Defending Clients Against Criminal Tax Investigations and Complex IRS Controversies

Get dual attorney-CPA representation backed by 20+ years of experience. We help U.S. taxpayers—both individuals and international business owners—avoid prosecution, reduce penalties, and achieve compliance without criminal charges.

Tax lien is more serious than you think

It can put both your life and property at risk

  • Shows up in public records, damaging your credit and professional reputation.
  • Suspends professional licenses in law, real estate, healthcare, or finance.
  • Cuts off access to equity, leaving no cash-outs, no working capital.
  • Freezes business receivables, stalling payments and operations.
  • Gives the IRS legal rights over your current and future property.
  • Lowers your credit score and limits access to loans or leases.
  • Leads to passport denial or revocation for unpaid tax debt.
  • Flags your finances for IRS investigation and future levies.
  • Limits job opportunities in regulated or licensed fields.
  • Grows daily with interest and penalties until resolved.
  • Puts joint assets with spouse at risk of IRS seizure.
  • Blocks you from selling or refinancing real estate.
  • Turns asset transfers into potential fraud cases.

No matter the complexity of your tax lien, we analyze your unique lien situation and develop targeted strategies to protect your assets before the IRS can seize them.

Our team offers:

  • Comprehensive case reviews
  • Strategic negotiations with the IRS
  • Precise legal positioning to remove liens
  • Safeguarding of your property rights
  • Restoring your financial freedom

The IRS just needs 3 things to own your property

Get the best federal tax lien relief options

Full Payment of Tax Debt

Paying the tax in full is the most direct way to remove a lien. Once the IRS receives payment, the lien must be released within 30 days. We make sure the release is processed, recorded properly, and confirmed across public records so nothing delays your financial recovery.

Installment Agreement

When full payment isn’t possible, we negotiate a monthly payment plan with the IRS that fits your financial situation. If you opt for direct debit and make consistent payments, we can often request that the lien be withdrawn even while the agreement is still in progress.

Offer in Compromise (OIC)

If paying the full amount would create financial hardship, we may help you settle your tax debt for less through an Offer in Compromise. Once accepted and paid, the IRS releases the lien. We handle every part of the process from eligibility assessment to filing and negotiation.

Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status

In cases of serious financial distress, we help clients request CNC status. This pauses all collection activity, including enforcement of the lien, giving you breathing room while protecting your basic living expenses.

Passport Protection

If your tax debt crosses a certain threshold, the IRS can flag your case for passport revocation or denial. We act quickly to resolve or pause the tax issue, helping you retain or reinstate your travel rights.

Innocent Spouse Relief

If a lien is tied to a joint return but the tax issue was caused by your spouse or ex-spouse, we may help remove your liability—and the lien—by applying for Innocent Spouse Relief with detailed supporting evidence.

Collection Appeals & CDP Hearings

If the IRS is about to file a lien—or has already filed one unfairly—you have the right to appeal. We represent you through Collection Due Process hearings and formal appeals to stop or reverse improper lien actions.

Bankruptcy Evaluation (in limited cases)

While most liens survive bankruptcy, certain tax debts may be dischargeable depending on your situation. We help assess whether bankruptcy is a strategic option and coordinate with bankruptcy counsel when necessary.

Every taxpayer’s lien situation is unique, and we understand the complexities in depth! We manage both the legal side and financial side of your case, analyzing your specific circumstances to determine which relief option gives you the best outcome. 

We handle complex lien complications that others can’t


Specialised management tools beyond standard tax resolution

Lien Withdrawal

Even after the debt is paid, the lien may still appear in public records. If you qualify under the IRS Fresh Start Program or other guidelines, we can help you apply for a formal withdrawal, which removes the lien from your file entirely.

Certificate of Discharge

If a tax lien is blocking the sale of real estate or property, we can apply for a discharge. This allows the transaction to go through, either by satisfying the IRS’s interest through sale proceeds or under specific lien-sharing rules.

Certificate of Subordination

When a lien is preventing you from refinancing or securing a loan, we request a subordination. This doesn’t remove the lien but allows another creditor to take priority, unlocking financing that may help resolve the debt.

Certificate of Non-Attachment

If the IRS filed a lien in error, such as against someone with a similar name, or attached it to property it shouldn’t, we help correct the mistake through a formal request for a Certificate of Non-Attachment.

Request for Lien Release

Even when a debt is paid, the IRS sometimes fails to issue or record the lien release properly. We follow up with all required proof to ensure the lien is formally released and no longer shows in public or legal records.

You don’t need to fight the IRS alone

You just need to fight it smart.

The Law Office of Anthony N. Verni provides:

  • Legal tax defense by an attorney–CPA with 20+ years of experience
  • In-depth local knowledge of state procedures and court systems
  • End-to-end handling of IRS communication and documentation
  • A strategy that aligns with IRS procedure, not guesswork
  • Protection against further escalation or procedural errors
  • Expertise in handling foreign property liens

Time Doesn’t Freeze Just Because Your Assets Are at Risk.

A federal tax lien isn’t something to monitor; it’s something to resolve. Before it escalates any further, take action.

Book a consultation today and gain the legal support you need to take back control; structured, ethical, and results-driven.

FAQs

No, the opposite is true. When you have professional representation, the IRS must communicate through us, not directly with you. This actually reduces pressure and prevents you from accidentally saying something that could hurt your case. Our dual MBA and CPA credentials also signal to the IRS that your case is being handled professionally, which often leads to more reasonable negotiations.

Your partner is dangerously wrong. Federal tax liens can freeze your business receivables, block access to working capital, and prevent you from securing contracts with government entities or large corporations that run credit checks. We’ve seen businesses lose major clients simply because a lien appeared in public records during routine vendor screenings.

Yes, if you’re personally liable for business taxes (like payroll taxes or if you’re a sole proprietor), the IRS can place liens on ALL your property, including your personal residence. We help determine your actual exposure and create barriers to protect your home while resolving the business debt.

That’s terrible advice. Ignoring a lien allows it to continue damaging your credit, blocking refinancing opportunities, and growing with interest and penalties. As attorney-level representation, we can often get liens withdrawn or subordinated even while you’re paying, something most CPAs don’t know how to do.

It depends on your specific situation and which relief option works best. Simple lien releases after payment can be completed in 30-45 days. Complex cases involving offers in compromise or appeals can take 6-18 months. We provide realistic timelines during your consultation and keep you updated throughout the process.

Potentially yes, especially if you own joint property or if your spouse’s name is on accounts that the IRS could target. We analyze your entire financial picture to determine your spouse’s exposure and can apply for Innocent Spouse Relief if the debt wasn’t their responsibility. Don’t assume a separate filing protects them.

The biggest mistake is ignoring IRS notices, hoping they’ll disappear; they multiply instead. Here’s what never to do:

  • Never miss filing deadlines; even if you can’t pay, file the return to avoid worse penalties
  • Don’t make random partial payments; this can restart collection timelines against you
  • Never use payroll tax money as business cash flow creates personal liability for business owners
  • Don’t communicate with the IRS yourself after receiving final notices; one wrong word triggers immediate action

Most importantly, avoid the “head in the sand” approach. Once you receive a notice of intent to levy, professional intervention is critical. We help clients establish proper compliance systems and maintain strategic communication with the IRS to prevent liens before they start, rather than fighting them after your assets are already at risk.

The consequences can be serious, especially if the IRS believes there was willful neglect or fraud involved. We help businesses come forward strategically, minimizing the risk of prosecution and negotiating to reduce penalties wherever possible.