Industry Group to Battle Tax Resolution Scams
WASHINGTON, DC (March 28, 2011) : Taxpayers beset by the proliferation of scam artists purporting to offer help in reconciling taxes owed and issues with the IRS have a new watchdog on their side. Leading providers of tax resolution service companies, including enrolled agents, tax lawyers, and CPAs, have united to form the Tax Problem Resolution Services Coalition (TPRSC), whose purpose is to promote and ensure the protection of taxpayers from unfair and deceptive advertising claims by unscrupulous delinquent tax representation providers. With the IRS stepping up its enforcement action, and difficult economic times hitting many taxpayers hard, scam artists increasingly prey on clientele readily pulled in by false and unfounded promises of tax relief.
“Quite simply, it’s time to put an end to the unfair and deceptive advertising claims and inappropriate practices of the scam artists and crooks who hold themselves out as tax relief firms,” said Michael Rozbruch, founder and CEO of Tax Resolution Services, Co. (TRS), in Encino, Calif. “I am part of TPRSC to help educate and protect consumers. What many people don’t realize is that TPRSC member firms provide the American consumer much more than just establishing payment plans, penalty removal, and Offers in Compromise. We are a voice, an advocate, a mediator for the consumer who is the David about to face Goliath in a showdown.”
Adds Kathy Hill, co-owner and CEO of Tax Tiger, Inc., of Sacramento, “During tax time, in particular, vulnerable and stressed taxpayers are bombarded with television commercials, Internet ads, emails, and other communications. Some of these are legitimate and some are just outright false promises.” Many consumers have been bilked by demands of upfront or escalating fees with little or no relief to show from it. “This coalition unites the efforts of different segments of the industry to ensure that taxpayers are protected,” said Hill.
The coalition was founded by Michael Rozbruch of Tax Resolution Services, Co., Kathy Hill of Tax Tiger, Inc., Lawrence Lawler of the American Society of Tax Problem Resolvers, and Byron Pedersen of Instant Tax Solutions, LLC. The TPRSC (now 35 members and growing) will work with state and federal regulators to identify best practices in protecting consumers from deceptive advertising. They seek the enactment of legislation to rein in questionable practices, create more disclosure, cause greater transparency of services, and provide redress for taxpayers. As part of its mandate, TPRSC has crafted its own proposed federal and state legislation to protect taxpayers from unscrupulous practices.
“As national director of the leading association that requires certification and continuing education, we believe that these same fundamentals should be mandated by law so that all practitioners have to meet quality standards,” said Lawrence M. Lawler, national director of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, a national not-for-profit organization of attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents specializing in representing taxpayers before the IRS.
The Tax Problem Resolution Services Coalition (TPRSC) represents the efforts of a broad spectrum of the industry located throughout the United States. Its mission is to promote and ensure the protection of taxpayers from unfair and deceptive advertising claims by unscrupulous delinquent tax representation providers. The coalition welcomes additional members that support this mission. The coalition’s work will be reported through its new web page at www.taxproblemresolutionservicescoalition.com.
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