Success Stories

The following success stories are real stories of real clients helped by Alex Harris and his team. These case outcomes are typical cases for the firm, but knowing what a “typical” case looks like doesn’t help much.  (Our past successes don’t guarantee a result in your case.) Each case is different and you cannot assume that just because we did something amazing for one of these clients that we will do the same for you.  You can hope and wish and dream, but it will come down to the specific facts of your case.

You can assume that we will bring all the experience and skill gained in these cases to your case, however, and that we’ll  do our best to get you the best outcome available to you.

(Better yet, if you don’t qualify for something you really want, we will make sure that you understand why you don’t and when and how you would qualify in the future.  Best of all, we will certainly make sure that you are protected from collections now, in a resolution that will put this behind you, and on a path that will keep you from ever having these problems again.)

Disclaimers that you should read about this are on the Firm Overview page.

  • Jesica worked with an Illinois Revenue Officer to obtain Currently Not Collectible status for a self-employed couple.
  • Shannon reinstated a partial pay installment agreement for $100 per month on a $44,000 debt.
  • A truck driver from Virginia was granted an Offer in Compromise in the amount of $1,538. This was a savings of $21,279.
  • Alex and Jesica arranged duel resolutions for an Illinois couple: a $400 installment agreement for her, and an RO approved currently not collectible status for him.
  • Shannon arranged a $525 direct debit installment agreement with a Houston Revenue Officer. Levies were avoided.
  • Jesica obtained Currently Not Collectible status for an Iowa truck driver.  9k of the 19k debt is set to expire in Oct 2019.
  • Reached a settlement of $500 on a North Carolina woman’s $18,000 debt.
  • Shannon set up a direct debit installment agreement for a commercial painter with a $40,000 balance.
  • Currently not collectible status was approved for CA wage earner with $25k debt.
  • Jesica negotiated an Audit Reconsideration after the IRS taxed money her client received from a court case awarding him money for false imprisonment.  She successfully argued that it should not have been treated as taxable income and was able to get the entire tax liability of approximately $75,000 abated.
  • Shannon negotiated Currently Not Collectible status  for an 87 year old Washington woman with considerable retirement income.
  • Jesica established a $390 direct debit installment agreement for a California couple’s $30k debt.
  • A Chicago Mom got an accepted Offer in Compromise settlement of $11,628 on a debt of $111,736.
  • Shannon established a partial pay installment agreement of $45 per month on a $53,000 liability.
  • Jesica assisted an Ohio client to pay his balance in full and obtain a Lien Withdrawal.
  • Shannon negotiated an escalating installment agreement over three years of $130 to $200 to $4,000 to resolve a $190k debt.  This agreement will gives the taxpayer time to pay off other debts before increasing his payment to the IRS.
  • Worked with an Appeals Officer to get a retired Indiana man approved for the Currently Not Collectible status. We also negotiated a release of levy on his Social Security benefits.
  • Shannon arranged a partial pay installment agreement $200 per month on $57,000 debt.
  • An escalating installment agreement was arranged by Jesica on $81k debt.
  • Shannon negotiated Currently Not Collectible status with a Texas revenue officer for a client’s personal and business tax debts.
  • Negotiated release of wage levy with a Revenue Officer for an affordable installment agreement.
  • A Florida couple in their 60s was granted approval for the  Currently Not Collectible status with ACS on a debt of $52K.
  • Shannon established an escalating installment agreement for a NY attorney.
  • Jesica negotiated with the IRS so that the IRS did not default their $50 Partial Payment Installment Agreement, which will allow almost all of their $37,153 debt to expire.
  • Set up a Partial Pay Installment Agreement in the amount of $100 per month for a Nebraska Couple. This will result in the savings of approximately $43,531.
  • Jesica settled a California couple’s balance of $29,239 for $100.
  • Shannon established a $438 installment agreement for a CA taxpayer with $39,000 debt.  Information was sent to him to pursue his own penalty abatement.
  • A Texas truck driver was approved for the Currently Not Collectible status with a Revenue Officer on the file. This resulted in a savings of $543,634.
  • A New Hampshire couple paid off their IRS debt.  Alex and Beth secured a lien withdrawal from the IRS lien desk.
  • Jesica negotiated an Installment Agreement on a Chicago client’s balance of approximately $23,000 and then successfully petition for the lien against him to be immediately withdrawn.
  • Alex negotiated with a Virginia Revenue Officer to establish an escalating installment agreement for a self-employed financial advisor on $285k debt.
  • Shannon negotiated Currently Not Collectible status for a New Jersey truck driver with a $58,000 balance.
  • Jesica was able to get the IRS to release simultaneous levies against her California client’s wages and Social Security income.
  • Established a three part tiered installment agreement that allows an Illinois entrepreneur to get business off the ground without an IRS collections threat.
  • A Massachusetts Revenue Officer accepted an escalating installment agreement of $750 to $1,500 to $2,500.  This agreement will pay the taxpayer’s liability in full, but has given him time to make adjustments to his finances.
  • Shannon obtained a copy of a release of lien that a NJ taxpayer needed for a closing.
  • An escalating installment agreement was approved for a NC couple on $250,000 debt.
  • Jesica negotiated with a Revenue Officer on behalf of her client, a Texas attorney, resulting in a Partial Payment Installment Agreement of less than $350 per month on a balance of over $166,000.
  • Shannon established a stair step installment agreement for an Ohio couple with a $53,000 IRS balance.
  • Currently not-collectible status was approved for a widowed single mother. Her $110k debt has already dropped by $22k with more set to reach the collection statute expiration in 2019.
  • A recovering addict from TN was granted an Offer in Compromise settlement in the amount of $1,796 on a debt of $38,966. She was also able to keep her deceased Father’s Dodge Challenger.
  • Jesica worked with the IRS to get her client’s 2009 balance adjusted.  Her client believed it was wrong but had been previously unsuccessful in her attempts to have the IRS correct it.  This not only resulted in the elimination of the previous $37,000 owed, but she received a refund of almost $11,000.
  • Shannon arranged a $750 installment agreement for a TX project manager on $75k debt.  Levies were avoided.
  • A Georgia couple saved $99K after being approved for the Currently Not Collectible status.
  • Jesica negotiated an Offer in Compromise of $3,484 for her Iowa client’s debt of $59,542.
  • Alex negotiated Currently Not Collectible status for a TX couple with a RO assigned liability of $120k.
  • Shannon negotiated a partial pay installment agreement of $50 a month on a $218,000 balance.
  • Jesica re-instated an installment agreement that had defaulted for a client living in Japan.
  • A maintenance worker from Cleveland saved over $37,337 with an accepted Offer in Compromise of $100.
  • Jesica obtained a first time penalty abatement for a self-employed Oil consultant.  He received a $10k refund check.  Beth and Alex then secured a withdrawal of tax lien.
  • First time penalty abatement was approved for a FL man.  He received a 1k refund check and his tax lien was removed.
  • Shannon lifted 3 wage levies for a 74 year old retired veteran and set up a $500 installment agreement.
  • Jesica negotiated an Audit Reconsideration on three years for her New York client by submitting information to Examination substantiating her expenses claimed on her Schedules C that was not previously provided at the Audit.  This resulted in an elimination of the balances of over $119,000 and a refund to the client of $10,566.
  • $216 partial pay installment agreement established.  Potential savings of $548,724.
  • Alex arranged a $300 per month installment agreement through a Revenue Officer.  Beth and Jesica secured a lien withdrawal and got approved for a first time penalty abatement of $2k which further dropped the debt.
  • Alex negotiated a $230 installment agreement with a Revenue Officer on $150k debt.  The 69 year old man’s social security levy was also released.
  • Shannon arranged a $100 partial pay installment agreement for a self-employed attorney on $45,000 total debt.
  • Jesica negotiated a Currently Not Collectible status for her 78-year old client.  She convinced the IRS to allow her to keep her investment account worth over $100,000 because has been using the money for her living and medical expenses.
  • A $900 installment agreement was negotiated for a TX entrepreneur with $92,000 debt.
  • Revenue Officer approved currently not collectible status for an IL painter and his disabled wife.
  • Alex arranged a $650 installment agreement for a NY art director on $48,000 debt.  Information was sent to him to pursue his own penalty abatement.
  • Shannon negotiated Currently Not Collectible status on $75,000 debt for a NY sheet metal worker.
  • Alex negotiated Currently Not Collectible status on $32,000 debt for a self-employed fence installer in IL.
  • Assisted a Florida business owner in paying off his debt of $29,243 and successfully negotiating a withdrawal of his tax liens.
  • Shannon obtained currently not collectible status for a MT coal miner on $85,000 debt.
  • Lowered a Partial Payment Installment Agreement for a Georgia truck driver to $200/mo.
  • Alex and Beth set up Fresh Start agreement for Chicago teacher in time to avoid a lien filing against her.
  • Alex and Beth worked on an Illinois client’s wage levy and negotiated a levy release and placed the debt in hardship status, projected to save the client $22,842.00
  • After an Ohio couple paid off their debt, we negotiated a lien withdrawal to clean up their credit.
  • Alex negotiated a hold on collections for a Portersville, PA couple sufficient to allow the taxpayer’s $46,915.00 debt to expire.
  • Alex negotiated a hardship designation for a Wilmington, DE physician and his wife that projects to save them $81,131.00
  • Alex negotiated with a Chicago area Revenue Officer to establish a Partial Payment Installment Agreement, while saving the taxpayer’s hard-earned 401k account
  • Alex negotiated with a Brooklyn Revenue Officer to establish a Currently Not Collectible status for a self-employed client on a $100,000 tax debt, allowing the taxpayer to keep funds left to her by her mother as necessary for health and welfare
  • Alex negotiated with a North Carolina Revenue Officer to establish a reasonable payment plan for his client rather than them being forced to liquidate retirement accounts
  • ….and many more cases we just haven’t gotten onto the site yet.
  • Jesica negotiated with a Revenue Officer to release a levy on a New York Wal-Mart employee’s wages, putting the client in Currently Not Collectible status on his $125,333 debt.
  • Shannon negotiated a Partial Payment Installment Agreement for a 75 year old Arizona client who owed $66,881.
  • Alex negotiated the release and return of a New York contractor’s work vehicle and tools after IRS had seized them due to non-compliance and non-payment.
  • Brittany worked with Brian to help a Michigan maintenance technician to get a Currently Not Collectible designation that projects to save him $105,669.00.
  • Jesica negotiated an Offer in Compromise for an Ohio truck driver, who gets to pay $5137.00 to settle his $98,546.00 debt.
  • Brittany worked with Jesica to help a trucking company owner who owed $130,634 set up a Partial Payment Installment Agreement for $500/mo, which is projected to save him $78,515.00.  (They also arranged a $200/mo agreement with the state of Kentucky).
  • Texas truck driver received a $2000/mo agreement on $214,829 in debt, projecting to save him $69,126.00
  • Pennsylvania couple was granted a $300/mo Partial Payment Installment Agreement, which will save them $11,000 in 2016 when it expires.
  • A Texas video producer was granted Currently Not Collectible status on $42,731 in debt.
  • The team negotiated a Currently Not Collectible status for an injured construction worker, projected to save him from collections on debt of $45,587.
  • Brian worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Brittany to help an Illinois couple get a $475/mo Partial Payment Installment Agreement that projects to save them $85,703.
  • Jesica negotiated a Currently Not Collectible for a Texas couple on $115,627 in debt – she was pregnant and working, he was battling multiple sclerosis and unable to work and both had serious problems just getting compliant with back tax returns.
  • A North Carolina man was negotiated a Currently Not Collectible designation on his $35,080 debt, and an Offer in Compromise is being considered based on his disability.
  • Brittany worked with the attorneys to help a California nursing assistant obtain a $100 on her debt of $7893.00.
  • A Las Vegas construction manager was granted a $1400 Installment Agreement on a $124,871 debt which allowed him to keep the operating capital for his business.
  • Brian negotiated Currently Not Collectible status for a 71 year old retiree with $185,070 debt.
  • Jesica negotiated a Partial Payment Installment Agreement for a Wisconsin widower to pay $300/mo to a Revenue Officer on his $332,712 debt instead of liquidating his 40% interest in his uncle’s business to pay it in full.
  • Emily helped Shannon secure an Offer in Compromise recommendation at $1539.00, against total debt of $96,083.00 with formal acceptance expected in February, 2016.
  • Offer in Compromise accepted for 71 year old Atlanta retiree.  Paid only $4,032 on $232,956 debt.
  • A disabled Alabama couple qualifed for Currently Not Collectible Status so they will likely pay none of their $80,428 debt.
  • $175 Partial Payment Installment Agreement arranged for Chicago couple on $90,967 debt.  The projected savings is roughly $85,000.
  • The owner of a construction company was granted a $1,700 per month installment agreement with a Revenue Officer to avoid shutting down his business.
  • Shannon alone negotiated over 15 withdrawals of liens on successful Installment Agreement cases.
  • The team negotiated an Offer in Compromise for Kentucky mechanic for $100 on $44,035 debt.
  • A Texas steel estimator was granted Not Collectible Status so he no longer has to pay on $52,947 debt.
  • A self-employed construction foreman was granted Not Collectible Status on $144,468 debt.
  • A self-employed painter was granted Currently Not Collectible on $114,591 debt.
  • Jesica negotiated an Offer in Compromise for a New Jersey masonry worker, his wife and their two sons, settling $75,973 for $3140.
  • Emily worked with Shannon to propose and win an Offer in Compromise for a Michigan flooring installer who paid $730 to save $38,965.
  • The team negotiated a Currently Not Collectible for a real estate agent, putting her on track to save her entire $30,559 debt.
  • A Texas customer service rep was granted Currently Not Collectible status on their entire $18,182 debt.
  • Emily worked with Alex on a proposal to get a New Jersey couple Currently Not Collectible status on $60,916 in debt.
  • When a Revenue Officer wanted to shut a Georgia truck driver down, the team negotiated a $200/mo Installment Agreement that the client could afford and would keep him on the road.
  • With the $400/mo Partial Payment Installment Agreement the firm negotiated for a San Diego real estate agent, he’s on track to save approximately $34,057.
  • Alex and Emily worked on a North Carolina couple’s file and got them a $75/mo Partial Payment Installment Agreement.
  • Alex and Beth worked up a proposed Lien Withdrawal for a Louisiana couple which was ultimately granted.
  • A Maryland engineer was granted Currently Not Collectible status on a $66,812 in debt.
  • New York payroll administrator had called IRS and set up his own Installment Agreement to pay his entire debt when he called the Alex Harris team.  We negotiated an OIC to settle his $31,090 debt down to a $1629.00 settlement.   
  • Oklahoma construction superintendent granted Partial Payment Installment Agreement of $245 per month after Alex Harris team appealed Revenue Officer’s demand for $898 per month and liquidation of assets.
  • 63-year-old North Carolina man granted Offer In Compromise for $4933 on debt of $123,492
  • Jesica lifted wage levy and negotiated Partial Payment Installment Agreement for Texas engineer and wife with Revenue Officer who agreed to allow them to keep their retirement account.
  • Self-employed New York nurse granted Currently Not Collectible with Automated Collections for debt of $113,355.
  • Self-employed New Mexico podiatrist  granted Currently Not Collectible on debt of $214,797
  • Delaware receptionist granted Audit Reconsideration on three years of balances, turning her $30,000 in tax debt into a $546 refund.  This doesn’t happen very often at all, but the lesson is that you always need to look at the underlying liability first and explore every option for resolving a debt, not just an automatic default.
  • Retired truck driver granted Not Collectible for debt of $110,388
  • Accounting clerk from California allowed to keep her pension and the equity in her home and Jesica convinced the Automated Collections Service to place the $63,692 debt in Currently Not Collectible.
  • Michigan lab technician allowed a Partial Payment Installment Agreement of $205/month on debt of $70,968 despite equity in her home and after allowance for non-standard medical expenses.
  • Ohio couple allowed a Conditional Expense Installment Agreement and housing expense over the standards on $177,567
  • Jesica lifts a wage levy for a Georgia truck driver and gets a Currently Not Collectible for $31,185 of debt with the Automated Collections Service.
  • Pediatricians granted lien discharge to save the short sale of their home.  (Short sales of properties following the Great Recession have been increasingly common, but the dynamics are especially challenging where an IRS lien is on file.  Because there are so many moving parts to the transaction, coordinating all the parties, including IRS, requires vigorous follow-up.)
  • 59-year-old Pennsylvania attorney granted Partial Payment Installment Agreement by Revenue officer to pay $100/month against debt of $302,755.
  • Maryland retiree home equity saved and case placed in Currently Not Collectible after debt reduced by $14,000 in penalty abatement.  After expiration of CSED, total savings over $80,000.
  • Jesica negotiated for a Californian retiree to obtain Currently Not Collectible by Revenue Officer, saving wife’s equity in home (Community Property State rules would have allowed seizure) and allowing $685,000 in business debt to expire.
  • Self-employed pipefitter granted Offer in Compromise for $100 on $40,969 debt.
  • Missouri couple with $89,000 debt granted Offer in Compromise for $1,058.
  • An 89-year-old Kansas man on retirement was granted Currently Not Collectible status on $232,084 debt, and his levy on Social Security was stopped.
  • A Pittsburgh child care provider was granted an Offer in Compromise for $100 on $47,651 debt.
  • A 65 year old Delaware man on fixed income was granted an Offer in Compromise for $9,505 on $58,566 debt.
  • Brian negotiated Currently Not Collectible status for flooring installer so he is on track to not pay any of his $30,000 debt.
  • A San Antonio couple is granted a $400 installment agreement, saving them $21,000 on overall debt.
  • The team negotiated an Offer in Compromise for a Wisconsin delivery driver so he paid only $1,000 of his $84,076 debt.
  • A $206/month Partial Payment Installment Agreement was negotiated for an Ohio couple.
  • Re-established an installment agreement for Texas drilling consultant after the agreement was in danger of defaulting.
  • An Indiana truck driver was granted Currently Not Collectible status on $240,431 debt after Brian proved that collections would create a hardship for him.
  • Jesica and Brittany eliminated a $29,000 debt through the audit reconsideration process.
  • Texas appraiser was granted a $320/month Partial Payment Installment Agreement on over $36,000 in debt.
  • Excavation business owner was granted a Partial Payment Installment Agreement to pay $300/month to cover both his personal and business taxes after the Revenue Officer sought to shut down the business.
  • California welder was granted a Partial Payment Installment Agreement that saved him over $24,000.
  • 59-year old client on Social Security Disability was getting levied by the Federal Payee Levy Program for her back txaes of $75,679 until Jesica berger negotiated the levy’s release and set the client on Currently Not Collectible Status.
  • Jesica took a married couple from Illinois into Tax Court on a Controversy case and IRS ultimately agreed not to assess $27,124 by allowing certain deductions.
  • A Maryland school bus company owner owed $68, 514 from her business and a Revenue Officer sought to shut the company down until we negotiated a release of all levies and placed the entire debt in Currently Not Collectible status.
  • A Georgia truck druver was under wage levy until we got it lifted and put the entire $31,185 debt into Currently Not Collectible status.
  • A 70-year old Florida university professor was facing a Revenue Officer who wanted him to pay $711/mo on an Installment Agreement.  After we took the case to Appeals, it was reduced to $451/mo against $36,356 in debt.
  • Our 89-year old retired client in Ohio owned his residence and multiple rental properties that could have all been sold to pay off his $67,619 debt, but we negotiated with IRS to place the debt in Not Collectible status.
  • South Carolina couple (a welder and a retired schoolteacher) taking care of their granddaughter were faced with a Revenue Officer trying to collect over $800,000 in back taxes from a failed business.  The RO had levied their social security, but Alex and Jesica negotiated a Partial Payment Installment Agreement and a release of the Federal Payee levy.  By 2015, all but $24,000 of the debt had expired under the agreement.
  • A Tennessee construction worker owed $175,845 and was trying to provide for his wife (who was not liable) and their two daughters, and we negotiated an Offer in Compromise settlement of $2876.
  • A Georgia widower was granted an OIC for $1411 to settle his $311,301 debt.
  • A Michigan title examiner had become liable for $27,628 in back taxes due to his ex-wife’s substance abuse problems and embezzlement.  Jesica successfully negotiated an Innocent Spouse petition for the client so he was absolved of the debt.
  • An 80-year old Arizona widow faced a Social Security levy and the IRS was after her 401k and the equity in her home before the Alex Harris team negotiated a Currently Not Collectible on her $43,079 debt.
  • Virginia couple – teacher and housing supervisor – faced levies on his wages and on her bank account until we negotiated a release of both and set up an Installment Agreement for exactly what the couple could afford.
  • A Texas couple just wanted to sell their house to payoff their $296,071 debt but needed the IRS to discharge their lien to allow the closing to proceed and not lose their buyer.  Jesica negotiated with the Revenue Officer to save the closing on the sale and then petitioned for Penalty Abatement of their Fail to File and Fail to Pay penalties.  The petition was granted and the IRS refunded the clients $54,462.
  • When a woman was made a single mother as her husband went to prison, the Alex Harris team negotiated an Offer in Compromise for her for less than 10% of her debt.
  • A self-employed truck driver looked like he had a business worth thousands of dollars, but the team of Brian and Beth negotiated an OIC for $960 against over $43,000 in debt, after taking the case up to appeals.
  • A court reporter was getting levied on her main contract until the Harris team obtained a release of the levy and submitted an OIC which settled the $99,000 debt for $21,000.
  • Jesica negotiated a Partial Payment Installment Agreement with a Revenue Officer on behalf of a self-employed consultant from Florida.  The payment of $205/mo would lead to a savings of over $150,000.
  • Brian and Brittany worked on a Michigan man’s $89,410 debt that was with Automated Collections, successfully negotiating a Currently Not Collectible status.
  • A California man was granted an OIC for $1000 against $21,000 in debt.
  • After a California disabled woman set up her own Installment Agreement, she defaulted it because she couldn’t keep up with payments.  The Alex Harris team negotiated an OIC to save her nearly all of her $23,927 debt.
  • Jesica worked with Brittany to negotiate an Installment Agreement with a Revenue Officer for their Michigan client.  Once he had demonstrated diligence and compliance with the plan, they negotiated a withdrawal of the tax lien from his credit record.
  • Flooring installer was granted Currently Not Collectible Status on his $35,776 debt after we negotiated an abatement of $62,721 through Audit Reconsideration/SFR Replacement.
  • A disabled South Dakota man and his wife, a manager at Dairy Queen got an OIC for $3008 on $84,134 in total debt.
  • A Texas man had equity in his mobile home and land, but Jesica negotiated a Currently Not Collectible for him so he could keep his property and his Social Security.
  • A Michigan man came to the team when a Revenue Officer wouldn’t believe his explanation of how his self-employment income worked.  Jesica got the Revenue Officer to see the income correctly and negotiated a Partial Payment Installment Agreement on $305,054 in debt.
  • Brian negotiated a Currently Not Collectible from a Revenue Officer when a trucker wished to shut down his business and start working for someone else.
  • A Virginia electrician owed $69,049 in back taxes on 7 years and Brittany worked up a proposal for Currently Not Collectible that Brian got approved with the Automated Collections Service.
  • Brian and Brittany obtained an OIC for a couple from Dayton, OH for $100 against their $53,826 debt.
  • …and on and on….

We could do this all day.

That’s because Alex Harris’ staff has handled over 10,000 cases since 2002.  Most of the physical files have long been securely destroyed, the clients have moved on with their lives without fear of opening their mailbox.

Most of the cases we handle are success stories.  In some cases, of course, there are issues. In some cases, for example, people didn’t follow through on their case, even after we called and mailed and chased them for months and months.  In some cases, a client’s situation improved while working on the file, which was a good thing – a good job is a lot better than a good settlement – though it might mean they pay their debt in full with some penalty savings instead of getting a settlement.  Some successes are simply arranging payment terms that are the clients’ terms instead of the IRS’ terms.  Just because the IRS wants you to liquidate all of your assets and put every available dollar each month into your back taxes, doesn’t mean you should have to do that, even if you could.  Some cases are successes because a client gets to stay in their home or in the school district that they prefer.  Or on the farm that has been in their family for years. Some of our cases were situations where the team just helped a client pay off their debt in full in the best way possible – to get a lien withdrawal, to allow them time to pay, to facilitate refinancing their home, to qualify for penalty abatement.

Whatever the facts of the case, at Alexander Harris LLC, we will do everything we can to give our clients their own personal success story.