Facing IRS Tax Debt or Back Taxes in Louisiana? Here's What to Do Next.

When an IRS notice arrives or a levy hits your bank account, the worst thing you can do is wait. A board-certified tax attorney in Baton Rouge can help you understand exactly where you stand and what options are available before the situation gets harder to resolve.

What Brings Most People to This Page

Most clients who contact us about tax relief aren't here because they made a reckless decision. They fell behind during a difficult year, received a notice they didn't understand, or realized they had unfiled returns they didn't know how to address. These situations are more common than you think, and they are almost always fixable.

 

The specific triggers we hear most often:

 

  • IRS notices threatening collection action or audit
  • Unfiled federal or state tax returns from prior years
  • Wage garnishment or bank levies already in progress
  • Federal or state tax liens filed against property
  • Penalty and interest balances that have grown well beyond the original tax owed
  • Payroll tax problems for business owners

You're Not Out of Options

It is rarely too late to start fixing a tax problem. The IRS has formal resolution programs — installment agreements, offers in compromise, penalty abatement, and currently-not-collectible status, among others — and a qualified tax attorney can evaluate which of those applies to your specific situation. The key is getting an accurate read on where you stand before assuming the worst.

What Happens If You Keep Waiting

Ignoring an IRS tax debt does not make the balance go away. Penalties and interest compound. Collection actions escalate. A lien can become a levy. The IRS has broad authority to collect what it's owed, and it will use that authority if a taxpayer remains unresponsive. Acting sooner almost always produces a better outcome than acting after the next notice arrives.

Why Working with a Local Tax Attorney Matters

National tax-resolution companies advertise heavily, and their call centers are easy to find. What they can't offer is a named, board-certified attorney who knows your file, answers your calls directly, and represents you personally before the IRS. At Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, your tax relief case is handled by Carl Goode — not a rotating staff of intake specialists.

 

Carl holds a Super Lawyers designation he has maintained for approximately 15 years, placing him in the top 5% of Louisiana attorneys. He also holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer-review rating available in the legal profession. When you call this firm, you speak with the attorney working your case.

IRS Tax Debt Help in Louisiana: What We Can Do

Tax relief is not a single solution. It is a process of evaluating your specific tax liability, your financial position, and the IRS's current collection posture — then pursuing the resolution path that produces the best outcome for your situation.

 

We assist clients with:

 

  • Responding to IRS notices and correspondence
  • Negotiating installment agreements for manageable monthly payments
  • Evaluating eligibility for an Offer in Compromise to settle for less than the full amount owed
  • Requesting penalty abatement when circumstances justify it
  • Stopping or releasing wage garnishments and bank levies
  • Resolving unfiled returns to bring a taxpayer back into compliance
  • Addressing state tax debt with the Louisiana Department of Revenue

How We Handle Tax Relief Cases

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Step One: Free Initial Phone Consultation

We start every tax relief matter with a free initial phone consultation. You describe your situation, we ask the questions that matter, and by the end of the call you have a clear picture of what you're dealing with and what your options are. No obligation, no pressure.

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Step Two: Case Review and Strategy

Once we engage, we pull together the full picture — tax transcripts, notices, current IRS status, and any prior correspondence. From there, we identify the resolution paths available to you and explain the tradeoffs of each in plain language.

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Step Three: Direct Representation Before the IRS

We handle all IRS communication on your behalf. That means you stop receiving calls and notices directly, and every interaction with the IRS goes through us. Our goal is a documented resolution that stops collection action and puts you on a path to compliance.

Can a Tax Attorney Stop an IRS Levy?

Yes — in many cases, a tax attorney can intervene to stop or release an IRS levy, but timing matters. Once a levy is in place, the window to act is narrow. If you have received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy or a Notice of Your Right to a Hearing, contact an attorney immediately. These notices trigger a 30-day window during which collection action can be challenged through a Collection Due Process hearing. Missing that window significantly limits your options.

 

If a levy is already active, resolution is still possible, but the process changes. An attorney can negotiate directly with the IRS to release the levy as part of a broader resolution agreement — but the sooner that process begins, the better the outcome tends to be.

Common Questions About Tax Relief in Louisiana

  • What do I do if I owe back taxes in Louisiana?

    The first step is understanding exactly what you owe and to whom — the IRS, the Louisiana Department of Revenue, or both. A tax attorney can pull your tax transcripts, identify all outstanding balances, and determine which resolution options apply. The worst move is to ignore the debt, since penalties and interest continue to accrue and collection actions escalate over time.

  • Can a tax attorney stop an IRS levy?

    In many cases, yes. If you have received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, you have a 30-day window to request a Collection Due Process hearing, which pauses collection action while the matter is reviewed. If a levy is already active, an attorney can still negotiate its release as part of a broader resolution agreement. Acting quickly gives you the most options.

  • What is an Offer in Compromise and do I qualify?

    An Offer in Compromise allows eligible taxpayers to settle their federal tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The IRS evaluates your income, expenses, assets, and overall ability to pay before accepting an offer. Not everyone qualifies, and the application process is detailed — but for taxpayers who do qualify, it can produce a significant reduction in total liability.

  • How long does tax relief take?

    It depends on the resolution path. An installment agreement can often be established within a few weeks. An Offer in Compromise typically takes six months to a year for the IRS to evaluate. Penalty abatement requests vary. Your attorney can give you a realistic timeline once your specific situation has been reviewed.

  • Is there a penalty for unfiled tax returns in Louisiana?

    Yes. The IRS and the Louisiana Department of Revenue both assess penalties for failure to file, separate from any failure-to-pay penalties on outstanding balances. In some cases, the failure-to-file penalty is larger than the failure-to-pay penalty. Getting unfiled returns submitted — even late — typically stops the failure-to-file penalty from growing and is a required step in most IRS resolution programs.

One Call to Find Out Where You Actually Stand

If you have an IRS notice sitting on your desk, a levy that's already hit, or back taxes you've been putting off, the free initial phone consultation is the right next step. You'll speak directly with a board-certified tax attorney, get a straight answer about your situation, and leave the call knowing what your options are. Call us at 225-663-8076 or use the form below to get in touch.