Jennifer O'Neill: 40+ Years Resolving IRS Problems

Jennifer O'Neill, EA, MBA, has spent over four decades helping taxpayers resolve their most serious IRS and New York State tax problems. As the principal of IRS Help Inc. in West Seneca, NY, she leads a team of licensed representatives who have been handling tax resolution cases since 1982.

This is not a call center. IRS Help Inc. is a local firm with real people, direct access to your representative, and a BBB-accredited track record spanning more than 40 years.

Who Is Jennifer O'Neill?

Jennifer O'Neill holds two critical credentials that set her apart in the tax resolution field: she is an Enrolled Agent (EA) licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department, and she holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Enrolled Agent status means Jennifer has unlimited practice rights before the IRS. She can represent any taxpayer, on any tax matter, before any IRS office. This federal license requires passing a rigorous three-part exam covering individual taxation, business taxation, and representation practices. EAs must also complete continuing education every year to maintain their license.

The MBA adds a layer of financial analysis capability that matters when building complex Offer in Compromise cases, business tax resolution strategies, or installment agreement proposals. Understanding the full financial picture, not just the tax code, often determines whether a case succeeds or fails.

Jennifer's career in tax resolution began in 1982 when she founded IRS Help Inc. Over four decades later, the firm continues to operate from West Seneca, NY, serving clients across New York State and nationwide.

IRS Help Inc.: The Firm Behind the Expert

IRS Help Inc. opened its doors in 1982 and has operated continuously for over 40 years. That longevity matters in an industry where many firms appear overnight, collect large upfront fees, and vanish within a few years.

Key Facts About IRS Help Inc.

Founded: 1982
Location: West Seneca, NY
BBB Accredited: Yes
Phone: 1-800-477-4357
Scope: Both IRS (federal) and New York State tax resolution
Staff: Licensed representatives, including Enrolled Agents
Coverage: Serves clients locally in Western New York and remotely nationwide

The firm's BBB accreditation is significant. The tax relief industry has a well-documented problem with scams, misleading advertising, and predatory practices. BBB accreditation requires a firm to meet standards for trust, transparency, and complaint resolution. For a firm to maintain that accreditation for decades indicates consistent ethical practice.

What Makes IRS Help Inc. Different from National Firms

National tax relief companies spend millions on TV advertising promising to settle your debt for "pennies on the dollar." The reality is very different from those claims. Most of those firms operate as call centers. You speak with a salesperson, not a tax professional. Your case gets assigned to someone you never meet, in a state you have never visited.

IRS Help Inc. operates on the opposite model:

You work directly with licensed professionals. Not salespeople, not case managers with no tax credentials.
Your representative knows your case. No explaining your situation to a different person every time you call.
Local presence matters. When your case involves the IRS office in Buffalo or the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance, your representative understands the local procedures, the specific revenue officers, and the regional tendencies.
Dual jurisdiction expertise. Many national firms only handle IRS problems. IRS Help Inc. resolves both federal IRS and New York State tax issues, which is critical because state tax problems often compound federal ones.

For a deeper comparison of local versus national firms, read our full analysis: IRS Help Inc.: How a Local Firm Beats National Call Centers.

Credentials and Licensing: Why They Matter

Not all tax professionals are created equal. The tax resolution field has three main categories of licensed practitioners, and understanding the difference protects you from hiring the wrong person.

Enrolled Agents (EAs)

Enrolled Agents are the only tax professionals who receive their license directly from the U.S. Treasury Department. The EA designation specifically qualifies a practitioner to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Jennifer O'Neill holds this credential, which means she has:

Passed the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), a three-part test administered by the IRS
Met all IRS background check and compliance requirements
Completed mandatory continuing education in federal tax law every year

EAs have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. They can handle audits, appeals, collections cases, Offers in Compromise, and any other IRS proceeding on behalf of their clients.

How EAs Compare to CPAs and Tax Attorneys

Credential	IRS Representation	Tax Specialization	Cost
Enrolled Agent (EA)	Unlimited	Tax-specific by design	Moderate
CPA	Unlimited (if licensed)	Broad accounting focus	Higher
Tax Attorney	Unlimited	Legal proceedings, litigation	Highest
Tax Preparer	Limited	Preparation only, no representation	Lowest

For most IRS resolution cases, an Enrolled Agent offers the strongest combination of specialized tax knowledge and cost-effectiveness. Read our complete comparison: Why Enrolled Agents Are Your Best Defense Against the IRS.

Services: What Jennifer O'Neill and IRS Help Inc. Handle

Jennifer's practice covers the full spectrum of IRS and New York State tax problems. Here is what that means in practical terms.

IRS Debt Resolution

When you owe the IRS more than you can pay, there are specific programs designed to resolve that debt. The key is knowing which program fits your situation and building a case that gets accepted. Jennifer and her team handle:

Offer in Compromise (OIC): This program allows you to settle your IRS debt for less than the full amount owed. The IRS uses a specific formula called Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) to determine your offer amount. Getting this calculation right is the difference between an accepted offer and a rejection. Jennifer's team builds these cases from the ground up, including financial analysis, asset valuation, and income projections.

Installment Agreements: If you can pay your full debt over time but cannot pay it all at once, the IRS offers several types of payment plans. These range from streamlined agreements (for debts under $50,000) to complex agreements requiring full financial disclosure. The goal is getting terms you can actually sustain.

Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status: When your financial situation makes it impossible to pay anything, the IRS can place your account in CNC status. This stops all collection activity, including levies and garnishments. Your account remains in this status until your financial situation changes. The debt continues to accrue interest and penalties, but no payments are required.

Penalty Abatement: The IRS can remove penalties under several provisions, including First Time Penalty Abatement and Reasonable Cause. Penalties often add 25% or more to a tax debt, so successful abatement can reduce what you owe significantly.

Wage Garnishment and Bank Levy Release

IRS wage garnishments (technically called levies) can take up to 70% of your disposable income. Bank levies freeze your account and seize the balance 21 days after the levy notice. Both situations require immediate action.

Jennifer's team works to stop garnishments and levies by:

Filing emergency requests with the IRS
Establishing payment arrangements that replace the levy
Demonstrating financial hardship
Resolving the underlying tax debt through OIC, installment agreement, or CNC status

Speed matters in these cases. The firm's direct relationships with IRS personnel and knowledge of internal procedures allow them to act faster than a taxpayer could on their own.

Tax Lien Resolution

Federal tax liens attach to all your property, including real estate, vehicles, and financial accounts. They also appear on your credit report and can block real estate transactions, business financing, and other financial activity.

Jennifer handles all forms of lien resolution:

Lien Release: Removing the lien after the underlying debt is resolved
Lien Discharge: Removing the lien from a specific property (often needed for real estate sales)
Lien Subordination: Moving the IRS lien behind another creditor's interest (often needed for refinancing)
Lien Withdrawal: Removing the public notice of the lien, which helps restore credit

Unfiled Tax Returns

If you have years of unfiled returns, the IRS may have filed Substitute for Returns (SFRs) on your behalf. These SFRs almost always result in a higher tax liability because the IRS does not include deductions, credits, or filing status benefits you may be entitled to.

Jennifer's team handles the process of:

Obtaining IRS transcripts to determine what the IRS has on file
Preparing and filing delinquent returns with all available deductions and credits
Replacing SFRs with accurate returns (often reducing the amount owed)
Bringing you into full compliance, which is a prerequisite for most resolution programs

IRS Audit Representation

When the IRS audits your return, you have the right to professional representation. You do not have to face the IRS alone, and you do not have to answer questions without your representative present.

Jennifer provides full audit defense, including:

Responding to audit notices
Preparing documentation and substantiation
Representing you in person or by correspondence
Handling appeals if the audit result is unfavorable
Negotiating adjustments and penalty reductions

New York State Tax Resolution

New York is one of the most aggressive states for tax collection. The NY Department of Taxation and Finance has its own collection powers, including wage garnishments, bank levies, and property seizures that operate independently of the IRS.

Many taxpayers who owe the IRS also owe New York State. Resolving only one without addressing the other leaves you exposed. Jennifer's dual expertise in both IRS and NY State tax resolution means your entire tax situation gets addressed under one roof.

NY State offers its own resolution programs:

Installment Payment Agreements
Offer in Compromise (NY has its own program, separate from the IRS)
Protest and hearing procedures
Penalty and interest waivers

Jennifer's Approach: How She Works with Clients

After 40 years of practice, Jennifer has developed a systematic approach to tax resolution cases.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Case Analysis

The first step is understanding exactly what you owe, to whom, and what collection actions are pending. This involves:

Reviewing all IRS and state notices you have received
Pulling IRS account transcripts to verify the government's records
Identifying any immediate threats (garnishments, levies, liens, or criminal referrals)
Determining your current compliance status (are all returns filed?)

Step 2: Compliance First

Before the IRS will consider any resolution program, you must be in compliance. That means all required tax returns must be filed and all current-year estimated tax payments must be current.

If you have unfiled returns, Jennifer's team prepares and files them. If you have current-year obligations, they help you establish withholding or estimated payments that keep you compliant going forward.

Step 3: Financial Analysis

Every resolution option depends on your financial situation. The IRS uses a specific set of forms (Form 433-A for individuals, Form 433-B for businesses) to evaluate your income, expenses, assets, and equity.

Jennifer's team conducts a thorough financial analysis that:

Documents all income sources
Identifies allowable expenses under IRS standards
Values assets accurately (not using IRS quick-sale assumptions when they overstate value)
Calculates your Reasonable Collection Potential for OIC cases
Determines which resolution program gives you the best outcome

Step 4: Strategy Selection and Execution

Based on the financial analysis, Jennifer recommends the resolution strategy with the highest probability of success and the best outcome for your situation. Options include:

Offer in Compromise (settle for less)
Installment Agreement (pay over time)
Currently Not Collectible (pause collections)
Penalty Abatement (reduce the balance)
A combination of strategies

Once you approve the strategy, the team prepares and submits all required forms, documentation, and supporting materials. They handle all communication with the IRS and NY State throughout the process.

Step 5: Resolution and Compliance Maintenance

After your case resolves, Jennifer's team helps you stay compliant going forward. This includes guidance on estimated payments, withholding adjustments, and annual filing requirements. Staying compliant prevents future problems and protects any agreement you reached with the IRS.

Who Jennifer Helps: Typical Client Profiles

Over four decades, Jennifer has worked with a wide range of clients. Common profiles include:

Small Business Owners

Business owners face unique tax challenges: payroll tax obligations, estimated quarterly payments, multiple filing requirements, and personal liability for business tax debts. Jennifer understands both the business and personal tax implications and addresses them together.

Self-Employed Professionals

Freelancers, consultants, contractors, and gig workers often fall behind on estimated payments. Without an employer withholding taxes, the burden of quarterly payments falls entirely on the individual. When these payments slip, penalties and interest accumulate quickly.

Individuals Facing Life Disruptions

Divorce, medical emergencies, job loss, death of a spouse: life events that derail financial stability also derail tax compliance. Jennifer's clients often arrive with multiple years of unfiled returns and growing IRS debt that began during a personal crisis.

Retirees and Seniors

Retirement income, Social Security taxation, Required Minimum Distributions, and pension withdrawals create tax obligations that catch many retirees off guard. Some retirees discover they owe the IRS years into retirement, with limited income to resolve the debt.

Business Owners with Payroll Tax Issues

Trust fund taxes (the portion of payroll taxes withheld from employee paychecks) carry personal liability under the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP). Business owners, officers, and even bookkeepers can be held personally responsible. These cases are among the most serious the IRS pursues.

Why 40+ Years of Experience Matters

Tax resolution is not a theoretical exercise. The IRS has specific procedures, internal guidelines, and decision-making patterns that experienced practitioners understand from years of direct interaction.

Knowledge of IRS Internal Procedures

The Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) governs how IRS employees handle cases. Experienced practitioners know:

When to request a manager review
How to escalate cases that are stalled
Which arguments the IRS finds persuasive (and which they reject routinely)
How different IRS offices and revenue officers operate
When to use the Taxpayer Advocate Service

Understanding of How Cases Actually Resolve

Textbook knowledge of tax law tells you what the rules are. Decades of practice teach you how those rules get applied in real cases. Jennifer has seen how the IRS handles every type of case, through multiple administrations, policy changes, and enforcement cycles.

Established Relationships

After 40 years of practice in the same region, Jennifer and her team have established working relationships with IRS personnel. These relationships do not create special treatment, but they do facilitate efficient communication, professional courtesy, and smoother case processing.

Dual Federal and State Expertise

Many practitioners handle only IRS cases. Jennifer's simultaneous expertise in New York State tax resolution means clients do not need to hire separate professionals for federal and state issues. This saves money, reduces coordination problems, and ensures both jurisdictions are addressed as part of a unified strategy.

IRS Help Inc. by the Numbers

Years in operation: 40+
Founded: 1982
BBB Accredited: Yes
Phone: 1-800-477-4357
Location: West Seneca, NY
Jurisdiction: Federal IRS + New York State
Credentials: Enrolled Agents, licensed representatives
Service model: Direct access to your representative, not a call center

The Tax Resolution Industry: Why Experience and Ethics Matter

The tax resolution industry presents a paradox. Taxpayers in distress need help the most, yet that distress makes them vulnerable to firms that exploit urgency for profit. Understanding the landscape helps you appreciate why choosing the right professional is critical.

The Problem with the Tax Relief Industry

The IRS itself has published warnings about tax resolution firms that make false promises. Common industry problems include:

Firms that guarantee specific outcomes before evaluating your case
Salespeople misrepresenting the Offer in Compromise program as universally available
Companies that collect large retainers and then assign cases to unqualified staff
Practitioners who submit OIC applications they know will fail, simply to collect fees
Firms that cease operations after a few years, leaving clients mid-case

The Federal Trade Commission has pursued multiple enforcement actions against tax resolution companies. State attorneys general have done the same. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regularly receives complaints about tax relief firms.

What Sets Ethical Practitioners Apart

Practitioners like Jennifer O'Neill, who have operated continuously for decades, succeed by doing the opposite of what problematic firms do:

Honest assessment first. Before collecting significant fees, an ethical practitioner evaluates your situation and tells you honestly what outcomes are realistic. If an OIC is unlikely to succeed, they say so and recommend alternatives.

Qualified staff. Every person working on your case holds appropriate credentials. Enrolled Agents handle representation. Licensed preparers handle return preparation. No unqualified staff makes decisions about your case.

Transparent fees. You know what you are paying, what you are paying for, and what happens if the strategy needs to change. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no bait-and-switch.

Ongoing communication. You can reach the person handling your case. They return calls. They provide updates without being chased. Your case file is maintained and current.

Long-term perspective. Ethical practitioners think beyond the immediate resolution. They help you set up systems (proper withholding, estimated payments, record-keeping) that prevent future problems.

The Value of 40+ Years in Practice

Longevity in tax resolution means something specific. A practitioner who has operated since 1982 has:

Navigated multiple major tax law changes (Tax Reform Act of 1986, Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Act of 2003, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, CARES Act, Inflation Reduction Act)
Worked through different IRS enforcement eras (aggressive collection periods and more lenient ones)
Seen how the IRS handles every type of case across economic booms and recessions
Built institutional knowledge about what works and what does not in practice, not just in theory
Developed professional relationships with IRS personnel built on years of competent, ethical interaction

This accumulated experience cannot be replicated by a firm that opened last year, regardless of how aggressively they advertise.

Common Questions About Tax Resolution: What Clients Need to Know

How Long Will My Case Take?

Timeline depends on the resolution strategy:

Simple installment agreement: 1-4 weeks
Penalty abatement request: 30-60 days
Offer in Compromise: 6-12 months
Unfiled return preparation (multiple years): 4-8 weeks for preparation, plus IRS processing time
Audit representation: 3-18 months depending on audit type

Jennifer's team provides a realistic timeline estimate during the initial consultation so you know what to expect.

What Can I Expect to Pay in Professional Fees?

Fees vary based on case complexity. Factors that affect cost include:

Number of tax years involved
Type of resolution strategy (OIC cases require more work than simple installment agreements)
Whether returns need to be prepared
Whether active levies or liens need immediate attention
Complexity of your financial situation

IRS Help Inc. discusses fees during the initial consultation and provides a clear engagement letter before work begins. The firm does not use high-pressure sales tactics or demand large retainers before assessing your case.

Will I Need to Go to the IRS Office?

In most cases, no. Your representative handles all IRS communication under Power of Attorney. For office audits, your representative attends on your behalf. For all other matters (collections, OIC, lien resolution), everything is handled through written correspondence and phone communication between your representative and the IRS.

What If My Situation Changes During the Case?

Tax resolution cases can span months. During that time, your income, expenses, or financial situation may change. Jennifer's team monitors your case and adjusts strategy when circumstances change. If you lose a job, receive a windfall, or experience a financial setback, the team updates the IRS and adapts the resolution approach accordingly.

How to Work with Jennifer O'Neill

Contact IRS Help Inc. at 1-800-477-4357 for an initial consultation. During this call, you can expect:

A review of your current tax situation
An assessment of any immediate threats (garnishments, levies, liens)
A preliminary recommendation for resolution strategy
Clear explanation of fees and process

You can also visit Jennifer's full listing on TaxReliefNearMe.org: New York tax relief specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Enrolled Agent, and why does it matter for tax resolution?

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Unlike tax preparers who can only prepare returns, EAs can represent you in audits, appeals, and collections proceedings. Jennifer O'Neill holds this credential, which means she has passed the IRS Special Enrollment Examination and maintains continuing education in federal tax law every year.

How long has IRS Help Inc. been in business?

IRS Help Inc. has been operating since 1982, giving the firm over 40 years of continuous experience in tax resolution. This longevity is significant in an industry where many firms operate for only a few years before closing.

Does Jennifer O'Neill handle both IRS and New York State tax problems?

Yes. IRS Help Inc. resolves both federal IRS tax problems and New York State tax issues. This dual capability is important because many taxpayers who owe the IRS also owe New York State, and resolving only one jurisdiction leaves you exposed to collection actions from the other.

What types of tax problems can IRS Help Inc. resolve?

The firm handles the full range of tax resolution services: IRS debt settlement through Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, Currently Not Collectible status, penalty abatement, wage garnishment release, bank levy release, tax lien resolution, unfiled tax return preparation, and IRS audit representation.

Is IRS Help Inc. a call center?

No. IRS Help Inc. is a local firm based in West Seneca, NY. You work directly with licensed representatives who know your case. This is fundamentally different from national call center operations where you speak with a different person each time you call.

How do I schedule a consultation with Jennifer O'Neill?

Call IRS Help Inc. at 1-800-477-4357. During the initial consultation, the team reviews your tax situation, identifies immediate threats, and provides a preliminary recommendation for resolution.

What does BBB accreditation mean for a tax relief firm?

BBB accreditation means the firm has met the Better Business Bureau's standards for trust, advertising honesty, transparency, and complaint resolution. In the tax relief industry, where scams are common, BBB accreditation provides an additional layer of verification that a firm operates ethically.

Can Jennifer O'Neill help if I have years of unfiled tax returns?

Yes. Unfiled returns are one of the most common issues the firm handles. The team obtains IRS transcripts, prepares delinquent returns with all available deductions and credits, and files them to bring you into compliance, which is the first step toward resolving any tax debt.

Does IRS Help Inc. serve clients outside of New York?

Yes. While the firm is based in West Seneca, NY, Enrolled Agents are federally licensed and can represent taxpayers in any state before the IRS. For state tax issues outside New York, the firm can advise on the best approach for your specific state.

What should I bring to my first consultation?

Bring all IRS and state tax notices you have received, your most recent tax returns (if you have them), and a general understanding of your income and financial situation. If you do not have your notices or returns, the firm can obtain IRS transcripts to start building your case.