Help for Taxpayers

IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman announced in January that the agency will be sensitive to taxpayers stung by the recession.  The IRS will consider suspending collection actions, granting short-term extensions of time to pay, allowing taxpayers to miss a payment under an installment agreement, and revisiting offers-in-compromise to help distressed taxpayers.  The IRS chief has also said that help will only be given to taxpayers who ask and taxpayers must have a history of compliance.