Revenue Officer at Your Door: Here's What to Do
A Revenue Officer is not a phone agent. This is an IRS field collector with a badge, a government car, and the authority to seize your property without a court order. If one showed up at your home or business, what you do next matters.
What Revenue Officers Can Do
File federal tax liens. Levy bank accounts. Garnish wages. Seize vehicles, real estate, and business assets. Padlock your business. They have broad enforcement authority and they use it.
What to Do Right Now
Be polite. Get their name, employee number, and direct phone number. Do not discuss your finances. Do not sign anything. Tell them you're hiring representation and your attorney will contact them. Then call me.
How I Handle Revenue Officers
I file a Power of Attorney and contact the officer directly. I establish a compliance timeline, request that pending enforcement actions be held, and negotiate a resolution. ROs treat represented taxpayers differently than unrepresented ones.
The Longer You Wait
Revenue Officers have deadlines and case quotas. If you ignore them, they escalate. If you engage through an attorney, they negotiate. The dynamic changes completely when you have representation.