Owing the IRS doesn’t automatically mean you need an Offer in Compromise.

An Offer in Compromise can be a valuable resolution option, but it isn’t the right solution for every taxpayer. Depending on your circumstances, an installment agreement, penalty abatement, Currently Not Collectible status, or another strategy may provide a better path forward.

The right strategy depends on the facts: how much you owe, your income and assets, your monthly expenses, whether all required tax returns have been filed, how much time remains for the IRS to collect, and what caused the tax problem in the first place.

That’s why effective tax resolution should start with an investigation—not with choosing a program.

First, understand the problem. Then, evaluate the available options and develop a strategy based on the taxpayer’s specific circumstances.