How I Sweet-Talked the IRS

Shock 'Em With a Plan

I presented the office manager with a 28-page business plan and financial projections.

Equally befuddled -- no one had ever come to him with a business plan -- he brought in one of his veteran case workers, and we arranged a deal where my company would pay $5,000 a month plus interest.

In return, the IRS would not put any liens on the business or the owners' personal assets as long as we made our payments on time.

Had I run or waited for the warning letters to start coming, the IRS probably would have seized my company and put liens on our assets until the bill was satisfied.

Instead, they actually trusted us enough to excuse a late payment a few months later and asked me to speak about my approach at a regional seminar.

Business Sense

The IRS is no different from any other business. It is measured by how effectively it collects receivables. As a result, it relies on relationships of trust and mutual respect.

Not everyone can save their business from bad decisions, but no matter how dismal your situation, get to the IRS quickly -- business plan in tow.

If you're reasonable, you'll find the people there actually are, too.