Who Needs a Sales Tax Relief Attorney?
If you are a business owner or an ex-business owner that owes uncollected or unremitted sales tax to the Georgia Department of Revenue (GDOR), then you are most likely looking for a tax attorney that deals with sales tax.
Considering a Payment Plan?
If you have a substantial amount of sales tax owed to the State, you are probably thinking about getting on a payment plan.
Payment plans are never a one-size-fits-all policy with the State as they tend to be with the IRS.
For example, the IRS will give a taxpayer a 60-month streamline payment plan for debts under $25,000.00, regardless of how much the taxpayer earns.
How Georgia Payment Plans Work
Open Businesses
In the case of sales tax, if your business is currently open, you may get a payment plan between 12-60 months. This depends on:
- How many payment plans you may have had in the past
- The amount due
- Whether you can make a down payment
Closed Businesses
If your business is now closed, you have the most latitude and can hope for a payment plan closer to the 60-month mark.
What If Your Business Is Still Operating?
However, if your business is currently open and you are seeking a payment plan, the State knows that you are also in a mode of desperation and will want to hit you with the most aggressive payment plan possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sales tax relief attorney do?
A sales tax relief attorney helps businesses or former business owners negotiate with the Georgia Department of Revenue when they owe uncollected or unremitted sales tax. They can assist in setting up payment plans, disputing liabilities, and avoiding aggressive collection actions.
Who qualifies for a Georgia sales tax payment plan?
Both open and closed businesses may qualify. Open businesses typically receive payment terms from 12–60 months, influenced by prior payment plans, the amount owed, and ability to make a down payment. Closed businesses generally have more flexibility, often qualifying for plans closer to the 60-month mark.
Is it easier to get a payment plan if my business is closed?
Yes. Closed businesses are usually granted more lenient terms by the State, as they’re no longer generating revenue and are viewed as less of a collection risk compared to operating businesses.
Why are payment plans with Georgia not like the IRS?
Unlike the IRS, which often uses a fixed formula (e.g., 60-month streamlined plans under $25,000), Georgia assesses each case individually. Factors like business status, payment history, and current financial situation influence the terms.
What challenges do open businesses face when applying for relief?
Open businesses are often seen as being in a desperate position. The State tends to propose stricter and more aggressive terms for these entities, expecting quicker repayment due to their ongoing operations.