The power to tax is vested in the state and the IRS is the government’s agency tasked to collect the state and/or federal taxes. In the process, when taxpayers encounter unexpected problems in their finances, they become debtors to the government in the form of tax debts. Their balance owed will increase through penalties and surcharges, unless settled on time. The taxpayer would then be thrust into the inner web of unsettled tax debts.

While there are solutions available to the taxpayer to settle his tax debts, his options to get out of it is slim if he unwittingly allows days or months to pass by, due to deadlines and penalties they will incur.

The IRS would not give him an easy way out as there are guidelines to follow, which are in most cases unfavorable to the taxpayer. He may work out his tax delinquency personally or hire a professional tax practitioner to help him out. Usually, a practicing CPA or lawyer specializing in taxation could give him a good chance to settle his tax problems with the IRS. In either case, the government’s rule on settling tax debts would govern; generally the provisions are in favor of the tax collector / IRS.