AnneShade Associates LLC

IRS Offer in Compromise Program – Did You Know?

People who cannot pay their tax bills in full may have options to resolve the situation. One of these options is the Offer in Compromise (OIC) program, which allows eligible taxpayers to settle their debts with the IRS for less than the full amount owed.

Anyone considering an OIC should first check whether they qualify using the IRS Pre-Qualifier tool online (link below). Eligible taxpayers may then submit an application. In most cases, the application must be accompanied by a $205 fee and an initial payment toward the tax debt, although these requirements may be waived for lower-income applicants.

An OIC application requires detailed financial information and must be carefully prepared. Beware of aggressive ads promising to settle tax debts quickly for a small fraction of the amount owed. Companies behind these ads, often referred to as OIC mills, may charge substantial fees while submitting applications for people who have little chance of qualifying. A trusted tax professional can help ensure that an OIC application is complete, accurate, and has a reasonable chance of acceptance.

OIC Pre-Qualifier Online Tool: https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/

Qualifying Dependents – Did You Know?

In addition to your children and parents, a number of other individuals may qualify as your dependents for tax purposes. Important factors can include the person's income, how much support you provide, and how much of the year the person lives with you. In some limited cases, even a non-relative who lives with you year round as a member of your household may qualify as a dependent.

Receiving Online Payments - Did You Know?

If you are self-employed and receive payments through online payment processing platforms, take care to separate business and personal transactions. You can do this by setting up separate business accounts on the platforms, or by using features that allow you to specify the purpose of payments. Otherwise, the platforms may overreport your income.

Updated Withholding Estimator Available for 2026

Having the right amount of tax withheld from your pay protects you against unpleasant spring surprises, while ensuring that you do not unnecessarily sacrifice take-home pay. The IRS recently made important updates to its Withholding Estimator tool (link below), to account for tax law changes enacted in 2025. Those changes include the "No Tax on Tips" and "No Tax on Overtime" deductions, the car loan interest deduction and special deduction for seniors, and the new deduction rules for charitable donations.

Verifying the accuracy of your withholding a couple of times a year is especially important if you and your spouse both work, or if you owed tax this spring, work multiple jobs, or have self-employment or investment income. It is also a good idea to complete a withholding checkup anytime you experience a major life change like marriage, or the birth or adoption of a child. Using the Withholding Estimator typically takes 25 minutes or less, and you do not have to log in or provide any personally identifying information. If an adjustment to your withholding is needed, the tool can help you complete a new W-4 form to submit to your employer.

IRS Withholding Estimator Tool: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator