Owing back taxes can create significant financial stress, especially when penalties, interest, and collection efforts continue to grow. If you're struggling with IRS or state tax debt, Richard Hughes provides experienced legal guidance to help you understand your options and work toward a lasting solution.
For more than 30 years, Richard Hughes has helped individuals and families throughout East Texas resolve tax problems through practical, personalized legal strategies. Whether you're facing wage garnishments, tax liens, levies, or overwhelming IRS debt, our office is committed to protecting your finances and helping you move forward with confidence.
Understand Tax Debt Relief
The IRS has powerful collection tools available when taxes go unpaid. They can garnish wages, levy bank accounts, place liens on your property, and continue adding penalties and interest until the debt is resolved.
Richard Hughes carefully reviews your financial situation, explains your rights under federal tax law, and recommends the relief option that best fits your circumstances. Every strategy is tailored to your financial goals, income, and ability to repay.
Tax Relief Objectives
Every tax case is unique. Our goal is to help you resolve your tax debt in a realistic way while protecting your income and assets whenever possible.
Reduce or Eliminate Tax Debt
While bankruptcy is one way to deal with tax debt, it certainly isn’t the only option.
The Currently Not Collectible Program (CNC)
If paying your tax debt would create significant financial hardship, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible status. This temporarily stops IRS collection efforts until your financial circumstances improve.
The Offer in Compromise Program (OIC)
Some taxpayers qualify to settle their IRS debt for less than the full amount owed through an Offer in Compromise. If approved, this program may significantly reduce your tax liability, including certain penalties and interest.
Installment Agreements
If paying your balance in full isn't possible, an IRS installment agreement may allow you to repay your taxes through affordable monthly payments. Richard Hughes can help determine the payment plan that best fits your budget.
Withdrawal of Tax Liens and Levies
Unpaid taxes can result in liens against your property or levies on your wages and bank accounts. Richard Hughes works quickly to help stop collection actions and pursue the release or withdrawal of liens and levies whenever possible.
Innocent Spouse Relief
If you're being held responsible for tax debt caused by your current or former spouse, you may qualify for Innocent Spouse Relief. Richard Hughes has extensive experience handling both tax and family law matters and can help determine whether this option applies to your case.
Settle IRS Debt
You don't have to face the IRS alone. Richard Hughes will explain every available option, communicate directly with taxing authorities on your behalf, and work toward the best possible outcome for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can filing for bankruptcy help me with tax debt in Texas?
In some situations, bankruptcy may provide relief from certain tax debts. Chapter 7 may eliminate qualifying tax obligations, while Chapter 13 allows eligible debts to be repaid through a court-approved repayment plan.
Because tax discharge rules are complex, Richard Hughes can review your situation and determine whether bankruptcy is an appropriate option.
What are my other options for resolving tax debt besides bankruptcy in Texas?
Bankruptcy is only one possible solution. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for an IRS payment plan, an Offer in Compromise, Currently Not Collectible status, penalty relief, or Innocent Spouse Relief.
Richard Hughes will explain each option and recommend the strategy that best fits your financial goals.
How can a bankruptcy and tax debt attorney help me in Texas?
An experienced tax attorney can review your financial situation, communicate directly with the IRS, prepare and file required paperwork, negotiate payment plans or settlements, and represent you during hearings when necessary.
Having legal representation helps protect your rights while reducing the stress of dealing with complicated tax matters.
Contact Richard Hughes for a Complimentary Tax Relief Consultation
If IRS or state tax debt is affecting your financial future, Richard Hughes can help you understand your options and develop a strategy for lasting relief.
Contact our Athens office today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your tax debt.
IRS Tax Debt FAQs
Can the IRS take my property or garnish my wages?
Yes. The IRS has the authority to collect unpaid taxes through wage garnishments, bank levies, and property seizures. They may also place federal tax liens against your assets.
Before taking these actions, the IRS must send a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing, giving you the opportunity to respond.
If you've received one of these notices, contact Richard Hughes as soon as possible. Early legal intervention can often improve your available options.
What are some ways I can find relief from tax debt?
There are several ways to address tax debt depending on your financial circumstances. Richard Hughes will evaluate your case and explain which options may provide the greatest benefit.
Potential tax relief solutions include:
- Currently Not Collectible (CNC)
- Offer in Compromise
- IRS Installment Agreements
- Innocent Spouse Relief
- Bankruptcy, when appropriate
Our goal is to reduce your tax burden whenever possible and create a repayment strategy that works for your financial situation.
Should I file my taxes if I can’t pay the full amount that I owe?
Yes, you should still submit your tax return even if you cannot pay the balance in full.
Leaving a return unfiled can trigger additional penalties and limit your options later. Filing on time helps preserve access to relief programs such as payment plans, short-term extensions, Offer in Compromise, and Currently Not Collectible status.
If you are unsure how to proceed, Richard Hughes can review your situation and help you choose the best next step.
Can a lawyer negotiate with the IRS on my behalf?
Yes. Richard Hughes can represent you before the IRS, respond to notices, negotiate payment arrangements or settlements, and help resolve your tax concerns.
Having an experienced attorney manage IRS communications can help you avoid mistakes while working toward the most favorable outcome possible.
What happens if I ignore IRS collection efforts?
Ignoring IRS notices can lead to growing penalties and interest, tax liens, wage garnishments, bank levies, property seizures, and other collection actions.
If you have received IRS notices and are unsure how to respond, it is important to seek legal guidance before the matter becomes more serious.
When should I contact a lawyer if I receive a notice from the IRS?
You should contact a tax attorney as soon as you receive an IRS notice if you are unsure what it means or how to respond.
Richard Hughes can review the notice, explain your rights, and help you take the proper steps before additional collection actions begin.