ACS Collections may contact you if you have unpaid taxes and the IRS is coming after you. ACS is a debt collection agency that the IRS contracts with to collect back taxes.
If ACS contacts you, it’s essential to know your rights and what to do next.
This article will tell you more about who ACS is and what you can expect during the debt collection process.
Who is ACS collection agency?
ACS is an IRS contact center with branches in many states. ACS sends out computer-generated notifications demanding payment, and ACS agents take inbound calls due to those notifications. However, they also contact delinquent customers and take limited collection steps.
What does ACS stand for IRS? The acronym ACS stands for IRS’ Advanced Collection Services.
Because the IRS wants to collect taxes as quickly and efficiently as possible, it has a lot of accounts assigned to it. ACS processes are computerized and automated.
The IRS will most likely assign your account to the ACS for collection unless you owe more than $100,000 in taxes.
However, the IRS sometimes delegates certain uncomplicated instances over $100,000 to ACS. If ACS neglects an account, the IRS may send it to a Revenue Officer for enforcement in more severe measures.
How the IRS’s Automated Collection System
When the IRS assigns your case to ACS, you will not communicate with any particular or named agent. You will talk with the first available agent when you call, who may be after a lengthy hold of 15 to 30 minutes or even an hour.
When you call ACS, you will almost always have to describe your situation, whether you’ve phoned numerous times before.
Some agents take notes when they communicate with you and enter them into their system, but some are more successful at it than others. The agent who answers your call to get up to speed must read through the notes. After a few conversations, this can all become tedious.
ACS handles smaller accounts and those in the early stages of the collection process. As a result, ACS agents have the least training of any IRS representatives that interact with consumers.
ACS Customer Service Review
You’ll discover that some representatives are far more helpful than others. If you call in and obtain an ACS agent with a chip on their shoulder, consider calling back later when you’re almost sure to get a different representative. Remember, when it comes to money, deal with someone reasonably.
Because you do not have a specific agent assigned to your case, collection activities may be hit or miss. ACS software programs prioritize taxes owing by amount and duration of time.
When a client owes more money but doesn’t pay it immediately, the IRS agents will follow up most aggressively on more significant taxes, especially when they are older. Agents may start collection efforts on these “prioritized” taxes owed right away, but they won’t get around to dealing with newer, smaller tax debts for months.
What’s the difference between ACS Agent and Revenue Officer
You may get tired of waiting on hold every time you call ACS only to be connected with an agent with who you haven’t spoken before. You might feel that you’re making no progress, and you aren’t always.
You may ultimately want to ask for your account to be moved over to a Revenue Officer if you decide that this is the best option for you. ACS has leeway in transferring it, but the IRS will consider your request. However, understand the disadvantages first.
ACS Collections Agent
A taxpayer usually has the assurance of speaking with someone when calling ACS.
Revenue Officer
If the IRS places your account in the hands of a Revenue Officer, you generally can only communicate with him or her. If they’re not there, leave a message and hope to hear back from them soon.
Can the IRS show up unannounced?
Yes, When a Revenue Officer overlooks your case, the IRS appears to become more personal than you might want. Your Revenue Officer may drop by for unannounced inspections from time to time.
Why did an IRS revenue officer come by?
An IRS Revenue Officer’s unannounced arrival in your home may ruin any day. These visits can be used as a bullying tool to get you to pay up.
Before you can resolve your case, you may need to meet with your Revenue Officer several times in person at their workplace or your house.
How late can acs come to your house?
On the other hand, the Revenue Officer works regular business hours Monday through Friday. It doesn’t matter that those are the same days you work.
You may be forced to work with a revenue officer if you have no other choice.
It’s easy to assume that working exclusively with one Revenue Officer is advantageous. It can be, especially if you’re dealing with the IRS for the first time. There are no extended hold times while waiting for an ACS agent who isn’t familiar with your tax situation.
However, the Revenue Officer assigned to your account is a coin toss. You won’t work with ACS until the IRS assigns your case to a Revenue Officer.
It’s also challenging to have your case assigned to a different Revenue Officer if it’s unpleasant or intractable. Consider that Revenue Officers have more authority over your property than ACS does.
Alternative to Transfer to a Revenue Officer
If you believe that your talks with ACS are fruitless and will not transfer you to a Revenue Officer, or if you do not want them to send your case to a Revenue Officer, you can request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing.
It will prevent the IRS from collecting your debts until the hearing is completed. You’ll be sent to the IRS Office of Appeals, where you can attempt to negotiate terms with a possible more reasonable Settlement Officer.
Although ACS agents are less skilled and competent, these people are better trained and informed.
However, there is no assurance that they will be less challenging to deal with in the long run. Within 30 days after you receive a Notice of Federal Tax Lien or a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, you can request a CDP hearing. Your hearing date is likely to be several months or even longer before then.
Overview of ACS Collections
ACS, for example, can generate levy notifications and seize your bank account and withhold your earnings if you do not pay the tax. This information is typically already in their database.
The IRS, for example, may have your bank and employee records such as W2s and 1099s. ACS must send you a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and a Notice of Your Right to a Hearing before issuing a levy.
The IRS will mail you a levy notice, and the clock starts ticking on your 30-day appeal window. If you don’t file an appeal within the first 30 days, the levy will be effective for another 90 days. The IRS may extend your deadline to file a request under certain circumstances.
Can ACS Collections seize your house, personal property, or business assets?
ACS can’t seize your house, personal property, or business assets, and it can’t file lawsuits. When your account has advanced to a critical stage, it will be transferred to a local IRS Revenue Officer (RO).
You will be unable to deal with ACS after this point. It’s time to worry if you call ACS, and they tell you that an IRS collection agency has taken on your case.
The IRS will assign an RO to file a lawsuit to seize your home, personal belongings, and business assets. If you haven’t already, it’s time to contact a tax professional right now.
How to contact ACS collections services
If you receive a notice demanding payment from the IRS, take it seriously. Call ACS at the phone number on the letter or 1-800-829-1040.
Tax Professionals can help with ACS debt collections
The IRS provides several alternatives for IRS debt relief. If you’re not sure what to do, our team of tax specialists can walk you through the process of dealing with ACS and the rest of the IRS bureaucracy.
