Get help with an unpaid tax balance, an IRS letter, or questions about older returns. Discuss what needs attention first and how payment plans, settlement review, or penalty relief could fit the issue.
Identify what is known
If you are unsure whether a return was filed, explain what records you have rather than assuming that a prepared copy proves submission. Past-due filing questions and a balance already shown by the IRS may require different follow-up.
Discuss the information needed
Ask which tax years require attention and what income or other records would be useful. Filing a past-due return can be important even when full payment is not possible. The relevant filing requirements and payment questions should be discussed separately.
Keep the work understandable
A proposal should explain whether it includes return preparation, account review, notice response, or payment assistance. Ask what remains your responsibility and how missing information will be handled. Keep copies of submissions and relevant confirmation.
Practical questions for your discussion
Describe the specific missing source and the year involved. Ask where it can be obtained and how it supports the account review instead of treating every unknown year as the same problem.
Preserve requests and responses with dates. When a record arrives, update the document field without automatically closing a separate filing or notice task. Ask a preparer which source material is needed to assess the unfinished work. A location tracker should support that conversation while leaving interpretation and filing-status questions open for appropriate review.
Read the current official instructions: IRS guidance on past-due returns.