In recent years, the IRS has made a concerted effort to get people back into good status by reaching deals on overdue taxes. The rules affecting this program have just changed dramatically.
Changes to IRS Tax Settlement Rules
The IRS used to be the terror in most peoples nightmares. Specifically, people who got behind on their taxes lived in dread of having the IRS catch up with them and freeze their bank account, sell off their home and so on. To promote voluntary resolutions, the IRS instituted a program known as the offer in compromise.
The offer in compromise program was designed to let taxpayers with back tax problems resolve their problems voluntarily. Instead of waiting for the IRS to catch up to them, taxpayers could come forward and essentially admit their sins. In exchange for this voluntary action, the IRS would consider a reduction of the amount past due including penalties and interest. To be frank, the program was a massive success.
Starting July 16, 2006, the offer in compromise program is undergoing changes pursuant to a new federal law. Ironically, the small government Republican majority in Congress pushed through this nasty...