $77,000 owed to the State of Ohio for past due Sales and Use, Withholding, and Commercial Activity tax. Upon obtaining a liability update for all the taxes owed, it was discovered that substitute returns assessed by the State made up a majority of the liabilities. Our client was notified of the substitute returns assessed and quickly filed the correct returns reducing the total liabilities to approximately $5,000. Clear Creek discovered a large credit on our client's commercial activity tax account and successfully negotiated to have all liabilities paid off with the credit and then a refund issued to our client. Clear Creek's quick action on this case got our client back in good standing with the State of Ohio and a refund in the amount of $7,260.17.
• A financial advisor in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts hired Clear Creek to manage liabilities of $153,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service and $22,000 owed to the State for past due taxes. Our client had hired tax consulting firms in the past; however each firm produced no results for his nerves or his liability. Our client maintained that $11,000 of his $22,000 balance owed to the state of Massachusetts was during a year when he resided in Florida and not in Massachusetts. Many before Clear Creek had tried to negotiate with the state of Massachusetts, but had not obtained any results. The Associate assigned to the case was able to have the entire $11,000 Massachusetts balance for 2005 abated on behalf of the client. As far as the Internal Revenue Service case, our client worried that a reasonable agreement would not be reached with the Internal Revenue Service. Clear Creek, through numerous negotiations with Automated Collections System and a Revenue Officer who was later assigned, was able to negotiate to have all liabilities placed in Status 53, 'Currently Non-Collectible Status.' In addition to the Status 53 placement, the Associate was able to have the Revenue Officer expedite the Collections Statute Expiration Date on the balances for 1997 and 1998 resulting in our client no longer being liable for a total of $44,080.22 of his liability. Our client can finally relax, focus on his career, and for the first time in twelve years be free of the daily stress associated with the Internal Revenue Service constantly threatening and harassing him.
• A couple in Eagle Point, Oregon hired Clear Creek to resolve an Internal Revenue Service liability of approximately $7,000. They had not filed any personal tax returns for the previous six years. Since our clients were not filing the necessary returns, the Internal Revenue Service started to file substitute returns for them causing their balance to increase to approximately $82,000. The Associate assigned to the case was able to secure a 'Hold of Enforced Collection Action' which allowed them sufficient time to file the past due returns. Because the husband had been given limited amount of work due to the decline in the economy, and his wife was only working part-time, they did not have funds to pay an accountant. Therefore, we continued to secure 'Holds' with the Internal Revenue Service. Once their rental properties started to make money they were able file their returns. The Associate assigned to the case was able to negotiate the balance down to $26,000, and formalized an affordable Installment Agreement for $415 per month.
• A individual in Plano, Texas hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $60,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due income taxes. Initially, our client was in a position to address the outstanding liability with a payment plan, however, after the Associate was able to negotiate the acceptance of an Installment Agreement, he lost his job. Our client was able to obtain other employment, but his new job paid substantially less then what he had previously been earning. In fact, our client was not able to meet his necessary living expenses. Based on this development, the Associate was able to move the case forward by requesting that the Internal Revenue Service place this account into a 'currently non-collectible status' until our client is more financially stable. The 'currently non-collectible' request was submitted, however, the Internal Revenue Service lost the request and automatically reinstated the Installment Agreement into which our client had previously entered. The Associate continue to negotiate with the Internal Revenue Service, resubmitted the request several times and after several long months was able to have the request approved. During the entire process the Associate maintained protection for our client against enforced collections. In addition, our client did not have to submit payments to the Internal Revenue Service even though the Internal Revenue Service maintained its position that our client had agreed to the Installment Agreement.
• A transportation systems company in Framingham, Massachusetts hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $100,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due withholding taxes. The Associate assigned to the case continued to request 'Holds on Enforced Collection' to allow our client to become current and compliant with their tax obligations. Eventually, due to repeated non-compliance, the Internal Revenue Service moved forward with levy action. Because of this enforcement action taking place and the fact that the business could not remain current and compliant, we consulted with our client on the idea of closing the business and resolving the personally assessed liability with a different strategy. At the time of the company's closure, the amount of liability was approximately $176,000. The total amount of Trust Fund liability that was assessed to our client was approximately $51,000. This alternate strategy has already saved our client $125,000 in liability and we are proceeding with an Offer in Compromise to settle the remaining balance.
• A bulk printing corporation in Sacramento, California hired Clear Creek to resolve its significant outstanding business liabilities with the Internal Revenue Service. The Associate assigned to this case devised a strategy whereby the corporation could be restructured, thus absolving the business of the crippling tax liability and enabling it to reinitiate business with a clean slate as a separate entity. Due to the complexity of the process, the Associate negotiated for a six month 'Stay of Enforced Collection' by the Internal Revenue Service through the implementation of a non-collectible status and subsequently an additional six months through a graduated Installment Agreement whereby small payments could be made to keep the Internal Revenue Service at bay while the business accounts and assets were properly wrapped up. The Associate then submitted an Application for Certificate of Discharge to the Internal Revenue Service to discharge the tax liens from the business assets, which was initially rejected. The Associate revamped the Application and was ultimately able to secure a Discharge of all liens on the corporation's assets for nearly $3,000 less than the originally submitted Application requested. Currently, our client is in a viable Installment Agreement for legitimate taxes assessed to his personal account and has opened a new business free and clear of the former corporation’s liability. Upwards of $60,000 in savings will be realized upon issuance of the already approved Certificate of Discharge. Furthermore, the stigma caused by the poor history of compliance that had wracked the former corporation is a distant memory for both our client and his newly prospering business.
• An electrician in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hired Clear Creek to assist in alleviating a liability of $20,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due income taxes. The Associate assigned to this case discovered that the IRS had filed substitute returns for our client, resulting in a liability that was greatly inflated from the actual amount owed. The Associate reviewed the amount of the substitute returns and assisted our client in preparing their previously missing tax returns; an adjustment that resulted in an initial savings in excess of $5,000, or more than 25% the entire liability owed.
• An unemployed individual in Ashville, North Carolina, hired Clear Creek to assist in alleviating a liability of $9,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due income taxes. The Associate assigned to this case determined that a non-collectible status request would allow our client to focus on catching up with his utility bills and expenses while being free of any tax liability burden for two years. The Associate reviewed the financial information from our client in order to ensure that the non-collectible status would be accepted, thereby allowing our client to ultimately resolve the liability with their yearly refund checks rather than needing to secure a formal agreement.
• A lawn care provider in South Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage a Withholding and Income tax liability owed to the Internal Revenue Service approximating $500,000. The Revenue Officer assigned to the case was initially very aggressive and immediately began to attempt to collect the full balance due through levy action. The Associate assigned to the case immediately filed the necessary Appeals to prevent the proposed enforced collections to ensure that our client was protected and that no levy action would take place. The Associate then drafted a formal proposal for our client to enter into an Installment Agreement of $500 per month and submitted it to the Revenue Officer. The Proposal was initially rejected, and the Revenue Officer demanded that the balance be paid in full. The Associate did not accept this and continued to aggressively negotiate the Proposal. After several more rounds of negotiations, the Associate successfully negotiated the acceptance of the Installment Agreement. Based on this Agreement, our client will pay $500 per month for the next seven years, or a total of $42,000. After his final payment, the remaining liability of $458,000 will be fully discharged, and our client will walk away free and clear of his remaining liability to the Internal Revenue Service.
• A property management company in Davie, Florida hired Clear Creek to resolve a $5,000 state tax liability. Upon initial research, the Associate assigned to the case found that the taxes due were for Documentary Stamp Tax from a real estate transaction involving the owner and the business. After doing research online regarding the tax balance and the documentation of the payments from the original transaction to the owner, the Associate determined that the tax had already been paid and the State had wrongfully assessed the balance to our client. The Associate then contacted the State Revenue Agent and requested information as to how the State assessed the Documentary Stamp Tax. After several conversations with the State, the Revenue Agent agreed that the State had made a mistake and removed the assessed balance as well as the existing lien.
• A funeral home company in Cincinnati, Ohio hired Clear Creek to manage two state tax liabilities in the amount of $77,000 for commercial obligations, and sales and use taxes. It was quickly uncovered that this balance was mostly from assessed liabilities on missing returns. While Clear Creek prevented the state from seizing our client's assets, our client quickly filed all the missing returns. Once these returns were filed, Clear Creek negotiated to have the new lower balances applied to our client instead of the former assessed amounts, and to have a credit on the company's commercial activity tax account applied to all periods with liability. Within three months of hiring our firm, our client received a refund for nearly $8,000 from the State.
• An automotive repair business in Sterling, Virginia hired Clear Creek to manage a State Tax liability of $107,000 for past due sales tax. The business eventually shut down, but the State assessed the owner of the business personally with the full liability. The owner of the business did not have the ability to fully pay the liability owed to the State and was in dire need of an alternate resolution. The Associate assigned to this case determined that our client qualified for an Offer In Compromise. An Offer was submitted to the State and we successfully negotiated a settlement of approximately $46,000 on the $107,000 liability. Furthermore, instead of the State demanding that our client pay the full $46,000 upon acceptance, we were able to set up a $500 per month payment plan in order to satisfy the settlement of $46,000. Overall, we saved our client $61,000 plus accrued interest on his State of Virginia liability.
• An excavating company in Altoona, Pennsylvania hired Clear Creek Consulting to manage a liability of $89,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for outstanding Withholding Taxes. The Associate assigned to this case had noticed that the Trust Fund liability had already been assessed by the assigned Revenue Officer and was paid in full through personal lending, as the initially assessed business liability was over $200,000 before the Installment Agreement was granted. Because the main cause of the liability was for withholding tax, our client was advised to use a staffing service in order to keep costs down and generate more income. Our client entered into a payment plan for the business liability of $2,500 per month. During the course of preparing the abatement request, our client fell out of compliance due to a payment being received late on the Installment Agreement which caused default and necessitated reinstatement of the Installment Agreement. However, our client had realized near the end of 2009 that the company was not going to again become profitable any time soon due to a significant downturn in the local economy coupled with the quickly diminishing construction industry in their area. After some lengthy discussion, the Associate noted that our client had another sole proprietorship that was not active and could still be used, and that the equipment used by our client was owed by the client personally, so there were no business assets to liquidate. Shortly after, our client closed their doors permanently, but the Revenue Officer assigned to the case continued to insist that the company was still operating and that there would still need to be a Trust Fund assessment. After months of arguing with the Revenue Officer and continuing to prove that the business was closed and did not accrue any new liability, she finally closed the case on her side, stating that she finally did see that the Trust Fund was paid, and acknowledged that the business was closed. This action allowed our client to walk away from approximately $90,000 of liability due for the business.
• A small business owner in Hortonville, Wisconsin hired Clear Creek to manage two business liabilities of over $30,000 for outstanding Withholding Tax and Sales Tax due to the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The Associate assigned to the case discovered that there were several missing returns for 2008 and 2009. A great deal of the liability was due to assessed balances assigned to the business by the Department of Revenue, thus reflecting a higher balance than what was actually due. The Associate was able to negotiate the release of a wage garnishment for the owner of the businesses, and was able to negotiate a hold on future enforced collection action by the State Revenue Agent assigned to the business cases. Moving forward, the Associate was then able to assist our client in filing the missing returns, and was also able to negotiate with the State Revenue Agent to correct the taxpayer's filing status for 2008 and 2009. The filing adjustments have been made and the missing returns have subsequently been filed. Our client was thrilled to find out that Clear Creek not only resolved the collections cases for both businesses, but also corrected the assessed liabilities, which resulted in a refund to our client as opposed to a balance due. Our client is now in good standing with the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue and currently has no balances due for either business.
• A couple in Westbury, New York hired Clear Creek to resolve a liability of approximately $211,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due Individual Income Tax. The Associate assigned to the case discovered that the Collection Statute of limitations was scheduled to run at the end of 2009. Clear Creek successfully negotiated to keep the entire balance in Status 53, 'Currently Non-Collectible Status,' preventing all collection activity against our clients. Clear Creek then monitored the account until the expiration of the Collection Statute, at which time the entire liability was removed due to the passage of time, and all tax liens were released. This strategy and work by Clear Creek resulted in savings to the client of approximately $211,000. The taxpayers now owe no money to the Internal Revenue Service and are completely free of tax liens.
• A defunct photography studio in Remsen, Iowa owing $11,000 in liabilities to the State for past due sales tax hired Clear Creek to manage its tax issue before personal assessments were made. After a careful review of the liability, the Associate determined that the entire balance was in connection with Estimated Tax Returns. The Associate assigned to the case was able to negotiate a full release of all sales tax liability once all returns were filed. Our client then came to us to deal with a $7,000 Withholding Tax liability with the Internal Revenue Service. Because the business was defunct, the Associate negotiated a payment of $2,700 to settle the debt. This equaled the total value of the remaining assets, and was accomplished by filing an informal Certificate of Discharge. Our request was accepted, and in total, we saved our client nearly $16,000!
• An individual taxpayer and restaurant owner in Douglas, Arizona hired Clear Creek to manage both a business and personal liability owed to the Internal Revenue Service totaling over $145,000. The restaurant was no longer a viable business and Clear Creek helped our client successfully close the business and abate over $20,000 in penalties. The Associate assigned to the case resolved the remaining personal liability of over $110,000 by submitting two Offers in Compromise proposals for both the primary taxpayer and his wife, who was also personally assessed a portion of the business liability. The Internal Revenue Service agreed to settle the outstanding liability of over $110,000 by accepting both of Clear Creek's Offers in Compromise for $10,162.76 each. Our clients will pay $87.61 each for the next 116 months to completely resolve their outstanding Internal Revenue Service liability resulting in a combined savings of over $89,000.
• An individual in Winter Park, Florida hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $10,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. In our first contact with the Internal Revenue Service, the Associate assigned to the case discovered that our client owed more than double what was originally conveyed to our firm. With a liability of $22,000 and multiple outstanding returns, the Associate worked closely with our client to acquire all documentation necessary to prepare the outstanding returns. Clear Creek was able to monitor the account while more than $14,000 of the debt was eliminated due to expired collection statute dates. The remaining debt was a figure much higher than what was actually owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Through the filing of original returns, the debt was lowered to a much more manageable figure. Clear Creek was then able to release a wage garnishment that had been issued by the Internal Revenue Service that placed the client in a severe financial hardship. The client is now paying on an affordable Installment Agreement.
• A retiring chiropractor in Spokane Valley, Washington hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $140,000 owed to the IRS for past due Withholding Taxes. The Associate assigned to this case quickly uncovered that our client actually owed $165,000 through his business, and over $230,000 through his personal account (some of which had been assessed as a result of the business). While our client was planning on selling the entire business, the Associate convinced him to shut down the corporation and sell the assets, including the book of current clients. In closing the business, the Associate was able to negotiate the release of all business liabilities not already assessed personally. The Associate then began to work on an Offer in Compromise for the personal liability. Our client stated that he was willing and able to pay up to $70,000 to settle the liability. After going carefully through all of the financial documents and working out the lowest possible offer, the Associate was able to negotiate a final Offer in Compromise of only $35,000. Overall, Clear Creek has saved our client over $345,000!
• An individual in Tualatin, Oregon, hired Clear Creek to resolve a $28,000 tax liability with the Internal Revenue Service. The Associate assigned to the case negotiated and maintained a 'Hold Against Enforced Collection' action while our client retrieved all old records to file all income tax returns from 2004 to 2009. Through the diligent work of Clear Creek and the cooperation of our client, the Associate was able to reduce the tax liability once the returns were properly filed, resulting in a refund for our client.
• The owner of a mobile cleaning service in North Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage multiple liabilities for personal and business taxes owed to the IRS. The Associate assigned to this case was able to identify the wrongful assessment of liabilities to our client's personal account which should have been assessed to the corporation. The Associate then submitted an 'Audit Reconsideration Request' on behalf of our client based on the erroneous assessment of the tax. The IRS recently confirmed that the period in dispute had been examined and adjusted, and all of the liability was removed, along with all of the penalties and associated interest, effectively reducing the total liability from $34,000 to $2,000.
• An individual in West Chester, Ohio hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $170,000 in Trust Fund taxes owed to the IRS. The Associate negotiated many 'Stays of Enforced Collections' and filed multiple Appeals for our client in order to protect our client because her financial condition continued to worsen. The Associate negotiated the placement of our client into a 'Currently Non-Collectable' status which in effect means that NO money will be paid to the IRS, and all the liabilities will be discharged at the end of the collection statute.
• A bar in Brooklyn, New York hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $56,000 owed to the State for a Workers Compensation Board Penalty for failure to produce employer records. The Associate filed a timely Request for Review in response to a Notice of Penalty, challenging the assessment of the Penalty. Thereafter, the Associate provided the necessary employer records, tax returns, and information to show that the penalty should be removed. After the Associate produced necessary information and conducted negotiations with New York Workers' Compensation Board, our client received a notice stating that the entire penalty of $56,000 had been removed from his account, and he now owes nothing to the state of New York. Clear Creek's work on behalf of our client resulted in savings of $56,000.
• A restaurant in Middlefield, Ohio hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $10,000 owed for past due employment taxes. The Associate assigned to this case also uncovered an additional $32,000 of liability owed to the IRS which also needed to be formally resolved. The Associate assigned to the case proceeded to an Appeals Hearing after attempting to work with a Revenue Officer who was less than amicable to our client. Upon discussing this case with the Appeals Officer, we have recently been able to place our client in 'Non-Collectable Status' to settle the entire $42,000 liability.
• In January 2010, an individual in Naples, Florida hired Clear Creek to assist in resolving his outstanding 2001 individual income tax liability. The IRS had filed a substitute return for our client resulting in a balance of approximately $22,000. We informed our client that this return could be amended, and he promptly worked with an accountant to prepare and file this return. During this time, our client also supplied verifiable financial documents that allowed us to place his individual income tax account into a 'Non-Collectible Status.' Once our client's financial condition improves, we will pursue a formalized Installment Agreement or Offer in Compromise settlement to resolve the liability in full.
• An HVAC installation and maintenance company in Hilton Head, South Carolina hired Clear Creek to resolve liabilities with the State of South Carolina and the Internal Revenue Service. When our client initially hired Clear Creek, there was a zero balance for the 4th Quarter of 2007, but through an assessment by the Social Security Administration our client was assessed with an Additional Tax Assessment in the amount of $200,000 for W2 issues. We contacted the Regional Employer Services Liaison Office of the Social Security Administration to discuss the matter further. Upon contact with the RESL Office, they informed us that duplicate W2's had been filed for the account. Because there were multiple W2's filed without matching names and Social Security Numbers, the accounts were placed in a reconciliation area. These W2's were being reported against the account as 'duplicate offsets' and should have been taxes paid against them. Our representative at the Regional Services Liaison Office informed us that he will be manually removing the duplicate forms from the account to correct the tax. Furthermore, upon providing this information to the Revenue Officer, she informed us that there will be no additional Trust Fund tax assessed against our client for any remaining liability for the period after the corrections are made. We protected our client from an additional tax assessment of $200,000.
• An auto parts store in Nitro, West Virginia hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $21,922 owed to the IRS for past due withholding taxes. The Associate assigned to this case uncovered that this company's accountant had not been making tax deposits as required, and as a result, much of the liability was penalties and interest. The Associate made immediate contact with the Revenue Officer, and discussed the fact that the company is going through some serious corporate changes that may cause even further delay in obtaining enough profit for a payment plan, but that they may have the ability to start making payments consistently within one year. The Associate successfully negotiated Status 53 or 'Currently Not Collectible,' which the Revenue Officer had stated would be good for two years, not one year which is the norm - due to the taxpayer's unique circumstances.
• An individual in Sanford, Florida, hired Clear Creek to resolve approximately $99,000 of Federal Tax liabilities. The Associate assigned to the case was successful in maintaining 'Holds of Enforced Collection' for several months while gathering extensive financial information. Through a Collection Due Process Hearing, the Associate was able to negotiate a 'Currently Not Collectable Status' for our client based on his current financial position, saving our client over $99,000.
• An individual in Overland Park, Kansas hired Clear Creek to manage a personal liability of over $200,000 for past due Income Taxes. The Associate assigned to this case discovered that the IRS filed 'Substitute for Returns' for tax years 2004 and 2006 with the filing status as 'married filing separate' as opposed to 'married filing jointly' as our client had always done in the past. The Associate was able to negotiate with the IRS Examination Section in order to correct our client’s filing status for 2004 and 2006 despite the fact the 'Statute of Limitations' to make these adjustments had run. The filing status adjustments were made, resulting in a net savings to our client of over $44,000. The Associate was then able to conduct an Appeals Hearing where she successfully negotiated a resolution for the remaining outstanding liability.
• An individual in Julian, California hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $36,000 owed to the State and $55,000 to the IRS for past due Income Taxes. Our client wanted to dispute the amounts due, but had been the victim of the California wildfires and had lost their home and all usable records in the fire, so they accepted the Assessments. The Associate assigned to this case found that the actual amount due to the IRS had risen to $83,000 due to the accrual of interest on the principal balance and applicable penalties, and the State amount had risen to nearly $38,000. Our client elected to rebuild their home, however, they had been in a lengthy and difficult legal battle with the contractor who built their home. The debt to their attorney alone for these court costs was upwards of $90,000, and are still accruing, as the court cases with the building contractor are still ongoing. Due to the cost to have the home built and the legal battle, they would not be able to make any payments toward their tax liabilities. Liens were filed by the State and IRS, as well as the contractor who built their house, so additional lending was not an option. The Associate assigned to this case successfully negotiated 'Uncollectible Status' for the Internal Revenue Service balances and 'Hardship/Uncollectible Status' for the State balances, thereby eliminating the debt in both cases.
• A company providing residential care for elderly and disabled patients in Florence, South Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $80,000 owed to the IRS for past due Corporate Income and Withholding Taxes. The Associate assigned to this case immediately uncovered that the true liability was greater than $106,000. However, the Associate also recognized that the majority of the liability stemmed from two Corporate Income Tax Returns that had not been filed, and the IRS had made an assumption as to the amount owed. The Associate advised our client to file these returns as quickly as possible. Within two and a half weeks of the initial conversation, our client had filed the actual returns and the Revenue Officer had agreed to accept the amount on the newly filed returns. The liability has been reduced from over $106,000 to an estimated $15,000, and we are now in the process of setting up a payment plan on this amount. Once a payment plan has been established, we will work towards an abatement of penalties for further savings.
• A graphics company in Dallas, Texas hired Clear Creek to manage an estimated $50,000 owed to the IRS for past due Withholding Taxes. Upon initial contact with the IRS, Clear Creek discovered the business's actual liability was $214,350 due to a double-filing of the business's W-3 and W-2's for one particular tax year and past due taxes. A request was submitted to the CAWR Unit in Memphis to eliminate the duplication, and with the help of Taxpayer Advocate Service, $160,000 in liability was eliminated for our client.
• A non-profit business in Anchorage, Alaska hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $229,000 owed to the IRS for past due Employment Tax and Civil Penalties. The Associate discovered that almost $95,000 of the liability stemmed from a failure to file W-2's for one particular tax year. While clearing up the W-2 issue, the Revenue Officer assigned to the case became aggressive and levied our client. The Associate assigned to the case negotiated the acceptance of the missing W-2 forms which led to a refund of over $102,000 in levied funds to our client, and a corresponding decrease in the total liability owed to the IRS.
• A family run restaurant in Warren, Ohio hired Clear Creek to resolve a $13,500 liability owed to the IRS. With a history of non-compliance on their Federal Withholding taxes, it was difficult to get the taxpayer back into the good graces of the IRS. The Associate assigned to this case worked with a Revenue Officer who was more intent on issuing levies than resolving the liability. Through Clear Creek's efforts, we were able to negotiate Status 53 with the Revenue Officer, easing his reticence to work with us by working to get our client 'current and compliant'. Provided our client remains current and compliant, the liability to the Internal Revenue Service will be released in full when the collection statute expires.
• A couple in Vancouver, Washington hired Clear Creak to manage State tax liabilities for two small businesses that were forced into seizure. Previous employees of our client committed theft and embezzlement which left the businesses with a combined liability of $130,000 for past due sales taxes. The Associate assigned to the case negotiated an Offer in Compromise that was denied three previous times. The Associate discovered that our client was assessed with a liability that originally stemmed from the actions of the ex-partners. Our client wanted to refinance their home and satisfy the State's lien as well as an additional personal loan. The process was arduous but the State finally agreed to settle with our clients and allowed the release of the tax lien for only $41,471. This included only the Trust Fund portion of the tax, and the State waived the remaining penalties, interest, court fees, collections fees and other taxes. The Associate was also able to negotiate a release of the 'Hold' allowing for reinstatement of the business licenses for future use should they decide to reopen another business.
• A nursing home facility located in Sanford, North Carolina hired Clear Creek in November 2007 to manage a $1,000,000 liability owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Since hiring our firm, our client racked up another $550,000 as well. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated many 'Stays of Enforced Collections' to protect our client's assets while compiling requested financial documents to pursue an Installment Agreement. After many denials from the Revenue Officer, we prepared an In-Business Offer in Compromise that was submitted in February of 2009. After eight months of examination and negotiation, we received a counter-offer from the IRS for a long-term deferred In-Business Offer in Compromise in the amount of $675,068.82 to be paid within 120 months. Our client accepted this Offer resulting in a savings of approximately $874,000.
• A staffing company in Midland, Michigan hired Clear Creek to manage multiple Internal Revenue Service liabilities, and state issues due to our client's multiple businesses and account specific situations. Recently they brought up yet another business that they had started many years ago, that now had tax trouble as well. They were trying to sell the client list of one of their businesses to a 3rd party for $90,000. They contacted their Associate at Clear Creek to go over the newest business venture, and to request advice in regards to the sale of their client lists. Because of their liability they did not know if the liens would attach to the list, and put the buyers in a bind if the Internal Revenue Service was to come after them. The Associate was able to negotiate with the buyer's attorney and the client to come to a conclusion to add a clause in the contract so that the buyer would not be affected by the tax lien. The buyer reluctantly agreed, and Clear Creek's client was able to sell their client lists for the $90,000.
• A retired couple in Wakefield, Rhode Island hired Clear Creek to manage a combined state and federal tax liability of over $55,000 owed for past due income taxes. The IRS was taking collection action in the form of a wage and social security benefit garnishment while the state was on the verge of the same action. The Associate assigned to this case quickly submitted a proposal to the IRS to place our client into Status 53, or 'uncollectible status.' The IRS initially disagreed with this proposal, but after fierce negotiations the Associate was able to secure this status. The IRS has effectively written off the liability as uncollectible, and will not be taking any further collection action. Meanwhile, the Associate's team negotiated a much more affordable Installment Agreement with the state of only $100 per month. Overall, Clear Creek has protected our client from losing nearly their entire monthly income to garnishments by the State and Internal Revenue Service.
• An office worker in Overland Park, Kansas hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of approximately $25,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service for past due personal income taxes. The Associate assigned to this case worked with our client to prepare a Partial Pay Installment Agreement due to our client's low income. Just as the Associate was preparing to submit the payment proposal, our client was laid off from her job, and consequently unable to make any payments to the Internal Revenue Service on a regular basis. She took this opportunity to go back to school in order to find a better paying job in the currently competitive job market. This Associate obtained a 'Hold of Enforced Collections' for the duration of our client's classes, and for a few months following graduation so that she could settle in to a better financial position to make monthly payments. Throughout the duration of the 'hold', she was encouraged to make voluntary payments of anything she could afford to help offset the interest accruals. Shortly after graduation, ACS sent our client a 'Final Notice of Intent to Levy', which this Associate immediately appealed. Because our client had still not found full time employment by the time the hearing came around, the Appeals Board agreed that reasonable cause existed for the account to be place into uncollectible status, and put a 'Hold of Enforcement' in place for a minimum period of one year. This will allow our client to get on her feet again until such time she can enter into a formal Streamlined Installment Agreement to repay the liability.
• A Pentecostal Church located in Albany, Georgia hired Clear Creek to mange issues with both the IRS and the State of Georgia. Despite our client's permanent disability and fixed Social Security income, our client has been very cooperative throughout the resolution process which has included two business conversions, and a recent Trust Fund assessment. The Pastor and his friend were each assessed with over $14,000 in Trust Fund liability with the IRS once the entities had been closed. As previously mentioned, our client has a very low income, and they cannot currently support any type of payment plan so the Associate successfully negotiated a 'Currently Non-Collectible' status for our clients to settle this case.
• A sandwich shop located in Alexandria, Virginia, hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of approximately $20,000 and a State liability of over $63,000. We were able to get our client to file all missing returns with each entity, and were also able to get our client to become current and compliant with all other filings and payments. At this time the business only makes a small profit, and is unable to support a payment plan with each taxing authority. We have submitted an affordable Installment Agreement proposal to the State of Virginia which we feel confident about, and we were successful in having the balance due to the IRS placed in Status 53 as 'Currently Non-Collectible'.
• An individual taxpayer in Atlanta, Georgia hired Clear Creek to manage a personal Federal Income Tax liability of approximately $33,395. For our client, we prepared, submitted, and negotiated an individual Offer in Compromise. After several rounds of negotiations with the Offer in Compromise Examiner, we were informed that the IRS accepted our Offer in the amount of $3,480. The accepted Offer in Compromise has resulted in savings to our client of approximately $29,915!
• An individual with a tax liability stemming from a former business located in Basie, Virginia hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $775,000 owed to the IRS for past due Employment Taxes. The Associate assigned to the case successfully negotiated the placement of the case into 'Currently Not Collectable' status, thus allowing the individual several years without the requirement of making a single payment to the IRS liability. The Associate assigned to this case also uncovered that an employee with this company had failed to file the W-2 forms properly, and that due to this fact, over $100,000 in failure to file penalties had accrued to the business. The Associate submitted the missing W-2 forms, and negotiated the release of these penalties.
• A small portraits studio hired Clear Creek to manage an Iowa State tax issue of $14,000. When our client hired Clear Creek, the State of Iowa was currently garnishing her wages due to past due employer withholding and sales tax. Upon contact with the State, it became clear that much of the liability owed was due to substituted returns filed on quarters after our client had cancelled her Employer Withholding account with the State. Within a week of our representation, it was clear that our client did not owe these taxes, and with close work with the State Revenue Agent, the majority of the liability was released. Because the wage garnishments had been going towards this liability, the overpayment will be applied to the small remaining sales tax liability, and our client is now due a refund.
• A wholesale juice distributor company based in Hawaii hired Clear Creek to assist with a discrepancy between 941 Withholding Returns and W-2 forms filed with the IRS that had resulted in significant penalties being assessed to the company and the owner of the business. The Associate assigned to the case enlisted a Taxpayer Advocate to work directly with the IRS and with our leadership, we quickly cut through the red tape associated with this process. The issue with the returns and forms was identified and resolved with the assistance of our client's accountant. The Associate assigned to the case was able to promptly draft and submit a request for abatement of over $6,000 in penalties assessed at that time. This request was granted, penalties were abated in full and our client’s books are now in order.
• An Aviation company in Arkansas hired Clear Creek to manage a $190,000 liability owed to the IRS. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated many 'Stays of Enforced Collections' to protect our client's assets. Being that the IRS failed to assign a field agent to this case in a timely manner we advised our client to complete a Certificate of Discharge of Federal Tax Lien with our assistance and negotiations. With the new LLC open and operating, there have been no new tax accruals and the IRS has recognized both businesses as two separate entities through the approval of the Certificate of Discharge. In September of 2009, we were able to confirm that the Assessment Statute Expiration dates for 90% of the liability had expired, and therefore the IRS had lost their ability to assess the responsible officer personally for the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. There is still no field agent assigned to the case and a portion of the remaining Assessment Statute Expiration dates on the account will expire on April 15, 2010 with the remaining periods of liability expiring a year from that date. At this point the IRS has lost its ability to collect $181,998 from the business or from the officer personally.
• Clear Creek was hired to represent retirees living in Florida for a personal tax issue. Our client is a veteran who had in 2004 and 2005 taken disbursements from his retirement account. As he is disabled, this disbursement should have been tax-free. However, due to an IRS oversight, and with negligent accounting advice, the Withdrawal was classified as an Early Disbursement as opposed to a Disability Withdrawal. As a result, our client was assessed with roughly $14,000 in liabilities, including penalties and interest. Prior to our representation, our client set up an Installment Agreement for $550 per month, but was still being actively pursued by the IRS for a Social Security levy. By the time the threat against his Social Security wages was made, our client had been in and out of the hospital for some time due to his disabilities and contacted us to assist with this situation. This year an assessment was made against our client for an additional $1,750 for the same miscommunication on his retirement account disbursements. Through Clear Creek's efforts, we were able to correct the erroneous assessments and release the liability in full. Since the liability was released we were able to negotiate that all funds that were paid and levied be returned to our client which turned a $15,000 liability into a refund of over $2,000.
• A contracting service company in Oxford, Massachusetts hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $155,000 owed to the IRS. The Associate assigned to this case proposed a Partial Pay Installment Agreement in order to obtain a 'Hold on Enforcement' action and to avoid seizure of the business. After a few months of going back and forth with the Revenue Officer, he agreed to grant an Installment Agreement of $1,000 per month to satisfy the liability. In addition to the Partial Pay Installment Agreement, the Associate is now working on a Certificate of Discharge for a third party to buy the assets of this company. We will then get the Civil Penalty assessed and bring down the total liability by $77,000. Once the Civil Penalty is assessed, we will be filing a personal Offer in Compromise to settle the remaining balance.
• An individual in Crawfordsville, Georgia hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $42,100 owed to the IRS for Trust Fund Recovery Penalty taxes on a closed business. The Associate assigned to this case prepared, submitted, and negotiated an individual Offer in Compromise. After several rounds of negotiations with the Offer in Compromise Examiner, the IRS finally accepted our Offer in Compromise for the exact amount submitted, which was only $164.17! The taxpayer paid the Offer amount and has now settled his entire liability and all Federal Tax Liens are now released. The accepted Offer in Compromise has resulted in savings to our client of $41,935!
• A couple in Toney, Alabama hired Clear Creek in February to manage an IRS liability of $20,000. The husband had owned and operated his own business for many years, and all of the liability stemmed from his now defunct business. Because he was married, the liability was assessed to he and his wife jointly. The Associate assigned to the case put a 'Hold of Enforcement' on the case while our client came up with funds for a down payment to formalize an Installment Agreement. Tragically, the husband died in the midst of our representation. We continued to protect our client while she grieved, however, the IRS was adamant on collecting immediately on the estate. Unfortunately, there was no insurance, and now the liability was being assessed to his wife. Through strenuous negotiations with the Revenue Officer and Appeals Officer, we were able to claim an Innocent Spouse Request for the wife, and had that approved. This negotiation saved our client the full $20,000.
• A dentist located in Boulder, Colorado hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of more than $10,000 owed to the IRS associated with past due Federal Withholding Tax. At this point all communication between the Revenue Officer and our client had broken down due to fighting and miscommunication. The Revenue Officer had issued multiple levies and continued to levy our client's assets on a weekly basis. The Associate assigned to the case made contact with the Revenue Officer, and immediately began mediation in order to open lines of communication between our client and the Revenue Officer. The Associate then became aware that nearly $5,000 of the outstanding liability was assessed in error due to an erroneously created duplicate account. The Associate was able to gather the necessary documentation to substantiate our argument and was able to negotiate the release of multiple levies and previously issued liens on the business. Through negotiation with the Revenue Officer, the Associate was able to successfully argue for the case to be considered brought 'current' and 'paid in full' for only $2,345, saving our client nearly $5,000.
• A medical equipment salesman in Portage, Indiana hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $67,000 owed to the IRS for past due income taxes from his business. The Associate assigned to this case began to work with the Revenue Officer in order to keep enforced collections at bay. The Revenue Officer initially wanted to set our client up on an Installment Agreement for $1,200 per month while our client was willing to pay $500 to $1000 per month. After reviewing financial documents with our client, the Associate proposed and negotiated a monthly payment of $600 per month, which will not pay the entire liability before the statute of limitations runs enabling our client to stop paying on the liability once this statute expires. The Associate was able to save our client about $600 per month in payments, and many years' worth of accrued penalties and interest by pushing the Agreement past the statute of limitations.
• A landscaping company in South Hampton, Pennsylvania hired Clear Creek to manage a $7,978 sales tax liability with the State of Pennsylvania. Our client's liability was finally sent to a collection agency and he was getting harassing phone calls daily for a liability amount that has since doubled with interest and penalty accrual. He hired us to negotiate a 'pennies on the dollar' settlement since the collection agency would not lower the liability amount when he called. The Associate assigned to this case called the collection agency and they would not budge on the liability so we informed them that our client would pay today if we could get the liability reduced by 50%. The collection agency stated that they did not have the ability to negotiate a lower amount. We called back a week later and were able to negotiate with the collection agency by stating that if we cannot 'get pennies on the dollar', we were going to call the Department of Revenue for the State of Pennsylvania and work with them instead of the collection agency. A week later we received a letter from the collection agency stating that they would settle for $3,978. We called the agency back and negotiated this settlement amount to be paid over two monthly installments which resulted in a savings of $4,000!
• An individual in Crawfordsville, Georgia hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of approximately $42,000 owed to the IRS for Trust Fund Recovery Penalty taxes on a closed business. We prepared, submitted and negotiated an individual Offer in Compromise. At the time of this writing, the IRS has accepted our Offer in the revised amount of $5,059. This is still pending final acceptance, however discussions with the Offer Examiner confirm that as soon as our Client files an amended Offer in Compromise for $5,059, the Offer will be formally accepted, which will result in a savings to our client of approximately $37,000.
• A catering business in Springfield, New Jersey hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $32,000 owed to the State for past due Sales and Use taxes. The business owner had to shut down the business due to the economic downturn in December 2008 after receiving only two of the 25 scheduled corporate holiday parties she usually books for her customers on Wall Street. The Associate, who had a great working relationship with the assigned State Revenue Agent and his supervisor, submitted an Offer in Compromise for $21,000. The State Revenue Agent and the Compliancy Supervisor agreed to accept the $21,000 tax only portion of the Offer in Compromise. Our client is now paying that balance in monthly installments that will not accrue penalties and interest over the next 60 months.
• An individual hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $82,000 owed for past due income taxes. When our client lost her lucrative job, she could no longer afford to pay back the amount that was due. In doing a detailed research of our client's financial situation, the Associate assigned to the case prepared and submitted an Offer in Compromise for $2,000 to be paid in five monthly payments. Our client promptly made the requisite payments, and the IRS accepted the Offer in Compromise based on her financial situation. This resolution saved our client $80,000.
• A taxpayer in Leavenworth, Kansas hired Clear Creek to manage a $5,800 tax liability with the State. When hired, our client originally wanted to negotiate a lower Installment Agreement payment. Upon researching our client's financial situation, the Associate assigned to the case determined than an Offer in Compromise might be more beneficial to our client. Clear Creek prepared and submitted an Offer in Compromise to the state of Kansas, and after several conversations, the Associate negotiated a very manageable Offer. Our client only had to pay a quarter of the base tax with no penalties or interest added.
• A glass replacement company in Utah hired Clear Creek to resolve a State Withholding and Sales tax liability of $39,633. The State had previously imposed several levies and liens on our client's assets which forced him to sell his family home and move into an apartment. After carefully reviewing our client's financial condition, we determined that the most appropriate resolution would be to submit an Offer in Compromise. We originally proposed an Offer in the amount of $4,000 while the State counter-offered with a minimum amount due of $10,000. After aggressive negotiations, the State of Utah accepted our Offer in Compromise proposal for $8,000, saving our client $31,633.
• An electrical contracting business in Yucaipa, California hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $30,000 owed to the IRS for past due employment taxes. The business owners had not taken draws or paychecks in months, and were both filing for personal bankruptcy. The business income had dwindled and the owners wanted a chance to regain financial control after the economy tanked and needed time before it could support an Installment Agreement. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated with the Revenue Officer and was able to get the balance owing into Uncollectible Status, also known as Status 53, with a revisit date of one year to allow the business to recover its losses and get current and complaint with Federal Tax Deposits. The Revenue Officer finally agreed after three months of negotiation not to shut our client's business down or force them into an Installment Agreement.
• A nursing placement agency hired Clear Creek to handle their civil penalty issue for 2005. They had filed their W-2's, and W-3 on time, but the IRS stated they did not receive it, and were charging them a sizable penalty. The Associate that was assigned to the case put together a proposal requesting that the IRS review the W-2's and W-3 and respectfully reconsider the penalties on the account. The IRS continued to state they would not remove any penalties and did not want to expedite the request. Therefore, the Associate assigned to the case continued to contact them daily to get a point of contact with whom to negotiate. After strenuous negotiations with the underreporting department, our firm negotiated to have the entire liability reduced, saving our client the full $38,000 that the IRS was charging them in the first place.
• A couple in Gunnison, Colorado hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $16,000 owed to the State for past due individual income taxes. Our clients were elderly and unemployed, and not sure how they were going to pay an Installment Agreement. The Associate assigned to this case uncovered an error made in the adjustment for the capital gains deduction and advised our client to have their tax return reviewed by a CPA and possibly amend the return if necessary. The CPA did amend the tax return, which restated our client's income drastically. The State proceeded to levy our client while the amended return was being processing. The Associate assigned to the case was able to stop the levy and have the return processed in three weeks instead of the six months that the State indicated. The State then sent a letter stating that our clients still owed the original tax and they were disallowing the amended return because of past tax owing, despite it being previously paid. The Associate sent a written protest and verbally negotiated the protest as well, resulting in the amended return being accepted and a refund being issued to our client for $2,013.06.
• A single mother in Hampton, Virginia hired Clear Creek to represent her for a liability her ex-husband accrued. The liability was a little over $17,000. She had been married to her husband at the time of the accrual and had as the IRS put it, she had been privileged to use the money that he did not pay the federal government. This was a point of contention and one that we fought vigorously. The Associate prepared an Innocent Spouse Proposal and submitted it to the IRS. After strenuous negotiations and providing the IRS with financial statements, proof of divorce, and proof of the financial hardship this was causing our client, the IRS agreed to eliminate the liability on behalf of our client. Our firm was able to save this single mother the full balance due of $17,000.
• An individual in Lancaster, California hired Clear Creek to negotiate an Installment Agreement for a personal tax liability owed to the State of California for $43,588.81. The Associate assigned to this case had submitted an Offer in Compromise to the State of California for $500.00 per month, however, over the course of the negotiations, it was determined that our client had bought and transferred two different properties that threatened to make the pending Offer in Compromise null and void. After supplying the information that our client had actually only served as a co-signer on the properties, and was no longer listed on them, we were able to have the total liability placed in a permanent financial hardship status and all liens were released, saving our client $25,610.65.
• A small electrical company in Cushing, Oklahoma hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of $50,000 owed to the IRS for past due employment taxes. The Associate assigned to the case prepared thorough financial statements and determined that our client did not have an ability to pay his liability in full through a payment plan nor did he have the ability to make a significant monetary offer to the IRS in order to settle his liability. However, our client did have the ability to acquire $500 to make a good faith Offer to the IRS to go towards his liability. Armed with this information, the Associate prepared and submitted an Offer in Compromise to the IRS offering this $500.00 good faith payment in exchange for forgiveness of the remaining liability. The Offer in Compromise was initially denied by the Offer Reviewer as he stated that his analysis of our client's financials determined that our client was able to full-pay the liability owed through a payment plan. The Associate continued negotiations with the reviewer as it was still her position that our client did not have the ability to full-pay the liability, nor make a larger contribution to the liability than the $500 that was originally offered. After intense negotiations, the Offer in Compromise Reviewer agreed to accept the original Offer in the amount of $500, saving our client approximately $45,500.
• A small family-run coffee shop in Yakima, Washington hired Clear Creek to manage a $107,000 liability with the IRS. The owners of the coffee shop also had personal liabilities totaling $8,000. Our Client hired Clear Creek when a 'Final Notice of Intent to Levy' was issued even though our client was working with their Revenue Officer. The Associate assigned to the case was able to negotiate a hold of enforced collection action until all the requested documents were obtained by our client and submitted to the Revenue Officer. The Associate also negotiated a partial payment Installment Agreement of $100 per month for both the business and personal liabilities. Because of the IRS' Statute of Limitations, numerous periods of the liability will drop off during the life of the Agreement saving our client approximately $100,000.
• A cardiac care nurse in Charlotte, North Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage a liability of over $40,000 owed to the IRS. Due to her husband's grave illness, our client was unable to make ends meet, let alone begin making payments to the IRS. Facing foreclosure on her home, our client hired Clear Creek to resolve the growing liability. The Associate assigned to the case first found some irregularities and was able to lower the tax liability to under $28,000. Within two months of the hire date, the Associate and his assistant were able to work as a team to provide detailed financial statements to the IRS and negotiate for the account to be placed in Status 53, or an uncollectible status. At this stage, we are in the process of discharging the lien on the client's home so that she will be able to sell the home rather than face foreclosure. With the account in Status 53, our client will not be required to make any payments on her liability, and will be able to instead use those funds to make ends meet and care for her husband.
• An individual in Granada Hills, California with outstanding liabilities to the State of California contacted Clear Creek to establish an affordable payment plan once he had completed filing all outstanding returns. Once the returns posted with the State, the client owed around $20,000. The Associate assigned to the case negotiated two stays of enforced collection action, yielding several months without any levy action. After reviewing our client's financial statements, the Associate submitted them to the State Revenue Agent with a request to grant our client one year in hardship status. The State will not collect against our client for one year, allowing him to make payments as his income allows.
• A beauty salon in Jefferson City, Missouri hired Clear Creek to assist in the management and resolution of its outstanding tax liability in the amount of $15,000 to the IRS. Our client worked with us in finalizing accurate financial information necessary for Clear Creek to be able to propose a resolution strategy. The business financial statements actually showed a loss at the end of each month. The Associate assigned to the case established a good working relationship with the Revenue Officer and successfully negotiated Status 53, or 'Currently Not Collectible', reducing our client's burden of making monthly payments. As long as our client remains current with taxes moving forward, the past due taxes will remain uncollectible.
• A floral shop in Houston, Texas hired Clear Creek to manage a $40,000 liability owed to the State of Texas. Prior to Clear Creek's communications with the State, the Comptroller had threatened to close the floral shop and seize all assets and inventory. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated a 'Stay of Enforced Collections' to protect our client's assets while compiling requested financial documents. After evaluating several options, the Associate determined that the best resolution was to negotiate an Installment Agreement with the State. Clear Creek negotiated a two-year payment plan for $1,350 per month. By doing so, the business was saved from forced liquidation and continues to provide flowers to Houston area residents today.
• An individual from Littleton, Colorado hired Clear Creek with an assessed liability of nearly $20,000. The Associate assigned to the case discovered that all liabilities stemmed from substitute returns from the IRS. The Associate worked with our client to get the original returns prepared and submitted to the proper unit of the IRS. The process took so long that a Final Notice of Intent to Levy was issued, which the Associate promptly appealed. The original returns eventually posted to our client's account, but since the most recent returns posted first, refunds due from those periods were reapplied to earlier periods. Once the earlier periods posted, the IRS determined that no refunds could be issued because of the three-year statute of limitations on requests for refunds based on the original filing of returns. The Associate successfully argued with the Appeals Department to return the refunds from recent periods to their original years which resulted in over $9,000 worth of refunds for the client. Thus, an original liability of nearly $20,000 was removed completely, and over $9,000 was returned to the client.
• A printing company in Seattle, Washington, hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability in the amount of $50,000, however, they were unsure of how much they actually owed due to the fact that they had several missing returns. The Associate assigned to this case had discovered that there were several missing returns and that our client had not been able to reach compliancy for quite some time. After the missing returns were filed and the total liability was assessed, we had informed our client that the actual amount due for the business was over $128,000, and discussed all options available to them at that time. After carefully considering all options, our client had chosen to move forward shutting down and reopening another entity, and began working towards making this happen. A Certificate of Discharge was filed with the Internal Revenue Service and after extensive and lengthy negotiations, it was finally approved. The Trust Fund was not assessed to our client personally, and all remaining assessment statutes will expire by 2011. Through our intensive negotiations, our client received a savings of well over $120,000.
• A private security company located in Surfside Beach, South Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage a corporate liability of $115,000. After further review of our client's case, it was determined that the owner also had a single member LLC that owed approximately $60,000 as well. The Associate assigned to this case determined that there was a lack of viability for the corporation and with help from Clear Creek, the owner shut this business down immediately. In the midst of this process, the Revenue Officer assigned to both cases attempted to take aggressive enforced collection action. While stopping all forms of collection action against our client, the Associate assigned to the case determined that the single member LLC was not viable either, and Clear Creek again helped with the shut down of this business. As the Trust Fund portion of the liability of $129,296.87 was assessed to the officer of the businesses, it was determined that the individual had a lack of personal income and assets, and due to the amount of liability owed to the IRS, it was not possible for him to repay this debt. After many negotiations with the Revenue Officer, the Associate negotiated a Status 53 resolution for the companies which means that our client is free from collections until the statute of limitations runs out on all of the balances due. This resolution saved our client approximately $250,000.
• Our client, a small family-owned butcher and deli business in Indiana, hired Clear Creek to resolve a State assessed tax of $60,000 and an IRS liability of over $20,000. In working with the IRS, Clear Creek has been able to show that the client is unable to make any payments and has secured Status 53 or uncollectible status with the IRS. We have negotiated holds of enforcement on the client's account with the State of Indiana to allow them time to file the returns. Once these returns post to the system, the State liability will be reduced from $60,000 to roughly $5,000. We are in the process of negotiating that the $5,000 in State liability also be placed in uncollectible status. An individual hired Clear Creek to manage a state of North Carolina tax issue stemming from a move our client made from Colorado to North Carolina. In 2001 our client moved, but continued to work for the same company. In 2007, our client received written correspondence from the state of North Carolina that she owed over $7000 in state income tax due in large part from federal income tax information showing she resided in North Carolina. Our client claimed that this State income tax had been paid to the State of Colorado by her employer, rather than the tax being paid to North Carolina as it should have been. The State of Colorado had no record under our client's social security number that she had ever paid income tax to the state. Therefore, the Associate had to contact our client's former employer in order to establish where our client's state income taxes were being paid. Our client continued to maintain the position that her State Income Tax was being withheld by her employer, and paid to Colorado by the employer. In researching this claim, many of the Human Resource Personnel were less than cooperative because to them it didn't make sense that the company would be paying an employee's taxes on her behalf. We maintained our faith in our client's claim, and stayed persistent until finally someone was willing to help. After at least a dozen more calls than it should have taken, we were finally able to find someone who could locate the precious employment record located in some remote and obscure warehouse somewhere in California. The document did verify our client's claim. Therefore, North Carolina was at fault for assessing our client the amount of income tax it had for 2001. We presented the hard to find document along with an IRS W-2 wage statement to a North Carolina Agent. After some verbal persuasion, the North Carolina State Agent released the garnishment on our client's wages, the outstanding debt of the client was settled, and a refund of $466 dollars was issued to our client.
• A vitamin distributor in New Hersey had numerous missing 940 and 941 returns resulting in $9,380 liability owed to the IRS. The Associate negotiated a three week hold with the Revenue Officer so the client could file the missing returns. Unfortunately the returns and all tax records were destroyed during Hurricane Charley, however, we were able to provide the insurance claim as proof of damages to the Revenue Officer who then agreed to place the single quarter of liability into uncollectable status provided our client filed her 940 returns for 2003 and 2004, as she was the only employee at the time. Our client filed her returns and now her liability which has been paid totaled $208.
• An individual in Seneca, South Carolina hired Clear Creek to manage a $320,000 liability owed to the IRS which was constantly harassing him. As a retired 83 year old he did not want to deal with the stress and hassle that the IRS was subjecting him to. His Social Security wages, his only income, had been garnished, severely limiting his ability to maintain any kind of quality of life. He had also received a levy against his bank account which took several thousand dollars that he had been relying on. As his liability was so high, the IRS was unwilling to leave him alone and he was terrified of further collections against him. The Associate assigned to this case entered our powers of attorney forms, and had a rough negotiation with Automated Collection System for a hold on Enforced Collections, however, once successful, this was the first peace of mind our client had experienced in quite some time. Once we had the hold in place, we obtained all of the information that we needed to file our client's missing returns and eliminate the Substitutes for Returns that the Internal Revenue Service had filed against him. Over the next several months we ensured the IRS that our client had the necessary resources to get his missing returns completed and filed. Automated Collection Systems did not file the returns expediently or was very willing to speed up the process. In fact, due to the high dollar amount, ACS stalled and continued to attempt collection action to the very end. When the dust cleared we saw that we had not only been able to reduce our client's liability to zero, but had, in fact, ensured that he received a refund check from the Internal Revenue Service to the tune of $12,000.00!
• A developer in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $902,000. When our client's business was up and running, it had neglected to file some 1120 returns and some 941 returns back in 2004. Due to the timeframe of this liability, we instructed our client to file a 'zero return' for the first quarter of 2005 and to not file 1120's due to the fact that there is nothing for the liability to attach to. In the end, our client walked away from the IRS being able to asses him personally and since the business is now a defunct entity, our client walked from the full balance of $902,773.81!
• An owner of an RV business in Montana had accrued more than $159,000 in outstanding tax liabilities owed to the IRS. Our client was approaching retirement, so we decided that the best course of action was to shut the corporation down and transfer ownership to some long-term employees who would then hire our client. Once this was in the works, we were in the process of filing an Offer in Compromise, however our client was not timely in submitting documents nor transferring ownership, however, the Associate managed to keep the IRS from levying the old and new business for several months. Eventually, an Offer in Compromise was accepted for $13,696 on the $80,000 in Trust Fund taxes that our client owed. In total, we saved our client over $145,000 from the original liability.
• When an individual in North Carolina contacted us regarding a $15,000 liability owed to the state, he was being harassed for not filing individual tax returns that the State said he had never filed. The State had been actively collecting against him for two years, and were still trying to get money from him after he was laid off from his job, lost his car and all his possessions, and was forced out of his home. He was adamant that he had filed those returns when they had been due several years ago. The assigned Associate's initial strategy was to attempt to get the information that the State had used to generate the substitutes tax returns. The State Revenue Agent could not locate what they had used, and told the Associate that it didn't matter much anyway; she would still attempt to collect. After this lack of cooperation, the Associate investigated the issue with greater scrutiny, and noticed that the statute of limitations on assessment and collections had passed. This Associate pulled up North Carolina's Revised Statutes and Tax Code and found the information regarding the states statute of limitations. This Associate called the State Revenue Agent, statutes in hand, and argued with her for some time. Eventually she was forced to contact her supervisor, and promised that she would call back to discuss the issue in further depth. The next call that this Associate received from the State Revenue Agent was a notification that the total liability was being dismissed, and that our client was free of any and all liability to the state of North Carolina.
• An individual hired Clear Creek Consulting to manage an IRS liability of $58,749.37. After reviewing financial information and current assets the Associate assigned to this case determined that an Offer In Compromise would be the best resolution for our client. The Associate submitted the Offer to the IRS in the amount of $91.27. The Offer came back denied, at which point we submitted an amended Offer in the amount of $6,946.64. The Offer was approved saving our client $51,802.73.
• Owners of a masonry business in Independence, Iowa hired Clear Creek to manage an $88,000 liability owed to the IRS. After much consultation, the Associate assigned to this case negotiated the closure of this business with the IRS as this was the owners desire, however, they agreed that only one owner was to be assessed with the Trust Fund. Once it was all completed, only one owner was assessed and $30,000 of liabilities were removed.
• Upon receipt and review of the account record with the State of Michigan for Sales, Use, and Withholding Taxes, the Associate assigned to this case discovered that our client was being charged an assessment that did not make sense. After contacting the State of Michigan and directing their attention to the matter, the assessed amount of tax liability was promptly removed from the total balance due. The total amount removed, and saved for our client for Sales, Use, and Withholding thus far equaled $17,393.69. We are now negotiating an Installment Agreement.
• Upon contact with the IRS for our client who hired our firm to manage an $80,000 liability owed to the IRS, the Associate discovered that our client was only receiving credit on behalf of two out of three dependent children residing within their household. After further research on the discrepancy, the client in fact claimed three separate dependents on his 1040 return, with one SSN incorrectly printed on the form. The oversight had not been recognized as far back as 2000 by the IRS or our client. Once we were able to receive the proper documentation from the taxpayer, we again contacted the IRS and this resulted in a savings of over $4,000 for our client. We are now negotiating an Installment Agreement for the balance.
• An ambulance transport company in Alabama hired Clear Creek to manage an ongoing IRS debacle. The Associate assigned to this case received notification from the IRS that the liability owed for the 2nd Quarter 2005 941 tax was found to be in error and that the taxpayer's total balance increased from the original amount determined. The account was assessed to the CAWR unit of the IRS for examination, which is when and where the initial change was made by the department to increase the liability because of a discrepancy between the W-2's and 941 tax on behalf of our client. Our client was already on an Installment Agreement, and all payments were being applied to the 2nd Quarter 2005, but the IRS stated that the 4th Quarter 2005 had never been filed. After discussing these issues with the taxing authorities it was determined that our client was fixed to a payment plan that was bound to default in a re-occurring pattern due to the fact that all payments were being applied to the single 2nd Quarter alone. Initially, it was requested that a formal letter with reasonable cause accounting for the incorrect assessment be submitted with the missing return, to the CAWR unit. Upon further discussions and negotiations, we sent only the 4th Quarter 2005 returns to the specified unit, as requested by the IRS, as well as informed the client to update her records with each division. Once the return was sent to the correct contact, and the misappropriated assessment was communicated to be inaccurate through the means of the federal government's account records, the official adjustment was made and the total liability for the 2nd Quarter 2005 was corrected from $285,078.86 to approximately $7,368.01.
• A construction company in East Wenatchee, Washington hired Clear Creek to manage a $46,202 owed to the IRS. The Associate assigned to this case showed the Revenue Officer that our client's W-2's and W-3's matched and the 1st quarter 2003 needed to be adjusted and the additional tax assessed, in the amount of $20,160.42 needed to be removed. This Revenue Officer was retiring and assured us that it was taken care of. Our client tried to sell one of his finished properties, however, it still showed a tax lien in the amount of $37,700.92 on the property he was trying to close. Ultimately, we had our client go ahead and pay the lien off with the funds from escrow. We then sent a petition over to the Taxpayer Advocate and once again showed that the W-2's and W-3's matched. We requested that the additional assessed tax, along with penalties and interest, be removed and refunded back to the taxpayer. Not only did the Internal Revenue Service refund the amount of the levy, they issued and additional amount of $633.00 in interest owed to the taxpayer for a refund in the amount of $39,236.85.
• A floral shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania hired Clear Creek to manage a $45,000 liability owed to the IRS. Of this amount, our client owed $14,000 in Trust Fund, so the Associate assigned to this case assisted in the formation of a sole proprietorship for our client and shutdown the corporation. Our client paid approximately $4,000 in a Certificate of Discharge which was negotiated to partially cover some of the Trust Fund tax liability. The Associate then negotiated Installment Agreements to the IRS and to the State for $250 each. In the end, we saved our client saved over $30,000.
• A gas line installation business in Lynnwood, Washington hired Clear Creek to manage an $85,000 liability owed to the IRS. After much consultation the Associate assigned to the case decided that the best course of action was to shut this business down and open another entity. Although the Revenue Officer was threatening an alter-ego determination, the Associate managed to explain that this was the only manner in which to resolve this issue. In doing so, we saved our client approximately $50,000 in past due taxes.
• A computer consultant in Salt Lake City hired Clear Creek to manage a $150,000 owed to the IRS. Although a final resolution is yet in place, the Associate assigned to this case crafted a plan that would enable the statutes to run which immediately saved our client $38,000. We are currently in the process of proposing an Installment Agreement after requesting a Revenue Officer to be assigned.
• A bar and grill in Madisonville, Louisiana hired Clear Creek to resolve a $25,000 liability owed to the IRS. The Revenue Officer moved forward to assess the owner of this business personally which according to our client, would lead to a divorce. The Associate assigned to this case held off this assessment through Appeals on the grounds that our client needed time to refinance a property to full pay the liability. We did manage to hold off on this personal assessment, the liability is paid in full and he is still happily married.
• The owner of a general store in West Virginia hired Clear Creek to manage a $140,000 liability owed to the IRS. Because the owner had a party interested in buying his business, but refused to buy it with liens attached, an immediate solution was necessary. The Associate assigned to this case called the Group Manager directly, and negotiated a fast track Offer in Compromise by agreeing to an offer in the amount of $110,000 and submitted the paperwork soon thereafter. Within weeks, our client's tax obligation and associated liens were erased and he sold his business within weeks of this issue being resolved, not to mention garnering a $30,000 in tax savings.
• A supper club in Wisconsin hired Clear Creek to manage a $26,000 liability owed to the state for past due sales taxes. The Associate assigned to this case attempted to negotiate a settlement with the Department of Revenue but this was rejected. We then submitted another proposal but this was also rejected based on our client not being timely with her most recent filing requirements and payment. Due to our client's past history the DOR sent her case to the State's revocation unit in order to revoke her sales license. Generally, the revocation unit with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue does not negotiate any type of payment plan until the taxpayer either pays the liability in full or sales license is revoked. We contacted the appointed revocation specialist and she would not negotiate any type of payment plan either. We then contacted her supervisor and negotiated with him to at least consider a payment arrangement. We then submitted a formal proposal to the revocation unit. Although this proposal was also rejected we were able to negotiate further with them resulting in a payment plan including an extension of when our client's revocation hearing will take place. With this date being set well into the future, our client is now positioned to abide by the payment schedule we arranged and if she is successful she will pay her liability in full prior to the hearing date, and her sales license will not be revoked.
• An individual in Tracy, California hired Clear Creek to resolve a $16,000 liability assessed to our client by the state. In researching this issue, we concluded that this assessment was improper as the additional income the State reported was due to income she received as a result of life insurance proceeds our client received after her husband passed away. We submitted a protest of the assessed tax arguing that the assessment was incorrect. In short time, we were informed that the State removed the assessed tax and our client is free and clear of this liability.
• An insulation installer in Fort Smith, Arkansas hired Clear Creek to resolve a $93,282 owed to the state of Arkansas. This was a Withholding Tax liability that stemmed from 1998 to the present. Through negotiations with the taxpayer assistance department the Associate assigned to this case was able to close out our client's withholding account from September 2004 through current, and in the process eliminated the liability that was associated with it. After these periods were removed, there was a balance of approximately $15,000. Because the State of Arkansas only allows for closed accounts to enter into an Installment Agreement for only the base portion of the tax, the Installment Agreement balance approximates $7,000. Our client is thrilled to only be paying monthly installments of $157.
• The owner of a now closed barbeque retailer in Lebanon, Tennessee hired Clear Creek to get the IRS off of his back as the IRS was trying to collect approximately $20,000 in past due taxes.Because this now defunct company did not file many returns, the IRS would not grant an Installment Agreement and was content with simply levying our client's bank account without warning. The Associate assigned to this case convinced the IRS that a voluntary wage garnishment may make more sense for both parties. In this instance, the IRS is guaranteed payment and our client is basically on an affordable payment plan although it is called something different. Furthermore, our client can now sleep at night, knowing what his monthly payment will be and is no longer in fear of enforced collection, nor does he have to hire an expensive accountant to file past due returns.
• A protective coatings distributor located in St. Louis, Missouri hired Clear Creek to manage a $180,000 liability owed to the IRS. After much consultation, it was agreed that the best course of action was to reorganize this business. With the IRS agreeing to this resolution strategy, the associate assigned to this case negotiated a Certificate of Discharge in the amount of $1,500 which saved our client $178,500.
• A Chinese Buffet located in Buffalo New York hired Clear Creek to manage a $290,223 liability owed to the state. The Associate assigned to this case successfully negotiated an Offer in Compromise and in the process extended the deadline of the money due twice so that the client could actually pay off the balance. In the end, we saved our client $13,935.53.
• A woman in Fargo, North Dakota hired Clear Creek to manage a $20,950 liability owed to the IRS and had a pending wage garnishment against her. The Associate assigned to this case prevented the wage garnishment and negotiated an affordable $270 monthly Installment Agreement for our client. Unfortunately our client lost her job due to too many missed days at work because of her cancer treatments. After more negotiation, the Associate managed to have our client's liability put into Status 53 saving our client $19,000 and now our client can put her energy into getting healthy.
• An individual from Austin, Texas hired Clear Creek to resolve an issue stemming from a $496,173.90 liability owed to the IRS. Although the client had closed his business down prior to hiring Clear Creek, our client still had a liability of $267,899.79 in civil penalties. The Associate assigned to this case tried to formalize an Offer in Compromise, however, the IRS would not accept the Offer because the government thought our client had additional funds. After many tedious negotiations, the IRS was worn down and they accepted a Partial Pay Installment Agreement. In this rarely negotiated agreement, our client will pay $1000 per month for 10 years. This Agreement saved our client $147,899 in civil penalties.
• A fitness center in Muncie, Indiana hired Clear Creek to resolve an IRS liability of approximately $50,000. After much consultation, it was decided that the best course of action was to close the business, and draw up a Certificate of Discharge on the remaining assets which totaled $3,142.25, Although this was the agreed upon value of the assets, we negotiated this figure down to $2,000. We then consulted our client to make some voluntary payments which brought the liability down to $7,125. Once this was the balance, an Installment Agreement was negotiated for $125 per month to be paid over a five year period and our client was thrilled that such a small liability remained to be paid in such small payments.
• A detective agency in Hebron, Ohio hired Clear Creek to resolve a $31,000 liability owed to the IRS. In resolving this liability, the Associate filed protests of the Trust Fund assessment so that our client could borrow money to address the Trust Fund portion of the tax. If a lien had been filed against our client personally, the loan would not have been granted. Once the protest was agreed to, the Revenue Officer accepted an affordable Installment Agreement of $1,000 per month for the balance due.
• After retaining another competing firm, an air conditioning installation business in Palm Desert, California hired Clear Creek to manage their $827,000 liability owed to the IRS. With much consultation, it was agreed that the best course of action was to close the business. Before the business was closed, we consulted our client on how to collect all of the company's account receivables, and we negotiated a Certificate of Discharge for $22,000 on the assets. Our client also secured a loan and made a voluntary payment of $50,000 to reduce the outstanding balance to $108,000. In following our recommendations, we saved our client over $500,000 in IRS obligations.
• A truck power washing company located in Anchorage, Alaska hired Clear Creek to manage a mounting problem with the IRS. When retained, the client had several missing returns that we managed to get filed and once these posted, our client had approximately $120,000 in outstanding tax liabilities. After much consultation, it was decided to change this company into a sole proprietorship and file a Certificate of Discharge on the assets which were valued at $8,000. In doing so, over $60,000 was discharged. Furthermore, this business was being levied by an aggressive Revenue Officer who eventually agreed to this resolution strategy.
• A wedding and prom dress company in Indiana hired Clear Creek to manage a $25,544.17 liability owed to the IRS. After much consultation with respect to the company's financials, it was decided that the best method for resolving this issue was to close the company. In doing so, our client will now only be responsible for the Trust Fund portion of the tax which is approximately $8,000. Our client is thrilled to have been shown the big picture, and is now on an affordable Installment Agreement. Furthermore, this stress is now removed from this individual's life.
• A business owner in Dover, Delaware hired Clear Creek to manage an outstanding tax liability of $500,000 owed to the IRS. Although this business was partially owed by her family, this business owner did not want her family or husband know of this huge issue. By successfully closing the corporate entity and submitting a Certificate of Discharge for the assets, the Associate assigned to this case shaved off $350,000 in liabilities. To reduce the the remaining $150,000 which was assessed to our client personally in the form of civil penalties, we filed and negotiated an Offer in Compromise which was accepted for $55,000 saving our client another $100,000.
• A security company in Bergen, New Jersey hired Clear Creek to manage an $80,000 liability owed to the IRS. This liability stemmed from a company that was closed in 2004, however, the manner in which the company closed was done improperly. When a newly assigned Revenue Officer was looking for full payment of the balance due, the Associate assigned to this case formally closed the business and filed all final returns. Once closed, the last formal company financial statement stated tangible assets of approximately $400,000, however, the Associate negotiated that there were only $7,000 in assets remaining and that this is the amount for which the Certificate of Discharge should be filed. The Revenue Officer agreed to this figure and enabled this payment to be directed toward the outstanding Trust Fund portion of the tax due. In the end, our client will have to pay about $25,000 in the form of an affordable Installment Agreement, saving our client approximately $55,000.
• A coffee and banking company located in Sacramento, California hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $523,535.99. At issue was the fact the Revenue Officer had alter ego case built up against our client for accruing a tax debt, closing the business and reopening an identical enterprise doing the same line of work with the same ownership in place and had accrued another significant debt with this company. Furthermore, the client was in the process of opening up three other businesses doing the same line of work which would have been assessed the full liability in this Alter Ego case if the Associate had not negotiated that the client would repay this amount over a 10 year time frame in the form of a formal Installment Agreement thereby saving our client's growing enterprise. No personal liens were filed against our client, thereby saving their credit too.
• A real estate renovations company in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania hired Clear Creek to manage three tax liabilities which follow: Approx. $10,000 to the IRS, $10,000 to the state and $18,000 to the city. The desire of the owner was to pursue shutting down the company which the Associate assigned to this case managed to do. In the process, each taxing authority desired to pin the tax on the owner, however, with diligence, we managed to have the entire federal and state tax liabilities reduced to zero and our client ended up paying $9,000 to the city which was paid over a two month period.
• A funeral home business in Washington, Ohio hired Clear Creek to resolve an outstanding tax liability owed to the state in the amount of $21,113, however, the Associate assigned to this file noticed that our client was incorrectly assessed for another $1,429.84 which was immediately removed once this 'oversight' was pointed out. Our client mentioned that they needed assistance in refinancing their home and wished to use these proceeds to pay off this liability. By negotiating with the State that the State was to receive payment in full, the State agreed to reduce the liability down to $16,000 which saved our client $5,113.
• A marketing company in Brooklyn, New York hired Clear Creek to correct a mess our client made prior to our representation which involved shutting down their company. This company owed the IRS approximately $175,000 when it shut down. The owner opened a new entity which promptly accumulated another $175,000 in new liabilities. The Revenue Officer was moving to have the new entity become liable for the prior company's liability which is known as 'successorship' determination. With much negotiation, the Associate managed to get the Revenue Officer to back off and accept a Certificate of Discharge in the amount of $7,000 even though the now defunct company's balance sheet showed assets worth approximately $100,000 which immediately saved our client $93,000. Due to our management, our client is now free from enforced collection and successorship liability. Our client is now making affordable Installment Agreement payments to address this liability.
• A hair and massage business located in Lombard, Illinois hired Clear Creek after another tax resolution firm based in Broomfield, Colorado failed to resolve our client's outstanding tax matter. Our client owed $296,000 to the IRS and after her negative experience with this competing firm, building trust with our new client was difficult, but not impossible and keeping this liability from her husband was even more of a challenge. After much discussion, the Associate assigned to this case convinced our client that we could close the company and prepare a Certificate of Discharge for the assets and have the Trust Fund assessed to her personally as she wanted to position the company for sale. Our client agreed to borrow money to pay off the Trust Fund and now she has three solid offers to purchase her company for over $100,000 which will more than cover what she must repay on the borrowed funds. Her Certificate of Discharge on the assets was accepted for $1,675 and we saved her approximately $140,000 in penalties, interest and tax.
• A roofing company located in Switzerland, Florida hired Clear Creek to protect them from having some property seized by the IRS to satisfy a liability of $80,000. In short, the Associate assigned to this case protected this property and all other company assets from seizure, and positioned the company to sell another property that the Company's owner did not mind selling to satisfy this debt. Once the property was sold and the liability was paid, the Associate negotiated a penalty abatement in the amount of $30,000 for our client.
• A Manufacturing company in Neshanic Station, New Jersey hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $50,000 and a state liability of $9,000. Within months the Associate assigned to this client successfully negotiated an Offer in Compromise with the IRS for $6,969.43 saving our client over $43,000. With respect to the liability owed to the state of New Jersey, we negotiated that because the business has been closed for several months, all the penalties and interest on this liability should be abated. The State Revenue Agent gave in and this $9,000 liability was settled for $1,943 which will be paid over the course of several months.
• A mobile home dealer in Little Rock, Arkansas hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $250,000. After all avenues were exhausted, our client decided to re-incorporate, and we filed a Certificate of Discharge on the assets saving our client over $125,000 in penalties and interest. We are now in the process of preparing an Offer in Compromise to absolve the remaining balance.
• A floral shop in Chico, California hired Clear Creek to manage a $65,000 liability owed to the IRS. The Associate assigned to this client negotiated that because much of the liability was from the 1990's, the ability for the IRS to assess the Trust Fund had run statutes, and therefore the liability was reduced to $15,000. Furthermore, the Associate negotiated to have some other prior payments reapplied to the Trust Fund, further reducing the liability to below $10,000. Due to this small amount, the Revenue Officer agreed to not assess the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty which preserved our client's personal creditworthiness. Our client is now selling the business to her daughter and because the assets only consist of some refrigerators and office supplies, the $65,000 liability will be settled for a few hundred dollars.
• A diner in St. Paul, MN hired Clear Creek to manage an IRS liability of $45,000. In discussing all of the resolution strategies available to our client and learning that our client wanted to position the business for sale, we concluded that the best resolution would be to prepare a Certificate of Discharge on the assets and re-incorporate the company under new ownership. In so doing, our client will settle this liability for less than $10,000, and will not be assessed the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty which will preserve our client's personal creditworthiness.
• A former client of a larger firm based in Broomfield, Colorado hired Clear Creek to resolve a tax issue that was basically ignored by the previous Power of Attorney. At issue was the need to preserve our client's credit history, who owned a residence home for senior citizens in Tucson, Arizona so he could move forward with solidifying citizenship for his wife who was still living overseas. With great creativity we secured a loan which was no small feat for our client to address the Trust Fund portion of the IRS liability of $45,000 so this would not be assessed to him. If assessed, this would have all but stalled the process of making his wife a US citizen. The remainder of the liability was placed into an affordable Installment Agreement that the business is now paying.
• A landscaping contractor in Sudbury, Massachusetts hired Clear Creek to resolve a $200,000 liability to the IRS. Due to the ignorance and incompetence of the assigned Revenue Officer, this case was only resolved due to the persistence of the Associate assigned to this client. By taking this case three times through the Appeals process, we were finally able to attain the buy-in necessary to formally close this business down and have the Trust Fund assigned to the responsible parties. We then had to explain the situation to the Certificate of Discharge Reviewer because the Revenue Officer's notes were completely incorrect. With diligence, we were able to straighten everything out, secured a loan to pay off the Trust Fund, and our client is now 100% compliant and has no liability.
• First, it is important to note that we finalized for our client, a proprietary trucking and hauling business located in Richburg, South Carolina, that their entire IRS liability of $100,000 was to be placed into a non-collectible status, indefinitely. Neither the IRS or the State Department of Revenue has any interest in levying or seizing our client's assets. The issue that necessitated immediate attention had to do with a Certificate of Discharge application, and a priority 1st mortgage on the property involved in a personal injury claim against the owner several years ago. Due to this legal matter, the owner proceeded to foreclose on the property. Late one Friday afternoon the Associate was notified that the property was to be auctioned the following Monday. We had attempted to have a Certificate of Discharge application accepted; however, the owner financing arrangements proved to be too difficult to push through with Technical Services. It appeared that the property would be sold at auction, and little, if any, of the proceeds would go to the Internal Revenue Service tax debts. After much brainstorming, discussions with four different attorneys representing our client on this legal matter, the Internal Revenue Service (Technical Services), my client, and the potential buyer listed on the Certificate of Discharge application, the Associate was able to come up with an 11th hour proposal that everyone could agree on. Rather than sell the actual property that was in question (93 acres of wooded area surrounding the business), we would sell the mortgage on the property. This transaction would be free from any interference from the Federal and State Tax Liens, and would allow the buyer to remain in primary lien position. When resubmitting our Certificate of Discharge proposal, we could utilize this mortgage as partial satisfaction of the agreed upon purchase price, with all remaining proceeds, $140,000, going to the IRS and closing costs. Working with the attorneys over the weekend, we were able to put a halt to the auction within approximately 2 two hours of the sheriff's sale on Monday morning. Had the brakes not been put in place on this, the taxpayer would have had to file bankruptcy, or enter into costly litigation. Instead, we were able to retain the property that would best be served in repaying the IRS.
• A landscaping contractor in Cleveland, Ohio hired Clear Creek to manage and resolve a $725,000 liability owed to several Ohio State tax departments. In submitting several Offers in Compromise to the State of Ohio, the Associate negotiated the liability down to $150,000 which normally must be paid in one lump sum, however, in this circumstance, the payoff was negotiated over a seven year time frame, thereby saving our client $575,000.
• A security systems business in Kingwood, New Jersey hired Clear Creek to resolve a $45,000 liability to the Internal Revenue Service while he was attempting to sell this business to another company. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated a settlement of $11,000 on the company's assets and protected our client from being assessed the Trust Fund Penalty.
• A catering business located in New Jersey hired Clear Creek to resolve a $200,000 liability to the Internal Revenue Service. With creatively and persistence, the Associate assigned to this case negotiated that the entire liability be placed into an uncollectible status so long as the business does not generate significant revenues which has not been an issue for several years as our client suffers from a debilitating condition and only works part-time.
• A painting contractor in Leicester, North Carolina hired Clear Creek to resolve a $275,985 liability to the IRS. After consulting with the client on how to best resolve this large tax liability, it was decided to dissolve the corporation and continue this line of work under a sole proprietorship. This strategy enabled our client to walk away from $137,000 in penalties and interest. We are now filing an Offer in Compromise to settle the Trust Fund balance.
• A software company in Houston, Texas hired Clear Creek to resolve a lingering issue involving a $13,000 liability that was incorrectly assessed to an old EIN. Following some forensic accounting on the case, where we were able to locate overpayments and mis-applications of deposits between EIN's, we filed an Appeal to resolve the issue. The Appeals Officer researched the case and concluded that the IRS Revenue Officer botched the case. As a result, the Appeals Officer erased the liability by throwing the liability into Status 53. The tax assessed is a non-trust tax on a non-existent entity and therefore has no ability to be assessed. Therefore, by filing the correct appeal, and researching the accounting of the business and the case, we were able to erase $13,000 in liability for our client.
• A residential and commercial painting contractor located in Lafayette, Louisiana hired Clear Creek to resolve a $60,000 liability to the Internal Revenue Service. The Associate assigned to this case negotiated that due to the destruction of hurricane Katrina, and the consequent demise of this business, that the company should be shut down and reorganized. With the consent of the Revenue Officer, the company was reorganized. Furthermore, the Associate negotiated that none of the Trust Fund should be assigned to our client which relieved him of the entire liability of approximately $60,000.
• A contracting company located in California was assessed W-2/W-3 related Civil Penalties for non-filing and intentional disregard for the 2001 tax year. Our client was assessed a $28,000 penalty for this period and eventually was levied for full payment of this liability. Clear Creek collected all necessary W-2 and W-3 information and upon submission found that our request may take up to 10 months to reach resolution. We contacted the Taxpayer Advocate's Office in California and were able to expedite the process to within 60 days. The taxpayer will be issued a check in the amount of $31,473.70 on August 22, 2006 which includes approximately $2,700 in accumulated interest.
• A client located in West Palm Beach Florida owed 1040 taxes from 1992. The assessed amount was $55,000. Interest of $45,000 had accrued and $7,000 in additional penalty as well. Thus, even with an abatement, the client would pay well over $100,000. The collection statute was getting ready to run in June 2007. Thus, the IRS was going to garnish wages non-stop (which would have full paid the liability given our client's income) or make our client sign a waiver extending the collection statute to payoff the debt on an Installment Agreement. I discussed the situation with the Revenue Officer given our client's disposable income and other debt, and was able to have an agreement accepted where our client pays $3,000 a month for the next 12 months and then is done. Our client will pay $36,000 and the $100,000 liability will be satisfied with no collection statute extension or enforced collection as long as the payments are made.
• A Houston in-home care company retained Clear Creek to resolve an IRS liability of $550,000 and transfer the assets of the company to another firm through a Buy/Sell Agreement. The assigned associate avoided any and all fraudulent conveyance of assets for the new owner while indemnifying the client from the Trust Fund Liability which the new owner would assume while also employing the former owner for a three year period of time. The company is now free from enforcement action and is able to address the liability by making affordable monthly payments.
• A Montana based painting company retained Clear Creek to resolve an IRS liability of $47,000. On our initial consultation, the Associate assigned to this case consulted our client to consider shutting down his company and opening up another company with only contract employees. Within thirty days, the client had a new company up and running with no payroll tax obligations, and the assigned Revenue Officer agreed to dismiss $33,000 in penalties and interest without any of the Certificate of Discharge proceeds being directed to the penalties and interest. These funds were all directed to the Trust Fund balance.
• An Illinois communications company retained Clear Creek to resolve a $2 million liability to the Internal Revenue Service. The assigned associate closed the corporation without any liens or enforced collection which was a specific client request so the client can move forward with capitalizing the new company. The liability was reduced to $500,000 which the client will address with personal liquidity.
• A New York and Florida restaurant chain had been battling continuous levies from both State Taxing Authorities on a total liability of $450,000. With the State of Florida, the Associate negotiated to have the file taken from the State Revenue Agent, and have it reassigned, and in the process had all money that had been levied returned to the client. The client is now in an affordable Installment Agreement with the State of Florida. With the State of New York, the Associate negotiated the client's previously negotiated Installment Agreement reduced in half and it is now affordable and manageable.
• After dropping a competing firm that had not managed to negotiate a resolution for our client in over two years, this Ohio-based tool and mold company now has a pending Installment Agreement all but finalized because the Associate assigned to this file managed to demonstrate to the Revenue Officer on this file that the assets in question were not enough to secure lending to pay down the $83,000 IRS liability. Within a few months, the Associate, using great creativity, managed to finalize an agreement that our competition could not obtain in two years.
• A competing firm was not able to obtain lien releases for several periods of liability in which the liability was paid in full. Within several weeks, the Associate assigned to this file secured the release of these liens through the state and county offices which enabled our client to obtain a business loan so that they could grow their business and pay down some other liabilities and our client is now cash flow positive.
• A Home Grocery Service in Willoughby Ohio retained Clear Creek to resolve a lingering IRS issue original involving $64,000 in successor liability that stemmed from a poorly executed debt restructuring plan months ago. By arguing that the new entity is different and that the equity in some business property is not worth seizing due to its encumbrance over the life of the collection statute, we were able to discharge the lien interest in the property, and remove all successor liabilities. We successfully negotiated that the new entity must pay a nominal $1,500 on the remaining corporate liability and the owners are now on an affordable $250 monthly Installment Agreement for the Trust Fund balance that approximates $32,000. Most of this liability will not be paid, however, because the statutes to collect will expire in a few years. At the very least, we effectively cut our client's liability in half.
• Clear Creek implemented a new resolution strategy that has only been recently permitted by the IRS. This new strategy is called a Partial Payment Installment Agreement which was successfully negotiated for a Utah Pluming Company. We explained to the Revenue Officer that the financial condition of the taxpayer could not support a traditional Installment Agreement Payment Plan, and that the entire liability of over $40,000 would never be fully paid. To resolve this issue, we negotiated a five year Partial Payment Plan for $500 per month, even though penalties and interest would continue to accrue daily over the next 60 months resulting in significant savings for our client.
• Once retained, the Clear Creek associate assigned to this Pittsburgh manufacturing company negotiated with the Attorney General's office to hold off on all civil prosecution until we had a firm grasp on the financial condition of this company. By auditing the company's books, we discovered that the former bookkeeper hid numerous state and federal tax notices and was funneling thousands of company dollars into her personal account. We immediately filed an appeal with the Internal Revenue Service and a police report which will be useful in abating penalties associated with this issue. The client is now making voluntary payments to the IRS Trust Fund liability while we continue our audit. Furthermore, the state accepted our formal proposal for an affordable State Installment Agreement.

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