If you're reading this, something already pushed you here — a notice in the mail, a balance that won't stop growing, a phone call you've been putting off.
You're not alone, and you're not out of options. Here's the straight truth about irs & state transcript review — what it is, who it works for, and what it actually takes to get the IRS off your back.
Does any of this sound like your life right now?
- Notices don't match the balance you remember.
- Don't know which years are filed and which aren't.
- Unsure whether the IRS already filed a lien.
- Want a second opinion before paying anyone for resolution work.
If even one of those hit, keep reading. The next ten minutes might be the most valuable ten minutes you've spent on this problem.
Why is an IRS transcript review the first step in tax resolution?
An IRS transcript review reveals every assessment, penalty, payment, lien, levy, and Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) on your account. Without it, any resolution strategy is guesswork. Account transcripts (Form 4506-T), Wage & Income transcripts, and TXMOD/IMFOL records together tell the complete story — including issues the taxpayer didn't know existed.
Who we built this for
We aren't trying to be everything to everyone. The taxpayers we get the best results for usually look like this:
- Anyone considering tax resolution — start here.
- Taxpayers with conflicting IRS notices.
- Estates and trustees inheriting tax issues.
- Buyers performing IRS due diligence on a business acquisition.
A transcript review is the right first step when:
- You owe the IRS but aren't sure exactly how much or for which years.
- You've received conflicting CP14, CP501, CP504, or LT11 notices.
- You suspect missing or unfiled returns.
- You're about to make a major financial decision (sale, refinance, settlement).
If you're nodding through that list, you're a real candidate. If a couple of items are unclear — that's exactly what we sort out on the first call.
What changes when this actually works
The goal isn't paperwork. It's getting your life back. Here's what that looks like for our clients:
The full picture, quietly.
FOIA-based pulls give us complete transcript data without triggering collection prioritization.
Verified balances.
We reconcile IRS records against your own — and find errors that change the case.
Hidden issues surfaced.
Unfiled SFRs, expired statutes, and missed credits routinely appear in the transcript review.
A real plan, not a sales pitch.
We use the transcript to recommend the right resolution path — or tell you that you don't need us at all.
How a irs & state transcript review case actually works
No mystery, no runaround. Here's exactly what happens from the day you call us:
- 1
Power of Attorney filed
Form 2848 filed so we can access your IRS account directly.
- 2
Account, W&I, and CAF transcripts pulled
We obtain every transcript type — going back 10 years where relevant.
- 3
Reconciliation & memo
We deliver a written case memo: balances, CSEDs, lien status, missing returns, recommended path.
- 4
Strategy session
We walk you through the findings and the realistic outcomes for each resolution option.
The four transcripts every case needs
Account transcripts (assessments, payments, penalties, statutes), Return transcripts (line-by-line filed returns), Wage & Income transcripts (every reported W-2 and 1099), and Record of Account (combination of return + account). Together they reveal what the IRS knows, what you've filed, and where the discrepancies are.
Why we use FOIA instead of direct request
Direct IRS contact can flag a file for collection prioritization. FOIA requests get the same data without any collection-side signal. It's a small procedural choice that materially protects clients during the investigation phase.
What the case memo includes
We deliver a written memo covering: assessed balance by year, CSED by year, lien and levy status, missing returns, eligibility for OIC/CNC/IA/penalty abatement, and a clear recommendation. It's the same document we'd want before deciding how to spend money on resolution.
Reading about this is a start. Knowing where you actually stand with the IRS — that's the part that changes things. The case review is free, takes about 20 minutes, and you'll walk away knowing your options.
"They saved us about $20,000 and kept us informed every step of the way."
"I'd score their service 100 out of 100."
"They got my tax bill down considerably."