Innovative Strategies For Winning Tax Controversies, Business Structuring And Estate Planning

Civil Penalty For Employment Taxes IRC Sec. 6672

Do you have the authority to sign checks or pay bills for a business? Signing checks can make you liable. Even if you are not an officer or owner of a business, the IRS can attack you for the “withheld” taxes. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6672, the IRS can make any “responsible” person individually liable for the amount of money that should have been withheld in employees’ paychecks and was not paid to the government.

This process is usually started by a Revenue Officer (IRS collection agent) who issues a notice of finding of responsibility. Most people ignore the letter thinking it will go away. If a challenge is not made within 90 days, the IRS will issue an assessment against the individual. The IRS will then file a federal tax lien, which is like a judgment and slams your credit score.

Even if one person is found “responsible,” the IRS can still go after others. It is not a matter where you are only responsible for your share. Each person is 100% liable. The IRS can levy wages, and take bank accounts and other assets.

In addition to civil penalties, the IRS sometimes prosecutes people for failing to file or pay payroll taxes. The IRS has announced a new push to file criminal as well as civil actions. Some struggling business owners spend many years in jail because they chose to pay the light bill to keep the business open and did not pay taxes.

This process is quite complex but can be fought if the matter is handled quickly by a good tax attorney.

To find out more, contact Ronald J. Cappuccio, J.D., LL.M. (Tax) by calling 856-665-2121 or send us an email.