Frequently Asked Questions

Request Currently Non-Collectible status or propose an Installment Agreement to halt enforcement immediately. The IRS must pause active levies once you've initiated formal relief negotiations. Local representation ensures state and federal levies are addressed simultaneously without requiring large upfront retainers.

Livingston County residents file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Chapter 7 liquidates qualifying debt, while Chapter 13 restructures payments over three to five years. Accurate application of Michigan exemptions protects more assets when filed by local counsel familiar with district procedures.

The IRS evaluates monthly income, allowable living expenses, and asset equity to determine your ability to pay. Self-employed individuals across the I-96 and US-23 corridors often qualify when income volatility or business debts reduce repayment capacity below the full liability amount.

Relief separates your liability from joint tax debt your former spouse created or understated. You must prove lack of knowledge about the error and demonstrate that holding you liable would be unfair. Taxpayers in Brighton, South Lyon, and Milford use this pathway to clear liabilities they didn't cause.

CNC status halts bank levies, wage garnishments, and other collection actions when full repayment creates financial hardship. The IRS pauses enforcement while the statute of limitations continues to run, allowing debts to expire if your financial situation doesn't improve within the collection window.

Entity selection affects personal liability protection and long-term tax treatment differently for LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and PLLCs. Incorrect structuring creates exposure entrepreneurs in Brighton, Novi, and Milford discover only during audits or lawsuits. Formation documents prepared with tax implications in mind prevent costly reorganizations later.

Income tax debts qualify for discharge if the tax year is at least three years old, the return was filed at least two years ago, and the IRS assessed the debt over 240 days prior. Meeting all three rules allows bankruptcy to eliminate qualifying tax liabilities alongside other dischargeable debts.

National firms charge high upfront fees, then route cases to paralegals unfamiliar with Michigan court procedures. Local representation at 726 W Grand River Ave provides direct attorney access and familiarity with district processes across Washtenaw, Oakland, and Livingston counties without large retainer minimums.

Unpaid payroll taxes trigger Trust Fund Recovery Penalties against business owners personally. Installment agreements keep operations running while addressing unfiled business returns and state tax audits. Business owners in Brighton, Lyon Township, and Wixom resolve liabilities without shutting down by setting up compliant payment plans quickly.

Call 810-355-6009 to schedule an initial consultation at the Brighton office location. Weekday and weekend appointments are available for clients throughout Livingston, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties within a 20-mile service radius.

Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets to discharge unsecured debt within months, while Chapter 13 restructures debt into a three-to-five-year repayment plan. Chapter 13 protects assets you'd lose in Chapter 7 and allows you to catch up on secured debts like mortgages or car loans while under court protection.

The IRS proceeds with seizing bank accounts or garnishing wages without further warning once the levy notice period expires. Ignoring notices accelerates enforcement rather than delaying it. Initiating Currently Non-Collectible status, Installment Agreements, or Offer in Compromise negotiations stops collection actions before accounts are frozen.

We assist individuals and families across Brighton and Livingston County with comprehensive estate planning services. Our tailored services include drafting wills, establishing revocable and irrevocable trusts, setting up durable powers of attorney, preparing financial and medical healthcare directives, and navigating trust administration.

Online templates often fail to account for specific Michigan probate laws, tax implications, or unique family dynamics. Working directly with attorney John D. Harrington ensures your legal documents are properly executed, fully customized, and coordinated with your broader tax and financial strategy.

Estate planning and tax resolution are closely linked. By incorporating tax strategy directly into your estate plan, we help minimize potential federal and state estate tax burdens, protect real estate and business assets, and prevent unexpected tax liabilities for your beneficiaries.

Yes. Depending on your situation, structuring your assets using irrevocable trusts or specific business entities (such as LLCs) can offer asset protection benefits. As both a tax resolution and estate planning attorney, John D. Harrington helps align your debt resolution strategies with your long-term wealth preservation goals.

A last will and testament outlines how your assets are distributed upon your passing, but it must go through Michigan probate court. A revocable living trust allows your assets to pass privately to your heirs without going through probate, saving your family time, court fees, and privacy. During your initial consultation, we'll evaluate your financial picture to determine whether a trust or a will-based plan fits best.

You should review your estate plan every 3 to 5 years, or immediately following major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying real estate, starting or selling a business, or significant changes in tax legislation.

Starting is simple and pressure-free. Contact our Brighton office at (810) 355-6009 or schedule a free initial consultation online. You will work directly with John D. Harrington from start to finish to discuss your goals and build a personalized plan.

While our main office is located in Brighton, MI, we regularly serve clients throughout Livingston County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Southfield, Flint, and Bloomfield Hills.