Guides
How To Read IRS Transcript Codes
Your IRS account transcript is a wall of three-digit codes. Here's a decoder covering the codes that tell you what the IRS actually did to your account.
Liam Williams
Law and tax student researching UK tax tribunal procedures. Imperial College London graduate. Building plain-English resources for self-representing taxpayers
Guides
The Stipulation of Facts in Tax Court: Rule 91 Explained
Tax Court Rule 91 walkthrough: what you must stipulate, how to reserve objections, the 45-day compel deadline, and the Rule 122 trap for pro se petitioners.
Guides
How To Set Up an IRS Installment Agreement
Step-by-step walkthrough of applying for an IRS installment agreement—forms, fees, payment math, and what to do when it gets denied or terminated.
Guides
How To Apply for an Offer in Compromise
The IRS accepts roughly 21% of offers in compromise. Here's the step-by-step process for calculating your offer and giving yours the best chance.
Issues
Understanding IRS Statutes of Limitations
The IRS has deadlines too. Three clocks control how long it can audit you, collect from you, and how long you have to claim a refund.
Guides
How To Respond to a CP2000 Notice
A CP2000 is not a bill and not an audit. It's a proposal—and you have the right to respond. Here's how.
Guides
When and How To Get Professional Help With Your Tax Dispute
Most Tax Court petitioners represent themselves, and many do fine. But some situations call for professional help. Here's how to decide—and where to find it.
Guides
How To File an Amended Return (Form 1040-X)
Made a mistake on your tax return? Here's how to fix it with Form 1040-X—and how amended returns connect to Tax Court and the refund suit path.
Guides
Understanding Your IRS Balance: How Penalties and Interest Add Up
A $15,000 tax deficiency can nearly double with penalties and interest. Here's how to break down every component of your IRS balance and verify the math.
Guides
How Interest Works on Your IRS Tax Debt
IRS interest is compounded daily from the day your return was due. Here's how it's calculated, why it doesn't stop during Tax Court, and what you can do about it.
Guides
Common Tax Court Motions and How To Respond
The IRS filed a motion in your Tax Court case. Here's what each type means, how to respond, and what happens if you don't.
Guides
Tax Court vs. District Court vs. Court of Federal Claims
Three federal courts hear tax disputes, but they work very differently. Here's how to decide which one is right for your situation.