Dick Norton, EA - Tax Resolution Specialist

23837 Sarda Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(818) 842-5927

 

 

Why Select Me as your Representative?

 

 

 

You already may have visited numerous websites in search of the right person to represent you or to prepare your returns.  There are literally thousands of practitioners offering tax resolution services, tax settlement and tax return preparation services.  Many of these practitioners are very competent and worthy of your trust and business.  Others have no business taking your money when they lack the skills, knowledge, ethics and/or commitment to do the absolute best job in representing or advising you.  In fact, if you used one of these individuals, your situation could become much worse!

 

In fact, one national firm had been the subject of a major investigation.  You can watch the ABC special video report here:  http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/video/taxmasters-investigation-13383312.  One of the former employees of this firm alleged that the company had hired numerous sales people to "sell" their services, yet failed to hire sufficient technical staff to handle their existing client base. 

 

This type of situation WILL make matters worse for their clients as the tax agencies expect and demand timely responses.  I have taken over clients from several large firms in our area where the clients told me that they were "ignored" by the firm's employees.  As a direct result, the IRS and other tax agencies became frustrated and more aggressive - stepping up their enforcement efforts.  

 

Take your time and exercise care in selecting the right representative.  There are many good, competent individuals and firms fully capable and ethical.  Unfortunately, there are many others who will simply take your money and fail to perform.  Do your homework on the Internet by researching sites like Ripoff Report, Better Business Bureau and others with search words such as "tax resolution."  If you have a particular firm in mind, type in the name of the firm and the state.  Be leery of companies with a lot of complaints - even if those complaints appear to have been adequately addressed (responded to) by the company.  Folks generally will not take the time to write an adverse rating unless they are really upset.
 

While I was still working at the IRS, my staff and I encountered all types of representatives.  If a practitioner was really incompetent, we would contact our Washington, D.C. Office of Professional Responsibility (formerly called the Director of Practice) to recommend disciplinary action - including, where warranted, that the individual be barred from representing clients before the IRS.  An incompetent representative not only fails to assist their client with a tax controversy resolution, but often makes matters worse for the taxpayer. 

Determining who you should trust with your financial affairs is a major decision that you should not take lightly.  I can suggest five  reasons why I believe I merit your trust and confidence to help you with your IRS, FTB, EDD or other tax agency audit, appeal, tax controversy or return preparation needs. 

1. EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

First, I have the in-depth tax law and procedural knowledge and inside the IRS experience to effectively represent you.  I understand how the Internal Revenue Service works internally and that allows me to predict how they most likely will approach your particular tax controversy, and even more importantly - how best to get you the least costly resolution or settlement of your tax controversy problem case.  I know the responsibilities and settlement authority of all categories of IRS employees.  I do not waste my time (or my client's money) discussing matters with employees who lack the authority to resolve a particular controversy.   State tax agencies operate similar to the IRS, so my extensive IRS background assists me in working with employees from those other agencies such as the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

2. PERSONALIZED SERVICE DUE TO LIMITED CLIENT BASE

Second, I limit the number of clients that I represent.  This ensures that you will always have quick access to me.  Think of this scenario.  You open your Saturday mail and find a threatening notice from the IRS.  Understandably, you are very concerned and  want to talk now - not later - with your representative about this notice.  With the majority of representation firms, most likely you will be unable to talk to anyone until the following Monday (and that assumes that the individual will return your call at that time...). 

As my client, you will have my home number and cell number so you can call me any time you need to discuss something urgent about your case.  I access my e-mails almost hourly both during the day and evening - seven days a week.  For example, if you receive an unexpected threatening IRS Notice in Saturday's mail, we really should discuss it that Saturday - not the following week.  Scan and email (or fax it) to me.  I will then tell you what it means and how I plan to deal with it so you do not spend the weekend stressed out and unable to sleep or concentrate at work. 

As my existing and former clients will confirm, I am almost always available 7 days a week - from early morning until late at night.  I tell my clients that I do not want them stressed out over a weekend or holiday because of concern about something like a IRS tax notice they need to discuss with me.  I ask them to E-mail or call  me so I can give them an explanation of the Notice and to assure them that I will take whatever action is required on Monday morning. 

Comments I have heard from former and current clients (who left other representatives to have me represent them) convince me that immediate availability and responsiveness are seldom attributes associated with large production-mill firms.  Almost all of these firms advertise extensively on the Internet and occasionally on television or in other media such as radio.  They are lightning-quick to take your hefty retainer, but then - good luck on getting them to actually help you with your tax controversy. 

Here is something for you to consider.  If a tax resolution company requests a very large payment up front (many thousands of dollars, for example), that may be a big warning sign to you - particularly if they offer to represent you for a flat fee.   Consider this.  Once they have all your money, there is NO financial incentive to provide services to you (does this sound like some HMOs?).   Most reputable firms I know in our line of business will ask for a reasonable retainer up front, and then bill you for whatever services are provided in the tax resolution of your case. 

If you are paying for representation, you, the client, have every right to expect timely response to your inquiries and actions on your case.  That often does not happen in a large regional or national firms where each employee is burdened with an unreasonable number of client cases.  Former clients of those firms who left (often forfeiting large retainers) and retained me have shared their frustration with being unable to reach their appointed representative after leaving many voice messages or E-mails.  As a last resort, they go up the chain of command to their representative's superior hoping for (but seldom receiving...) a resolution of their problem.  

If you have been calling one of these firms to discuss representation and not receiving a timely call-back, that should be an immediate and serious warning to you.  Once they have your retainer, their practice may be to ignore you and focus their efforts in finding and signing up even more clients - in spite of the fact they have a fraction of the resources required to timely service all the clients who have retained them!  

If you are currently involved with one of these large firms, have paid a large non-refundable retainer, and are receiving inadequate service, you may wish to retain me as a consultant to assist you in getting your firm to do the right thing on your IRS tax audit, appeal or other IRS, FTB or other state controversy or problem.  You do need to exercise caution when deciding to simply walk away from an existing representation engagement.  Many professionals have early termination clauses or forfeiture of retainer provisions in their Engagement Letters.  Rather than lose your retainer, use my knowledge and experience to make them do what is right!!! 

In my opinion, I represent a serious threat to any firm that is negligent in their fiduciary responsibilities to their client.   I have given defense testimony in the California Superior Court in a multi-million dollar lawsuit as an expert witness in an alleged civil malpractice case involving a CPA.  Use my experience and knowledge to your advantage if you have already paid a significant sum to a representative and you feel that they are not meeting their fiduciary responsibilities to you!    

Whether you retain me, or some other professional, my recommendation is to stay clear of the large production-mill firms.  Many have testimonials on their websites quoting a few clients for whom things went right.  Do not stop there!   I recommend you do some Google research on the firm.   You likely will find extensive adverse feedback from their other clients.  The Better Business Bureau is a good source for information on these firms as well.   For instance, here is a link to one of their reports on a large firm that does an extensive amount of advertising, but (per the BBB), allegedly fails to deliver on their promise.  I do not know if the firm has "cleaned up their act" or not. 

One other point - if you retain my services, you and the tax agency will be working solely and directly with me - not an associate, paralegal or clerical type.  In the large firms, you most likely will be working with an employee who may or may not possess the qualifications and experience to effectively represent you.  And further, as I have heard about one of the large firms in my geographical area, there can be an extensive turnover of their staff.

There are a number of membership organizations that tax resolution specialists (EA's, CPA's and Attorneys) can join.  For example, in addition to the basic United States Treasury licensing requirements, membership in the California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) (or similar organizations of other States), and the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) means that the EA has met continuing educational requirements beyond what the US Treasury requires. 

Any taxpayer seeking help should value a professional who continually strives to keep their skills sharp and current so as to provide them with the best possible representation.  In keeping with this objective, I am a long standing member of NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents), CSEA (California Society of Enrolled Agents), as well as a former member of NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals).

What I believe is important for your consideration is:

(1) that your representative is properly licensed,

(2) is an active member of recognized professional societies,

(3) has the technical skills and experience to maximize the probability of a cost-effective tax controversy resolution, and

(4) has no or very few complaints made to the Better Business Bureau or other rating sites.   

Everything else being equal, I suggest that a representative who has had extensive and successful experience within the Internal Revenue Service should have a better understanding the inner-workings of that agency including its directives, policies and procedures, and thereby would have a higher probability of  negotiating a more expeditious and favorable resolution of a tax controversy.  Again, this is strictly my opinion - and a factor you need to weigh in making a decision for representation.

I do need to state for the record that past employment with the IRS (or a State tax agency) is NOT a guarantee that the individual is best suited for your particular tax dispute.   In fact, I have encountered a few former IRS employees  - both while I was still working for the IRS as well as post-retirement - who I believe have no business representing taxpayers.  By the same token, I have experience in meeting and working with  some representatives who are very skilled and competent in IRS and State collection and audit representation who have had minimal or no inside experience as an IRS, FTB or other state tax agency employee. 

Finally, my clients appreciate the fact that I am available most nights and weekends for priority matters.    As stated previously, my clients have my personal cell and home phone numbers so they can always reach me to assist them with any sort of emergency situation (such as a Notice of Levy or Federal Tax Lien that arrives on a Saturday).  This level of access gives my clients piece of mind knowing that I am just a quick phone call or E-mail away.  You will have to decide just how important it is to having immediate access to your professional representative in pursuing the prompt and effective resolution of your IRS or other agency tax controversy!    Most practitioner offices are closed after hours and on weekends with limited or no means to contact your representative.

3.  COMPETITIVE FEES

Third, my service fees are among the lowest in the industry.  Why?  Here are some reasons:

I keep my costs down by minimizing advertising costs and expensive office space.   My clients come by way of this website (that ranks high on Google and other search engines) and by referrals (often from other practitioners who have a client that needs my level of  experience). 

I utilize very high-speed computers, super-fast Internet access, LaCerte tax software, and a comprehensive on-line tax research service that reduce my time in providing tax services for tax resolution (representation), return preparation and tax research.  I also subscribe to Core Logic Research (formally Data Quick) - a research service IRS and often State employees use to review a taxpayer's public records.  I am authorized to directly access the IRS database (through eServices) and the FTB online database.  Quick access to IRS and State tax information about your account is important.  On this last point, wouldn't you agree that it is critical that your representative know what the IRS knows about you when negotiating the resolution of your tax case?    

I recommend that you ask other representatives you are considering for retention - "What research services do you subscribe to in your practice?"  If they do not subscribe to a high-end service, then I would recommend you continue looking.   While purchasing this level of sophisticated  research access is expensive, the bottom line is that these great products enable me to resolve cases more quickly (saving me time - and you fees). This reduces my overall costs to provide representation.  I have selected Parker Tax Library for my practice because of their extensive and current content, high level of support and competitive pricing.

Lastly, I have a comfortable retirement pension from the IRS, so I can afford to keep my fees down since representing clients is not the sole source of my livelihood.   

4. Client Participation Encouraged in the Process to Reduce Representation Costs

Fourth, I encourage my clients to do as much of the preparation work (following my guidance) on their case as possible.  Why pay me (or any other professional) to create adding machine tapes of receipts, or to fill in basic information on forms?  You should NOT have to pay a professional to do these simple tasks!  What you need tax resolution assistance for are the following:  

Many of my clients have significant liabilities with the IRS or other tax agencies - and often hefty debts with other creditors.  The absolute last thing they need are expensive representation fees to add to their financial burden.  Therefore, I strive to find ways to help clients conserve their precious resources by encouraging them to do as much "leg-work" on their own case as possible.  That minimizes the fees they have to pay for my professional services in tax representation / tax controversy resolution.   

One way I accomplish this for my tax controversy clients is to provide them with both the required and current PDF fill-in forms, along with guidance for their completion.  Once my client completes and E-mails me the forms, I carefully review them for errors, inconsistent or unclear entries, and then work with my client to make whatever changes are necessary, or additional attachments that I deem are necessary to ensure favorable acceptance by the tax agency. 

I want to stress that all of my clients work EXCLUSIVE WITH ME - not with an assistant or clerk.  That is not a standard practice in the industry with large firms.  The CEO, CFO or other head person for a firm may be well qualified; however, is it unlikely (in my experience) that they ever will be personally involved in your case - unless something goes terribly wrong and you end up complaining.  So, I suggest that is a factor that you need to carefully consider.

My clients appreciate the opportunity to minimize their total cost for my services to just those specific areas (such as face-to-face or over the phone negotiation with the IRS or State agency) where they really need my skills for resolving their tax controversy.

5.  Focused on Continuing Education with Powerful Research Resources

Finally,  it is important that your representative keep current on new tax developments - legislation, litigation and tax agency procedural changes.  I receive periodic updates (tax law changes, court decisions, tax agency procedural changes, etc) in the areas of my practice so that I can continue to provide the best possible service to my clients.  I also subscribe to Data Quick - an online service that provides invaluable information to help in the resolution of tax disputes.  Without these tools, no representative (in my opinion) can effectively represent you before the IRS - or any other tax agency. 

In addition to this research service, I have often attended the annual CSEA Super Seminars.   This is an outstanding opportunity for me and many other EA's, CPA's and attorneys to keep abreast of the latest trends, laws and procedural updates through presentations from highly respected tax attorneys and other professionals from around the U. S.  I also am an active member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the California Society of Enrolled Agents.  These organizations provide valuable materials, updates and resources that assist their members in providing their clients with effective representation and guidance.

I hope these five reasons merit your confidence in my ability to effectively represent you in your IRS or State tax controversy, or to provide you with tax preparation or consultation services.  I take my representation responsibilities to my clients very seriously.  Much of my practice is based upon referrals.   Working closely and effectively with clients in getting them the best possible resolution or settlement to their tax controversy is the most effective means to grow a business based upon client recommendations.