Tax Relief in Tampa Bay and Clearwater, Florida
A tax balance that looked manageable in April can look very different by the end of the year once penalties and interest have done their work. Fresh Start Tax Relief Services helps individuals and business owners in Tampa, Clearwater, and across the Tampa Bay area get ahead of that growth. Our women-owned firm is based in Pasadena, California, and our licensed tax agents have decades of experience working directly with the IRS.
Tax Help for Tampa, Clearwater, and the Bay Area
On either side of the bay, the first step looks the same. You call (800) 250-8884 or fill out our online form, and we set aside time to hear what is happening and what you want to accomplish. There is no cost for that first conversation, and nothing you share leaves our office. Tampa Bay is one of many regions we help, since "Not only do we service every single county in California, but we service taxpayers nationwide."
Why Most Florida Tax Debt Is Federal
Florida does not charge a state personal income tax. For most individuals in Tampa and Clearwater, that means the tax debt keeping them up at night is owed to the IRS. The upside is that federal resolution programs, such as Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, and penalty abatement, apply the same way here as anywhere else in the country.
Business owners can be a different story. A Florida business may still face a state revenue office as well as the IRS, which is one reason we look at the full picture before recommending a plan.
When Taxes Become Delinquent
Delinquent taxes are taxes that were not paid by their due date. Once a balance is past due, the IRS adds a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% of the unpaid tax for each month it stays unpaid, up to 25%. Interest accrues on top of that. A debt left alone for a few years can end up noticeably larger than the original bill.
That is why we encourage people not to wait. The longer a balance sits, the more it grows and the fewer options remain. Getting help early gives us more room to work with, whether that means negotiating a payment plan or seeking relief from the penalties that have built up.
Keeping Tampa Bay Businesses Open
Small businesses are the backbone of the Bay Area economy, and tax problems can threaten them quickly. We help owners resolve business tax debt, including payroll tax problems and trust fund recovery penalties that can follow the people responsible for paying them.
When things have already gone further, we also work on reinstating businesses that have been shut down by the IRS or a state revenue office. If your doors are closed or about to be, a conversation with our team is the first step toward reopening them.
Support That Lasts Beyond Your Case
We provide ongoing support so you never feel alone while your case is open, and our commitment does not stop when the IRS signs off. Once your resolution is complete, we also give you professional advice on planning future returns, so you can avoid the same problems down the road and keep more of what you earn. You can learn more about our team on the Fresh Start Tax Relief home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with clients in Clearwater?
Yes. We help taxpayers in Clearwater, Tampa, and throughout the Tampa Bay area, and we serve clients nationwide from our office in Pasadena, California.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not have a state personal income tax, so individual income tax debt in Tampa Bay is generally owed to the IRS. Businesses may still owe state taxes.
How quickly does unpaid tax debt grow?
The IRS charges a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to a maximum of 25%. Interest is added on top, which is why waiting usually makes the balance larger.
Can you help reopen a business that was shut down?
Yes. We work on reinstating businesses that have been shut down by the IRS or a state revenue office, along with resolving the tax debt that led to the closure.
Do you help after my case is resolved?
Yes. When your case is completed, we give you professional advice on planning future tax returns to help you avoid future tax problems and save money.