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Settling Your Tax Bill for Less: Myths vs. Reality (Completed)

2 CPE Credits $71.00/credit hour Thursday, January 22, 2026 · 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.9 (6 ratings)
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Every year, millions of taxpayers struggle with unpaid IRS balances, yet only a small fraction successfully settle their tax debt for less through the IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC) program. Why is that? What does it really take to qualify?

In this course, tax expert Jim Buttonow, CPA/CITP, will separate fact from fiction and give you the insider knowledge you need to guide clients through the OIC process. You’ll learn how the program works, who qualifies, and how to calculate the settlement amount. We’ll walk through a real-life example from start to finish—qualification, application, investigation, and resolution—while debunking common myths that mislead taxpayers.

Plus, discover why many clients don’t qualify and explore alternative IRS solutions that may better fit their circumstances. By the end of this session, you’ll have the confidence and tools to advise clients on realistic options for resolving tax debt.

Who Should Attend
All tax professionals who need to resolve unpaid taxes issues for their clients and want to consider the IRS offer in compromise program.

Topics Covered

  • The IRS offer in compromise basic concepts
  • OIC trends, and who generally qualifies and does not qualify for an OIC
  • The qualification and the offer amount calculations
  • The OIC financial analysis used in the qualification and offer amount formulas
  • The OIC application and investigation process
  • Possible better IRS collection alternatives to the OIC

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the IRS offer in compromise program and how it works
  • Identify whether a client qualifies for an offer in compromise
  • Recognize how to calculate the amount they need to settle their tax bill
  • Identify the potential issues that will disqualify a client from an OIC
  • Identify other IRS collection alternatives that may better fit your client's circumstances

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study
Taxes (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None

Instructor

Jim Buttonow

Jim Buttonow, CPA, CITP, has been a leader in helping taxpayers and tax professionals resolve tax problems with the IRS.
For 19 years, Jim worked at the IRS in various compliance enforcement positions. Since 2006, Jim has been in private practice and tax and accounting software development. Jim consulting practice focuses on the areas of tax controversy and tax administration. Jim led product development and marketing for a successful software company that developed tax problem software for tax professionals and has developed and implemented post-filing tax services to large tax providers, such as H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. This software is currently being used by tens of thousands of tax professionals and businesses in the United States.

Jim has been an IRS partner in improving IRS operations and post-filing service to taxpayers. Jim served as chairperson of the IRS Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) in 2015 and 2016 during which ETAAC played a central role in promoting the IRS digital strategy to develop transformative technology solutions to systemic challenges in tax administration. Jim also served as the North Carolina representative on the IRS’ Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) from 2020-2022.
Jim regularly speaks on areas of tax administration and problem solving to national associations and has testified before Congress in areas of tax administration. He has also published many articles in industry publications. In his articles, Jim focuses on delivering practical insights, advocating for IRS transparency and efficiency, and proposing innovative large-scale solutions for taxpayers and tax professionals.

Jim currently authors the Tax Problems and Solutions Handbook, a publication aimed at helping tax pros work more effectively in post-filing matters and resolving their clients’ most common tax problems. The book can be found online at TaxProblemsHandbook.com. Jim can be reached at Jim@buttonowcpa.com or at his website at buttonowcpa.com.
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