Has anyone used LegalShield for IRS streamlined filing tax consultations?

Thanks for this insight! Do you think it would be worthwhile to specifically ask LegalShield if they have attorneys experienced with streamlined filings before signing up? Also, where would you recommend looking for attorneys who specialize in this area? I've looked at a few directories but it's hard to tell who actually has real experience with these procedures.

Absolutely ask LegalShield specifically if they have attorneys with streamlined filing experience before signing up. That's a great approach to avoid wasting your time and money. Be very specific about your needs when asking. For finding specialized attorneys, I'd recommend checking the tax section of your state bar association or looking at the American Bar Association's Section of Taxation. Also, search for attorneys who are former IRS employees, particularly those who worked in international compliance. These individuals often have detailed knowledge of the streamlined filing procedures. You might also check specialized forums like TaxProTalk where professionals discuss these matters - sometimes they mention respected colleagues who handle these cases well.

How long did it take to get answers from taxr.ai? I'm in a bit of a time crunch with my situation and need guidance pretty quickly.

I'm a bit skeptical about online services for something as complex as streamlined filings. Did they actually help with the specific forms and procedures or just give general advice? Those FBAR filings and foreign income declarations are no joke.

For taxr.ai, I usually got responses within 24-48 hours, which is pretty quick considering the depth of analysis they provide. They prioritize urgent cases too, so if you mention your time constraints, they can often expedite the review. Regarding the complexity, I was skeptical too initially, but they actually provided form-specific guidance. They helped me understand exactly which forms I needed for my situation (including the 14653 certification statement for streamlined filings), provided samples, and pointed out the specific sections where people commonly make mistakes. They have specialists with experience in international tax compliance who review cases involving foreign accounts and income reporting.

Wait, how does that even work? The IRS phone system is notoriously terrible. Does this service actually get you to the front of the line somehow?

Sounds like a scam to me. Nobody can magically skip the IRS queue. They're probably just using auto-dialers which is why the IRS phone system is so jammed in the first place. I'll stick to waiting on hold like everyone else.

It doesn't put you at the front of the line or skip the queue. What Claimyr does is use technology to wait on hold for you. They basically call the IRS and navigate the phone tree, then wait in the queue. When they're about to reach an agent, they call you and connect you. So you're still "waiting" the same amount of time technically, but you don't have to physically sit there with a phone to your ear for hours. As for it being a scam, I was skeptical too, but it worked exactly as advertised. They don't ask for any personal tax information - they're just a connection service. You still speak directly with the IRS yourself when an agent becomes available. It's similar to those services restaurants use where they text you when your table is ready instead of making you wait in the lobby.

Do EAs actually handle the legal aspects of streamlined filings though? I thought those required actual attorneys since there can be potential criminal implications with unreported foreign accounts.

EAs can absolutely handle streamlined filings as they're authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audit, collection, and appeal matters. The streamlined filing procedures are specifically designed for taxpayers whose conduct was non-willful, meaning there was no intentional wrongdoing - these cases typically don't involve criminal implications. Where attorneys become necessary is when there's potential criminal exposure or if the non-compliance might be considered willful. If you're concerned your situation might involve willful non-compliance, then yes, you should consult with an attorney who specializes in criminal tax matters. But for the majority of streamlined filing cases where someone simply didn't understand their foreign reporting requirements, an EA or CPA with international tax experience is completely qualified and often more cost-effective.

I worked at H&R Block for 5 tax seasons. While they have some good preparers, most don't have specialized knowledge in international compliance issues like streamlined procedures. Their training focuses primarily on domestic tax matters that affect the average taxpayer. For something as specific as streamlined filings for unreported foreign accounts, you really need a specialist. I'd be very cautious about using a general tax preparation service for this kind of situation.

Thanks for the insider perspective. That's disappointing but good to know before I waste my time. I guess for specialized stuff you really do need specialists, even if it costs more.