Radio Interview (January 22, 2026)

Listen to this interview – MP3

[00:00:00] Host:
We do have a verdict in the Preston Brewer homicide case. We’ll talk about that in a little while. We’re also going to talk the law, but of the tax variety, with our friend Steven Klitzner for Florida Tax Solvers, the attorney and law offices of Steven Klitzner, PA. Good morning to you, sir.

[00:00:18] Steven:
Good morning, Michael.

[00:00:21] Host:
Yeah. And by the way, Happy New Year. It’s belated. You informed me that you are a man of deadlines, are you not?

[00:00:29] Steven:
I am. And I gave you today till noon today. And that’s it. No more Happy New Year.

[00:00:35] Host:
I get it when you haven’t talked to somebody in the new year. But the problem is I’m never a Happy New Year wisher, even earlier. I’m just a U2 person.

[00:00:44] Steven:
Okay.

[00:00:46] Host:
Well, I wanted to at least pass along the sentiment because, true, we have not spoken since the New Year. Also, I’ll belate it even more. Hopefully, you had a happy holiday season as well. But yes, filing deadline for Happy New Year’s wishes today at noon. Get yours in a hurry if you haven’t called somebody.

[00:01:06] Steven:
No extensions. No extensions. No extensions.

[00:01:10] Host:
Well, there will be a lot of people filing for extensions because we’ve got a filing deadline coming up in just a mere matter of months. Before we get to that, though, you had informed me of an appeal that occurred that could have some implications for some taxpayers.

[00:01:26] Steven:
Yeah, the higher-ups at the IRS took a look at the Independent Office of Appeals, which has been decimated because of all the retirements. Appeals officers have been there for a while, that’s how they’ve been elevated to appeals. So many of them took the deal and many of them are gone, and there are still a few that are leaving. So they have very few people.

[00:02:01] Steven:
The big wigs at the IRS said you need to have more cases because they’re backlogged. They’re talking about each appeals officer having a hundred cases. So what they’re saying is you need to get these cases closed. Appeals is where the magic happens, where you can make deals and get cases resolved. This is brand new. This just came out two days ago.

[00:02:32] Steven:
I don’t know if this means appeals is going to make deals good for the taxpayer and get cases resolved, or they’re just going to say no, no, no, and close the case. We’re going to find out. I had an appeals officer yesterday tell me we’re under orders, we’ve got to move these cases along. And that’s not always the best thing for the taxpayer.

[00:03:02] Host:
Yeah, that’s going to be interesting. So we’ll see how those appeals do shake out given that recent development. Speaking with Steven Klitzner of the Law Office of Steven Klitzner, FloridaTaxSolvers.com is where you find out more.

[00:03:18] Steven:
Yeah, there’s no question. We’ve got to know what they’re thinking beforehand. That’s why when I speak to somebody at the IRS, I spend a little time gossiping, finding out what’s going on in the office. I usually get some pretty juicy information before a lot of other people get it, and that really helps us out.

[00:03:40] Host:
Yeah, indeed. Well, you’ve had a lot of experience doing that — many decades of representing taxpayers and helping them with their IRS tax problems.

[00:03:52] Steven:
I see a lot of non-filers come to me. I don’t prepare returns, but I do represent non-filers. Some people haven’t filed in many, many years. Some people haven’t filed this century. They’re trying to stay under the radar.

[00:04:18] Steven:
Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But maybe their best bet is to start this year getting the return filed, getting it paid, and that might be their best way to stay under the radar.

[00:04:38] Steven:
You only have to go back six years. The IRS is really only looking from 2020 forward. If you don’t want to do that, at the very least get 2025 done, pay it, move forward. You can’t keep looking over your shoulder every year.

[00:05:12] Host:
Yeah, so they want to see good faith.

[00:05:16] Steven:
Exactly. And it’s never as bad as people think it’s going to be.

[00:05:18] Steven:
It’s never as painful as people think it’s going to be. I know from talking to my clients over the years. Now, if you don’t have a preparer and you can’t find one, call me and based on your situation — how much money you’re making, how complicated it is — I’ll refer you to a tax preparer that can knock out your return and do it the right way.

[00:05:43] Steven:
You don’t want to go to someone who’s just a tax preparer that makes up numbers and sets you up for an audit. You want to go to an enrolled agent, a CPA, or a licensed tax preparer to get it all done and under control.

[00:06:02] Steven:
Once you get it going, it’ll start snowballing good instead of snowballing bad, which is what’s happening now because you haven’t filed.

[00:06:15] Host:
Yeah. Steven Klitzner, FloridaTaxSolvers.com. The Law Office of Steven Klitzner can be reached locally at 305-682-1118. It will snowball on you if you don’t address it — it just continues to get worse.

[00:06:33] Host:
And you’ve also mentioned that it may not be as bad as you think it might be. Some people think if they come forward they could even be sent to jail. Is that something you see very often?

[00:06:49] Steven:
No, you don’t see it very often, and you almost never see it once people file. If criminal investigation shows up, then it’s too late. That usually happens with high-profile individuals.

[00:07:07] Steven:
But they don’t have the resources to go after everybody. Once you start filing, you’re no longer generally a person of interest. They’re looking for someone they can take to court and convict.

[00:07:26] Steven:
It’s very difficult for a jury to convict someone who has started filing returns. So the sooner you get it done, the better.

[00:07:40] Steven:
I’ve had people come to me who haven’t filed in years but would’ve been entitled to a refund every year. They were so afraid. And you can only get refunds for the last three years.

[00:07:58] Host:
And that’s an important point. I heard a commercial recently from another firm claiming the IRS can come after you with guns and lock you up — scare tactics like that.

[00:08:13] Steven:
Yeah, that’s nonsense. The prisons are not full of non-filers. They’re more concerned with fraud — people making things up, running scams.

[00:08:27] Steven:
They go after bad tax preparers who file false returns, claim fake credits, get people huge refunds, take half the money, and disappear. Then the IRS comes after the taxpayer.

[00:08:48] Host:
That leads to another question. If a tax preparer commits fraud or makes a major mistake, is the taxpayer still responsible?

[00:08:58] Steven:
Yes. If they audit you, they redo the return correctly. You owe the money, plus penalties and interest. Ultimately, it’s always the responsibility of the taxpayer.

[00:09:17] Steven:
If it looks too good to be true — huge refunds you don’t understand — there’s a very good chance you’ll get audited.

[00:09:30] Steven:
And it can bankrupt people. Especially when multiple years are involved.

[00:09:41] Host:
Yeah, and you see this a lot with government employees.

[00:09:46] Steven:
Absolutely. Firefighters, police officers — very close-knit groups. One bad preparer gets recommended and everyone follows. Then everyone gets audited.

[00:10:05] Host:
Again, Steven Klitzner. FloridaTaxSolvers.com. Call 305-682-1118 for a free consultation.

[00:10:18] Host:
We’re about a year into a new administration. What’s the enforcement climate at the IRS right now?

[00:10:29] Steven:
It’s probably less aggressive only because there aren’t as many boots on the ground. Offices have been cut in half — fewer revenue officers chasing the same number of taxpayers.

[00:10:51] Steven:
Morale is low. People don’t feel supported. A lot of employees are retiring early.

[00:11:07] Host:
That can’t help when your job already makes you unpopular.

[00:11:12] Steven:
Exactly. Nobody wants to hear from the IRS. But they still have a job to do.

[00:11:22] Host:
And when those letters start coming, that’s the time to call your office.

[00:11:29] Steven:
Yes. Or even before that. If you know you’re behind, there are solutions — offers in compromise, negotiations — but you need experienced help.

[00:11:48] Steven:
I had a client who waited too long. The IRS levied his bank account and contacted his customers. He lost business. If he had acted earlier, we could’ve prevented that.

[00:12:12] Host:
That’s a tough lesson. So what happens in the initial appointment?

[00:12:18] Steven:
I get the facts. What letters are you getting? What’s been filed? What hasn’t? Sometimes we need to act immediately. Other times we have time.

[00:12:38] Host:
March 15th and April 15th are coming fast. No better time to get right with the IRS.

[00:12:49] Steven:
Absolutely.

[00:12:52] Host:
Anything else before we let you go?

[00:12:56] Steven:
Just have a great weekend.

[00:13:00] Host:
Thank you very much, Steven. Stay warm — or as warm as we get down here.

[00:13:10] Steven:
When it hits 50, we’re freezing.

[00:13:14] Host:
That’s when everyone breaks out their favorite sweater — usually the ugly Christmas one.

[00:13:23] Steven:
Exactly.

[00:13:26] Host:
I better make a few more Happy New Year calls before the noon deadline. Thanks again, Steven.

[00:13:34] Steven:
Thanks, Michael.

[00:13:37] Host:
Steven Klitzner, tax attorney. Law Office of Steven Klitzner, PA. FloridaTaxSolvers.com. Put his years of experience and IRS relationships to work for you.

[00:13:56] Host:
This is Keys Talk 96.9, 102.5 — the talk of the Keys. We’ll return with more of Good Morning Keys in just a moment.