Questions before a first meeting

The letter, if you have it, and any other tax letters from the last few years. If you don't have the letter, the notice number and the date will do.

Yes, once you've contacted the firm in confidence. Before you've signed an engagement letter we aren't your lawyers, though, so please keep Social Security numbers and account details out of the first message.

Almost certainly not. The IRS writes first, by mail. Don't give card numbers to a caller, and send us the letter if there is one.

Yes. We meet on a screen as often as in the Naperville office, and you can send documents after the first meeting by whichever route we agree.

Often, yes, and with other states' departments in some cases. We'll tell you at the first meeting if a matter needs a different office.

Tell us honestly. For some notices a fixed fee is within reach, and where it isn't we'll say so and point you to the IRS's own help for people who can't pay for one.

No. We take over when there's a letter, a balance or a dispute. We'll work with your accountant, or help you find one.

Once we have your signed authorization, the agency can write to and call us. It may still send you copies of what it sends us.