Can J.K. Harris really solve my IRS back tax problem?

Update 3/26/2012:  JK Harris arrested for contempt of court.

Update 3/19/2012:  Resolute Tax Services, LLC, Goose Creek, SC, 888.493.4024 has purchased the JK Harris Client List.

I’ve seen their ads on TV, can J.K. Harris really reduce my tax debt?  They can.  But will they? 

This post is a review for JK Harris.  JK Harris is a tax resolution company that works to solve IRS back tax problems.  If you have questions about this post, please reference:  BP #63.

• ~76% of all IRS Offers in Compromise were rejected last year. 
• ~1% of “in-business” Offers in Compromise were accepted last year. 
• So be careful if someone is pushing you in this direction only.  It is a high risk tax solution.    

If you know you need to take action, read my post about whether or not you should hire someone (You should not automatically.) titled “Owe IRS back taxes?  When, who, and how do I hire IRS back tax help?” before you do anything else.  Here’s the link:

https://irsbacktaxhelp.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/owe-the-irs-back-taxes-how-do-i-hire-irs-back-tax-help/

As usual, If you like the tone of these posts, contact me for consultation.  I can be reached at irsbacktaxhelp@gmail.com.  Before you email me, please click on and read “About irs back tax help”.

Marketing Approach:  

You will meet a JK Harris Rep face to face.  If you are treated politely, and the sales person is informative and helpful, that is a good sign.  On the flip side, if they say you need to hire them immediately! no matter what! and now, and they are insisting you complete their paperwork immediately.  I disagree with that notion.  You should not hire back tax help unless there is a good reason.  The real first question if back taxes are owed to the IRS, is not whom to hire, but “IF” you should hire anyone to help if you owe back taxes.  Let’s inject some common sense into the situation.  Read the link above, it will help you decide “IF”.  No one should ask you for a credit card number or checking information the first time you talk to them.  If you are dealing with the IRS or state about tax liens, final notice of intent to levy, or a tax levy, do not hire the first company you call; especially if they are trying to pressure/intimidate you into doing that immediately.  High pressure sales tactics are used for a reason. 

Instead, take control of this tax problem on your terms.  Here’s how:

It is valid to be concerned about the IRS’ collection actions, and to take action yourself, but a knee jerk reaction could exacerbate tax problems down the road.  When the IRS or other tax authority goes into enforced collection mode, it’s worth taking a measured approach to fix the problem.  Handling a tax problem is something you want do right, once, the first time. 

Very Important!  Before you call JK Harris:

Before listening to a sales pitch, perform some due diligence as I have below.  It is the best and safest way to make a decision.  If J.K. Harris’ sales people are not willing to wait for you to do the research, tell them you want some general information about the company and the name the person who will be representing you before you meet with them and then you will return their call.   If they refuse and become pushy, threatening, or obnoxious, that is a red flag.  

What happens when a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is filed? 

When an IRS tax lien (IRS Form 688 Notice of Federal Tax Lien) or state tax lien is filed with the county recorder, it becomes public record.  Then, a whole different type of company will call to help with the IRS back taxes.  You can learn about the Telemarketing companies here:

https://irsbacktaxhelp.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/tax-resolution-review-recap-whos-good-at-solving-irs-tax-problems/ 

Research & Reviews for JK Harris:

After doing a little homework on Google, JK Harris is located at:

• 208 Saint James Ave Ste A, Goose Creek, SC 29445-2994
• Various phone/fax:  (888) 833-5156, (888) 610-8293  

JK Harris’ Better Business Bureau record looks like this:  

• Business started 1997

• Time BBB accredited:  Is not.

• 673 Complaints as of 2/4/2012

• http://www.bbb.org/columbia/business-reviews/taxes-consultants-and-representatives/jk-harris-and-company-in-goose-creek-sc-31001065    “Attorney General received additional complaints from consumers who had been told by JK Harris that they qualified for an “Offer in Compromise” (OIC) only to later discover they did not. Consumers who qualify for the OIC program have most of their tax liability waived and pay only a percentage of what they owe to the IRS.”  Caveat Emptor.
• A quick note:  When using the Better Business Bureau to research companies, it is probably best to use the BBB as a “de-selector” rather than a reason to hire someone.  The BBB solicits companies to become a member; so it is relatively easy to remain in good standing and keep an “A” letter grade.  The nature of the company is better seen by how many complaints they have accumulated over the last 3 years, which is the standard BBB reporting period.  A good rule of thumb is no more than one complaint per year, or three complaints total.  Size and age of a company are irrelevant.  It really boils down to how they treated their clients during the reporting period.  There are plenty of companies who meet this standard, so don’t settle for less.

 J.K. Harris Reviews on Google:

•  “jk harris reviews” here are the reviews that you get:

http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=jk+harris+reviews

• When I did the JK Harris Google search, I came across a bankruptcy filing:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/oct/08/jk-harris-co-seeks-bankruptcy-protection/

Overall, if you’re thinking of hiring them, get a second opinion if you owe back taxes.  Of course, I would like to be that second opinion, but as long as you take the time to do a little homework as listed in the first link above, you’ll probably be fine.  Click “About irs back tax help” to learn about us.  The important part of this is to engage and act.  Overdue tax problems only grow when un-addressed. 

In Conclusion

It appears they are very focused on marketing their services and their future is uncertain.  If you feel like “high-pressure” sales are not for you, email me.  We don’t pressure people in an already stressful situation, and I do not telemarket anyone. 

Regards,

irs back tax help

What’s next for irs back tax help? 

I will create a tax resolution review of each company that advertises on TV/radio/internet/print that seems to be heavily focused on marketing.  These reviews will be titled “Can… …really solve my IRS back tax problem?” for all of the companies I’m aware of that want to “fix your overdue tax problem.” 

Tax Masters Review

https://irsbacktaxhelp.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/can-tax-masters-really-solve-my-irs-back-tax-problem/

JK Harris

Tax Incorporated

Titan Tax Relief

Progressive Tax Group

Blue Tax

Power Tax Relief

411 Tax Relief

Tax Care Professionals

Nationwide Tax Relief

Advantage Tax Resolution

Associated Tax Relief

Innovative Tax Relief

Freedom Tax Relief

If you want to know about a tax resolution company not on the list, shoot me an email and I will create a review for you.