⚠️ "Tax settlement" and Offer in Compromise mills — what the IRS itself says

What this actually is

The IRS names this one directly. Promoters advertise on radio and TV claiming they can settle your IRS debt cheaply through an offer in compromise. The IRS’s own words: "In reality, you pay the promoter for what you can do yourself with the IRS." The free path is the Pre-Qualifier tool and Form 656 direct to the IRS, plus an LITC if you need representation and qualify. The same page warns about ghost preparers: a preparer who will not sign your return, has no PTIN, wants cash only with no receipt, or routes your refund into their own account. A paid preparer is required to sign.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

Nothing to qualify for — this is a warning, not a program. Before paying anyone: run the free Pre-Qualifier, check whether you are under the LITC income limit (250% of poverty), and verify any preparer has a PTIN and will sign. Complaints about a preparer go to the IRS through its formal complaint process.