Ask Phil Video Series

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses private collection agencies, otherwise known as PCAs.   Unbeknownst to some taxpayers, the IRS doesn’t always collect taxes on their own. Sometimes they hire private collection agencies (PCAs). The IRS contracts these agencies to collect overdue tax debt from individuals and businesses.   That said, if a […]

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses the most common tax forms every taxpayer should know about.  Tax Form 1040 or 1040-X  The well-known U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040 is what you will use to report both your income and deductions to determine your tax liability every tax year. Form […]

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses his 5 top tips for how to avoid an IRS audit.  File Your Taxes: Some taxpayers don’t file because they think they don’t have to. The minimum requirement to file a tax return depends on your filing status and income, but generally most U.S. citizens […]

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses IRS notices, including when you can expect a notice to turn into enforcement and how to respond to a notice.  When does the IRS Levy? Receiving an IRS notice can be very intimidating, especially when you are being notified of a tax balance due. But […]

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses tax scams, including how to spot them and how to avoid being conned.  Tax fraud and scams are growing in popularity and have even recently taken on newer forms. Taxpayers are often conned over text, phone, email, and even regular postal mail. Some taxpayers have […]

Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Lead Tax Attorney, Phil Hwang, discusses levies and garnishments, including which assets the IRS can seize and how the IRS can garnish your wages.  A levy is a legal seizure against your assets that results from owing back taxes. In truth, the IRS can seize just about anything you own. This […]