Course Description:

More than 24 million individuals and businesses currently owe back taxes to the IRS. Yet in 2025, only 7,199 taxpayers successfully secured an Offer in Compromise (OIC) — the IRS program that allows eligible taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed. So why do so few qualify?

This course will demystify the IRS Offer in Compromise process. You'll learn how the program works, who qualifies, and how to determine whether it's the right solution for your financially distressed clients.

We’ll explore the following key areas:

• • Eligibility requirements and qualification tests
  • How to calculate a realistic settlement amount
  • Step-by-step guidance from initial assessment to final IRS determination
  • Case studies of both individual and business OICs
  • Common reasons why OICs are denied
  • Alternatives to the OIC when clients don’t qualify — including installment agreements and currently not collectible (CNC) status 

• IRS Collection and Tax Debt Update
• IRS Collection rules and alternatives to full payment
• Determining ability to pay
• How the IRS Offer in Compromise works
• OIC Process and Case Example
• Business OICs

Learning Objectives:

• Explain IRS collection trends, including utilization of the IRS offer in compromise program
• Explain the IRS offer in compromise program and how it works
• Identify whether a client qualifies for an offer in compromise
• Explain how to calculate the amount they need to settle their tax bill
• Identify the potential issues that will disqualify a client from an OIC
• Identify other IRS collection alternatives that may better fit your client's circumstances
• Identify approximately how many taxpayers owe the IRS back taxes based on a 2024 estimate
• Identify the percentage of IRS Collection agreements that are ETP/SLIAs
• Identify the standard QSV on vehicles, boats, and planes 

Credits and Other information:

• Credit: 2 hours (Taxes)
• Level: Basic
• Format: Live online webinar
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Requirement: Full attendance
• Prep: None needed

Who Will Benefit:

• CPA
• Enrolled Agents (EAs)
• Tax Professionals
• Attorneys
• Other Tax Preparers
• Finance professionals
• Financial planners

Speaker: Jim Buttonow

Jim Buttonow, CPA, CITP, has been a leader in helping taxpayers and tax professionals resolve tax problems with the IRS.

For 19 years, Jim worked at the IRS in various compliance enforcement positions. Since 2006, Jim has been in private practice and tax and accounting software development. Jim consulting practice focuses on the areas of tax controversy and tax administration. Jim led product development and marketing for a successful software company that developed tax problem software for tax professionals. This software is currently being used by thousands of tax professionals and businesses in the United States.

Jim has been an IRS partner in improving IRS operations and post-filing service to taxpayers. Jim served as chairperson of the IRS Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) in 2015 and 2016 during which ETAAC played a central role in promoting the IRS digital strategy to develop transformative technology solutions to systemic challenges in tax administration. Jim also served as the North Carolina representative on the IRS’ Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) from 2020-2022.